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Antiques, Collectibles, Lighting. Lamp Shades, Light Globes, Chimneys & Parts.

Archive for the ‘Decorating Ideas’ category

Memorial Day – a Patriotic US Holiday – Loyalty & Support of Country

May 19th, 2013

Memorial Day, Monday May 27, 2013 is a very special National Holiday meant to remind us of the sacrifices of all the Men and Women who have served in the United States Military, and the many who Sacrificed their Lives so that we could be free.

Free to live and work where we choose, speak our mind freely, and be safe in this exceptional Country, the United States of America.

Patriotic Red White and Blue Hen on a Nest with Stars

Patriotism is an important part of our Freedom. Surround your children with reminders of those sacrifices and methods of respect. The photo above is just an example of how that can be done with Patriotic symbols in Red, White, and Blue on all sorts of objects.

Use them to decorate for Memorial Day Cook Outs, Picnics, and Barbecues.

Inspire Pride in your country. Turn that family get-together into an Honorable affair.

This is a time to teach our children about the sacrifices of all the military men and women who have served our country. Show them how to show our gratitude by Honoring our Veterans and the Soldiers who paid the ultimate price of their life. And how we should also honor their bereaved families, orphans and widows by visiting Cemeteries and Memorials to adorn the graves of those soldiers with flags and flowers.

We should also be honoring our Veterans with a Handshake, a word of Thanks, Cards and Letters. Teach your children to extend a helping hand to the wounded disabled veterans and their families, in any way they can.

To show our support, we can fly the American Flag at half-mast until noon, attend a Military Service at our local cemetery, Keep silence for a minute during the National Moment of Remembrance and learn to understand the meaning behind holding your hand over your heart during the National Anthem and the meaning behind Taps as they are played.

Let’s put Pride of Country back into our Culture.

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Posted in Collectibles, Decorating Ideas

Go Green on Earth Day – Recycle a Pre-Owned Lamp or Light Shade

April 21st, 2013

Today is Earth Day, a day of awareness for creating a eco-friendly, healthier environment for future generations.

My Dad's Danish Modern Tulip Tension Pole Lamp

Recycling pre-owned lighting keeps it out of the land fills. It also enhances the beauty of your home. It instills a sense of value to the history of past generations, their interior design and decorating. It’s a great method for teaching your family to appreciate Antiques or Family Heirlooms, various Art Work, and Trade Skills.

With just a bit of searching in local area shops, or on the internet for “Antique Lamp Shade”, “Vintage Lamp Shade” or “Collectible lamp shade”, you can discover great shapes, styles, materials, and colors. Earth colors are very popular right now, greening your home in shades of ivory, tan, browns, golds, greens, blues will enhance your decor.

A search for a specific Style, such as Danish Modern, Mid Century Modern, Victorian, 1920s, 1930s, 1950s etc will show you an endless array of terrific used, stylish lighting for all types of decor.

Even using a new lamp with a old shade, or vice versa will benefit Mother Earth, and keep nice old pieces out of the trash and add some stylish history to your life.

Here’s a few ideas:

If you are into Danish Modern like I am, you probably like Floor or Tension Pole Lamps, or Hanging Swag Lamps, and you will want to hunt for Threaded shades to screw into those light fixtures. My Dad’s gorgeous Danish Modern tension pole lamp with Tulip Blossom Shades and Teak Wood leaves graces our bedroom. The green shade is cracked, so if something should happen to it, I could quickly change the entire look with white or orange shades. Threaded shades were made in a number of shapes and colors and with some searching, they can be found.

I also love these Art Deco Style Shades made of Clear Glass, partially painted white, with their geometric designs. They are great for vintage bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens.

Or maybe you love the old Colonial Kerosene Oil Style Student Desk or Table Lamps. My Mother broke the shade on hers several years back, and quite by accident we found another just like it, probably made during the 1970s. There are so many of these lovely lamps that have been knocked over and had their shades broken. The lamps are still beautiful and in working order, but no longer have a shade. You can find lots lamps without shades and plenty of both new replacements and old original shades.

Spend Earth Day and Every Day watching for interesting, useful and eye pleasing items of all types that you can recycle. Help keep usable things out of the landfills and turn them into treasures.

