Keep Newel Post Lamp?
We’re renovating an old limestone, and trying to determine whether or not to keep the newel post lamp. Our electrician removed old gas pipes along with cloth covered wire from the newel post to update the electrics, so it now works. It is probably a replacement lamp installed when the house lighting was converted from…
We’re renovating an old limestone, and trying to determine whether or not to keep the newel post lamp. Our electrician removed old gas pipes along with cloth covered wire from the newel post to update the electrics, so it now works. It is probably a replacement lamp installed when the house lighting was converted from gas to electricity. Should we keep it or move on? Any pros and cons from folks who live with newel post lamps would be helpful? Any suggestions on where to find period newel post lamps in Brooklyn would also be appreciated. Cheers!
That is a ceiling fixture. You need a real newel lamp. Newel lamps are a charming feature. Why would you want to eliminate it?
Thanks for all your comments. I think it’s time to shop for a new lamp.
Something like this might look nice too:
http://www.vintagehardware.com/index.php?cmd=product&prodid=25394
This guy sells newel post lamps….
http://cgi.ebay.com/VICTORIAN-GAS-STYLE-NEWEL-POST-LAMP-CUSTOM-/350327377956?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item5191239024
Seller’s name is jfpegan on ebay
That looks like a ceiling fixture that was re-purposed — I’ve had some luck finding antique lighting at good prices at rubylane.com — it’s like an etsy for antiques. If I had a newel post light set-up I’d definitely keep it – it’s very cool.
Some elegant historic newel post lamps can be found for sale (try Google). Yours is modern and not really my style (nor in keeping with that beautiful newel post). If it were in my house I would be inclined to replace it. Our own newel post lamp was replaced by an electrical outlet many years before we bought our house. The contractors always love it, and we find it handy when vacuuming the halls. Personally, I hope to replace it one day with an appropriate finial.
oh and if you dont end up using that light on the newel post, you should use if for a hallway or closet etc. Cute shade.
According to the seller the house was built in 1899, the default date for houses built between 1890 and 1910.
what’s the age of your limestone? The staircase looks sort of turn of the century or late 1800s to me, but can be hard to tell. I really like the idea of a newel post lamp, especially if it’s been there for a long time. That lamp will look a lot more historic with an edison-style bulb in there. With restoration I think it’s important to not over-fancify things because a lot of the early lights were not that fancy, at least to our eyes. Why not leave this one in place, see how you like it, and consider changing it if you decide it doesnt fit?