A grand chandelier lights the main sanctuary in the Rocky Hill Congregational Church. From circa 1890, this chandelier was originally fit for oil burners and was called “The Great Church Light” by Isaac P. Frink, the inventor of the best silver-plated corrugated crystal glass reflectors available at the time.  Around 50 years ago, the fixture was wired for electricity and had since been untouched. The Rocky Hill Congregational Church, with its large clock tower, has been a beloved town landmark for over 200 years. In celebration of this, the church has begun a number of renovation projects, including the repair and restoration of their Great Church Light.

Restoration Lighting Gallery was contacted to take on this project. Bringing it back to light seemed only a dream for the congregation, until the skilled craftsmen at Restoration Lighting Gallery paired with a team of professional electricians to transform the chandelier into a majestic beauty. The restoration was completed in an incredibly short period of time and the chandelier was reinstalled on a brand new lift system, provided by Restoration Lighting Gallery, in time for the Rocky Hill Congregational Church’s Easter Sunday service.

“The restoration was really well done - it was timely and professional and our congregation has responded positively. This was perfect for our 200 year celebration!” - Arlene Painter, Church Director

“This is a great example of a multifaceted project coming together successfully to completion. The coordination of electrical contractors, glass manufacturers, and our superior craftsmen couldn’t have fallen together better. A project of this magnitude would have taken several months to complete under normal circumstances and we did it in a fraction of the time.” - Mark Okun, General Manager of Restoration Lighting Gallery

When it comes time to renovate your home or business, finding the right team really makes or breaks the project.  When it came time to shed some new light on Masse's Ocean Bar and Grille in Chicopee, Massachusetts, they called in the experts at Restoration Lighting Gallery in Hartford, Connecticut.  Mark Okun, General Manager, helped this family-owned and operated business create the exact look they were looking for with made-to-order chandeliers, wall sconces, porthole lights and more.  Watch the video below to explore the project with WFSB Channel 3 Better Connecticut's host, Kara Sundlun, Restoration Lighting Gallery's General Manager, Mark Okun, and Masse's Owner/Manager, Patrick Goff.

Restoration Lighting Gallery and Connecticut Lighting Centers together have a unique synergy that allows us to help businesses, interior designers and homeowners bring their ideas to light.  Click here to read more about the lighting design and consultation services we offer.

"I want to hang a decorative mirror over the fireplace in my living room, but can't find what I'm looking for anywhere!" 

Is this a phrase you've uttered before?  You're not alone.  Maybe you're looking for the perfect mirror to hang in your dressing room or a mirror to make a small dining space look larger, but your searches leave you empty-handed.  We often have customers and interior designers come in who are frustrated because they can't find that "perfect mirror" they've been hunting for.

When decorating your home, we know how tough it can be to find exactly what you're looking for, whether it's the size, shape or frame.  That's why we are now offering a made-to-order decorative mirror service.  Simply select your frame and size from the options at our showroom and we'll do the rest.  If you're interested in ordering a decorative wall mirror that will fit just right over that fireplace - or anywhere in your home - please visit our showroom, send us a message or give us a call at (860) 493-2532.

If you're looking for an old original mirror or picture frame, make sure you take a look at our selection of vintage and antique mirrors and frames.

HARTFORD, CT  May 2011 - Thousands of individuals across the country are celebrating National Preservation Month.  Small towns and big cities are holding events ranging from architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fundraising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities.  “Celebrating America’s Treasures” is the theme of this month’s celebration, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Restoration Lighting Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in National Preservation Month. Our Lighting Restoration Team is eager to restore and preserve lighting treasures, whether its a family heirloom passed down through generations or a beat up chandelier discovered in your attic or at a flea market. With over 80 years of combined experience, Paul Dalfino and Dave Poppel are expert restorers of historic lighting fixtures of every design and scale. Along with restoration services, we offer a conservation service for individuals and businesses that wish to maintain their lighting fixtures and lamps. By evaluating the needs of each fixture, our Lighting Restoration Team takes great care to preserve original finishes and original details.

Do you have vintage or antique lighting fixtures or lamps that you no longer want? As a part of our effort for preserving and celebrating America’s treasures, we are always on the lookout to salvage old and unique lighting from residential or commercial properties and will even rescue light fixtures from buildings prior to demolition or remodeling. We are experts in evaluating the value of your vintage or antique lighting and we will pay you for your lights.

Please contact us if we can assist you with your preservation project.

Watch this video to learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.

We just finished restoring a pair of vintage lamps at Restoration Lighting Gallery that you have to check out. Who can’t use an extra table lamp or two? They’re great for end tables in the living room, an entryway console, or what about as accent lighting in the kitchen or bathroom?