You may find the following Lighting Replacement HOW TO Articles helpful:

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Posted in Decorating Ideas, Replacement Lighting

Tags: 1950s 1960s Art Deco Collectibles Danish Modern Earth Day eco-friendly Green Home Decorating Ideas Light Shades Lighting Lighting Replacement pre-owned Re-cycled Replacements Vintage

Add Challenge to your Glass Collection with Fenton Mulberry Jacqueline

February 25th, 2013

Collecting Cranberry Glass has been one of our passions for over 20 years now. We have pieces of Italian Murano and Bohemian Czech Glass made in Europe, plus lots of American made in U.S.A. Art Glass from a variety of Glass Companies.

Fenton Mulberry Jacqueline Rose Bowl Vase

We have collected and sold Pilgrim, Mosser, Indiana Glass, Tiffin, Fenton Glass, LG Wright, Stevens & Williams, Northwood, Imperial, Anchor Hocking flashed, Pyrex, Aladdin Mantle Lamp Co, US Glass, West Virginia Glass, Buckeye, American Glass Co, Fostoria, Kanawha, Rainbow, Viking, and Morgantown. I’m sure I probably missed some companies.

The other day Richard came home with a harder to find Fenton Mulberry Jacqueline Rose Bowl. The Jacqueline pattern and Color Combo called Mulberry made in the late 1980s.

This isn’t a true piece of Cranberry Glass, because it is made from several colors. It is a difficult process, with the Blue Bottom made first, with the color changing to a purple or lavender, the changing to a deep raspberry or cranberry color at the top rim. It is an absolutely gorgeous piece of glassware and looks beautiful with Cranberry Glass.

Unfortunately, we just can’t keep all this beautiful stuff, so our loss may be your gain. If you or a loved one collect Fenton Glass, you should be able to find an endless array of fabulous patterns and pieces to treasure.

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Posted in Collectibles, Decorating Ideas

Tags: American Art Glass Collectible Collectibles Cranberry Fenton Glass Glassware Home Decorating Ideas Jacqueline Mulberry Rose Bowl Vase Vintage

Mid Century Modern Laurel Mushroom Lamps are Classic Minimalist Décor

January 22nd, 2013

While watching METV one night, they were advertising the Dick Van Dyke Show with Mary Tyler Moore in a living room comedy scene. The room was decorated in Mid Century Modern, using oranges and yellows. Sitting near the window, was a beautiful, bright yellow Laurel Mushroom lamp.

Replacement Lamp Shades for Laurel Lamps

The Mushroom Lamp was made by the Laurel Lamp Mfg. Co. Inc. of Newark, New Jersey in the 1950s to 1970s. It was made in elegant, sleek, smooth lines, with a squashed round pillow shaped Mushroom Shade shade in a frosted satin matte finish. Laurel Lamps were made as wall, table and floor lighting in several varying shapes. One table lamp has a base shaped similar to the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and holds the mushroom shade or a inverted Teardrop or Acorn shade.

I was so intrigued with this lamp, that I went searching for replacement shades, as I just knew there had to be plenty of vintage lamps out there without a shade. I found brand new ones, they are neckless, made exactly like the originals and could be used in any lamp or light fixture with a neckless shade attachment. These shades would be fabulous used as hanging swag lamps or light pendants.

If you love the minimalist décor, this Mid Century Modern style will compliment and add a warm ambiance to any room.

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Posted in Decorating Ideas, Replacement Lighting

Tags: 1960s Collectible Collectibles Glass Lamp Shade Home Decorating Ideas Laurel Lamp Shade Laurel Mushroom Lamp Shade Lighting Replacement Mid Century Modern Minimalist Decor Pendant Lighting Vintage

Prepper Emergency Survival Preparedness Supplies – A Christmas Gift Idea

December 10th, 2012

If you have ever lost your electricity for an extended period of hours or days, due to Tornadoes, Hurricanes, or Snow Storms in your area, I’m sure you can appreciate the value of Kerosene and Oil Lamps to fall back on for lighting.

Prepper Disaster Emergency Survival Lighting Supplies

Beautiful Decor which Doubles as Disaster Emergency Survival Supplies.

In view of the many disasters in our country over the past few years, Preppers have been preparing for any emergency. Food, water, and medical supplies are thought about first. But once the lights are out, the realization hits that those lovely Kerosene and Oil Lamps
purchased as Vintage Decor can be truly useful survival supplies.

When not in use, you can enhance your decor by adding beautiful Glass Shades. When the lamp is needed, the shades come off to provide plenty light. If you are preparing, you need spare Chimneys because they get broken and other Parts such as mantles, wicks, spare burners, and shade holders, among other things.

Another simple form of light can come from Candle Sconces on the wall or Candle Holders. Two nice ways to protect the flame from drafts is to use Hurricane Shades or Glass Cylinders. Cylinder Sconces are a current Danish Modern decorating trend.

It can be an adventure to experience past life as it was before electricity, as long as it is temporary. And you can add charm to an evening around the fireplace.

Add a sense of warmth and comfort, knowing you are prepared for any electrical outage. Disaster Emergency Survival Preparedness Lighting Supplies make great gifts for your favorite Prepper or your own Family.

You may find the following Lighting Replacement HOW TO Articles helpful:

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Posted in Decorating Ideas, Replacement Lighting

Tags: Aladdin Aladdin Lamp Alladdin Alladin Burner Chimney Disaster Emergency Emergency Survival Preparedness Supplies Equipment Essentials Flame Spreader Gift Ideas Kerosene Lamp Lighting Mantle Oil Parts Prepare Preparedness Prepper Products Ring Shade Holder Shade Supplies Survival Tools Tripod Wick

Classic Historical Industrial Pendant Lights Enhance Minimalist Decor

November 29th, 2012

The classic charm of industrial design is in its simplicity in appearance and ease of cleaning. Bare sockets and stripped-down parts act as functional historical Industrial Age ornamentation, resulting in a fixture and shade both timeless and contemporary, appropriate for any space in your home.

Industrial Style Pendant Lighting Fixture

Industrial Style Pendant Light Fixture

Industrial pendants were originally marketed with other drop-cord fixtures as “electrician’s supplies.”

Today, those who appreciate a minimalist style will find this type of pendants enticing above tables, bars, and counters in the kitchen.

They are also fabulous in a corner reading or handwork nook, above a game table, or above your laundry or work bench.

These fixtures were once common in areas with no wall light switch, and a turnkey socket was a necessity. If your room has a wall switch, leave the turnkey in the “on” position and you can just control your light at the wall.

This is an easy way to direct light to the exact spot needed, change the color focus of your room, or completely change the era of your decor.

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Posted in Decorating Ideas, Replacement Lighting

Tags: Classic Historical Home Decorating Ideas Industrial Lighting Lighting Replacement Minimalist Decor Pendant Lighting Pendants Lights

Living Green with Recycled Useful Collectible Lamps and Lighting

July 21st, 2012

The Midwest Emporium began with us selling Antiques and used Collectibles, the ultimate in recycling. Eighteen years of experience has made us very conscious of the amount of discarded articles that continue to have desirability and usefulness. These articles can and should be kept out of our landfills.

Old lamp from an estate sale, Restored with different lamp shades.

Recycling is Eco Friendly. It protects and conserves precious resources. We believe it is our responsibility to be conscious of our behaviors and the impact they have on the environment. The Midwest Emporium is committed to responsible behavior and has placed many 1000s of usable products back into service, in homes where they are loved and enjoyed.

Our Green philosophy was handed down to us from the visible remnants of estate sales, plus stories from our Parents, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents who lived through the Great Depression. During the lean years, frugality dictated that nothing that could otherwise be repaired or reused in some way, was to be thrown away. Restoring, reusing, and recycling has always been a part of our business.

Today that philosophy has become embedded in our society. Whether it might be dishes, collectibles, appliances, or lighting, our experience has taught us that older goods are most generally of better quality and durability. Decades of different styles makes recycling an excellent way to accent your decor.

Our largest product line is focused on the repair and reuse of lighting fixtures. Every time a fixture is repaired, one less item ends up discarded and one less product has to be manufactured. These products can also be broken down into 100% recyclable parts. Restoring not only saves energy resources and materials for production, it also preserves much of our American Culture, Art and History.

The majority of our packing materials are recylced, although occasionally we must us something which is not, in order to ship a product to you safely. We recycle all clean packing materials received, such as peanuts, bubble wrap, newsprint and sturdy cardboard materials. Everything that we cannot use, goes to a recycling center in our area. Every effort is made to keep our environment clean.

Why not look for used Lighting which you can restore, to enhance your decor?

You may find the following Lighting Replacement HOW TO Articles helpful:

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Tags: Collectibles eco-friendly Green Home Decorating Ideas Lamps Lampshade Lighting pre-owned Recycled Recycling Replacement Restoration Vintage

Add Warm Vintage Ambiance to your Valentines Day Decor

January 30th, 2012

Vintage Vanity Lamp adds a Warm Romantic Glow

Looking for ideas to enhance a Romantic Valentine’s Day setting?

We recently found a few Ruby Red Flashed Hobnail lamp chimneys which got me to thinking about the past again. My Granny had a 1930s 1940s vanity lamp setting on her Victorian Era Mirrored Dresser with Hankie Boxes on top. It’s mine now, is milk glass with hand painted ivy leaves, and sets on my Grandpa’s bedside table.

I’ve seen many of these old lamps discarded as old and useless. Lighting companies also used the same chimneys of these lamps in wall sconces, chandeliers, and even tension pole and floor lamps.

The base of these lamps came in a variety of shapes, some scalloped bottom, some with beads around the edge, other with just a round rim. Some were plain white, some had painting in the candle holder bowl like bottom. They came with many difference chimneys, most were White Milk Glass in raised patterns with hobnails, diamond quilted, swirled ribs, and just plains with varied tops. But many were Handpainted or Decorated with Decals in an endless array of Florals. Others were made in Clear or Tranparent Colors
also in a variety of patterns.

The Ruby Red chimney could be used in many of those lamps, to change the decor for Valentine’s Day, Christmas Decorating or to add desired accents. I tried it in my lamp with a red light bulb, which added a lovely warm glow to the room.

Consider the possibilities for recycling those lamps, keeping them out of the landfill while adding unique vintage touches to your home.

You may find the following Lighting Replacement HOW TO Articles helpful:

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Grape Vines Mean Jelly, Jam, Juice and Decorating Ideas

October 11th, 2010

While picking the last of the Grapes from our vines last week, I enjoyed many childhood memories of our elderly neighbors.

Our house set high on a bank, beside their yard, and from our windows we could see a water pump over their well, a food cellar cave, fruit trees and bushes, a big garden, and 2 very long rows of grape vines.. All us neighbor kids played imaginary games between the rows, and in September, admired the huge bulging bunches of luscious purple Concords.

Mr. Lumsdon took very special care of them, and I remember him picking some off the vine, eating them whole, skin and seeds too. At harvest time, Mrs. Lumsdon made marvelous grape jelly. It was so much fun to watch as she worked over both her 1940s electric stove and her big old Cast Iron cook stove. And I was always fascinated at the wax seal she poured on the top of each jar of jelly.

This dear old couple became our 3rd set of Grandparents. We learned so much from them, while helping Albert pick up the potatoes he dug from the garden, and while watching Mrs. Lumsdon ring a Chicken’s neck, to fry up for Sunday dinner.

I hadn’t really thought about it much until last week while picking the last batch of grapes, but I think that is why I am so fond of anything with grapes or vines on it. They make beautiful Decor while at the same time, bringing me so many special memories.

Grape Decorating Ideas

In 1950 Westmoreland Glass began making an extensive Pattern line of Paneled Grape and Beaded Grape Milk Glass dinnerware, planters, vases, candy jars, decanters, and serving pieces. White compliments anything, brightens any room.

About the same time, Anchor Hocking, Federal Glass, and other glass companies were adding raised grapes patterns to their Punch Bowls, and Snack Set Plates and Cups.

You’ll find them on Pyrex Bowls, Pottery, Decorative Plates and Jewelry too, just to name a few. Another gorgeous accent is the 1950s to 1960s carved stone bunches of grapes made with plastic leaves.

And etchings of grapes have been used on all sorts of glass, including Lighting.

Grape Etched Hurricane Shades

Candelabras, Candle Holders, Wall Sconces and Chandeliers are gorgeous with new hand blown and etched hurricane shades in Crystal Clear or Cranberry Flashed Glass.

One little touch can add so much!