Besides being functional, lighting is also a major design element, “illuminating” your personal style. Not to mention, vintage lamps are great collectibles that will last a lifetime. Each has been professionally restored back to its original beauty and are as stylish as ever for today’s interiors. Show off your good sense of style with “new” vintage lighting such as this pair of c. 1930 Cut Emerald Cased Glass Table Lamps:

This professionally restored Classical style pair of antique table lamps features beautiful cut emerald cased glass with nickel accents. Each measures 24″ H x 6″ W. Shades and finials are not included. We recommend a 17″ shade for each lamp, and 1 mogul base 3-way bulb is required for each lamp.

Call us at (860) 493-2532 if you are interested in buying this pair or if you want to learn more. Due to the fragility of these lamps, they will require special care for shipping.

Did you know that updating your lamp shades makes the most impact on a room's design for the least amount of effort & expense?  It's true, but there is more to finding the perfect lamp shade than what meets the eye. With over 1000 shades in stock, let our shade experts help you find the perfect shade for your lamp and home. Bring in your lamp for the perfect fit or shop shades online to spruce up your decor.

• 1,000 lamp shades in stock
• From basic shades to made-to-order, we have the perfect shade to complement your lamp
• Bring in your lamp for a perfect fit & get a free safety inspection while it's here!
• We carry mini chandelier/wall sconce shades

Browse our shades by clicking on one of the images below:

Asian-influenced lighting, furniture and decor are perennial designer favorites. We have several beautiful restored antique and vintage lamps, vases and home accents in the store that were inspired by Asian design. 

• Check out this snapshot from inside the Restoration Lighting Gallery Hartford showroom!  This is just a small sampling of the Asian-inspired collection on display.

These Asian-influenced lamps and decorative items are absolutely timeless!

Click the photos to read more about each piece.  Please note that shades and finials pictured on the lamps are not included. Bring your lamp in to our store at 167 Brainard Road in Hartford to select the shade and finial that is just right for you.

	This Asian style champleve urn features its original beautifully colored enamel patterns and dragon head handles.  This 19th century brass lamp is a great complementary home accent.		This gorgeous 19th century Asian bronze candle holder will demand attention in your home with its lotus blossom designs, bright colors and unique shape. It has an engraved enamel collar and has floral patterns filled with bright shades of green, yellow, red, white, blue and pink enamel.
	This eye-catching finial is not vintage, but will accent any vintage lamp beautifully (see lamp above).  It features an Asian-inspired cinnabar fan with a highly detailed bird and flower design.  It sits on top of a polished brass base and will add a splash of color to your lamp.		This early 20th century vintage lamp features a Satsuma designed pottery base with Asian characters decorated in a relief painting style called moriage. Moriage is a special type of raised decoration used on some Japanese pottery in which clay is squeezed from a tube onto the finished piece.
	This unique champleve urn table lamp from circa 1920 is decorated with carved Asian-inspired designs. The copper champleve carvings are accented with green, white and blue enamel. This early 20th century antique piece has been carefully restored to its original beauty with new electrical components by the skilled craftsmen at Restoration Lighting Gallery.		This eye-catching floor lamp features an Asian-inspired antique red painted dragon ash tray from 1919. Made in Bridgeport, CT, it is an extraordinarily rare floor lamp and has been carefully restored to its original beauty with new electrical components by the skilled craftsmen at Restoration Lighting Gallery.

Isn’t it rewarding when you find a unique present for someone? Many people feel uninspired by the offerings at the mall which often leads to mundane gift purchases. However, our vintage candlesticks are a one-of-a-kind gift that are sure to please the recipient. Restoration Lighting Gallery has an extensive collection of vintage candlesticks that are for anyone who loves fine design and decorating their home. These candlesticks really show your friend or family member that you took the time to choose something especially for them. They will be particularly welcomed during the holiday season when the candlesticks can be displayed with festive red candles or nestled into a grouping of greenery on the mantel. Don’t you have someone on your list that these would be perfect for?

Click on the images below to view or purchase at our online store.

These single pressed glass candlesticks from circa 1950 feature a strawberry etched design, a trophy shape and accentuated candle cups.	These vintage glass candlesticks date from circa 1940. The pair has a simple design and stands out with its applied color in hues of red, pink, yellow and ash.
This pair of glass Art Deco influenced candlesticks are dated circa 1940.	This pair of three candle vintage glass candlesticks have a simple and classic design.

One of the best ways to reduce your imprint on the earth is to re-use and re-purpose items.  When you select restored vintage or antique lighting, you are reusing something that may have been long forgotten or unused.  We hand-pick beautiful lamps, chandeliers and sconces and restore them to their original beauty.  Best of all, you are adding interest and character to your home with unique pieces. 

All vintage and antique lighting is rewired to meet current safety standards by our expert staff. 

This video shows our craftsmen in action, restoring a vintage European chandelier from start to finish:

Every light has a story, and every story is unique.

This antique golf bag belonged to our client’s grandfather.  She loved the bag’s vintage style and it had tremendous sentimental value to her family.  She didn’t want it to just gather dust in the attic, so what a clever idea to turn it into a floor lamp!   She brought it to us and we worked together to design this one-of-a-kind floor lamp. Now she has a great lighting fixture that has true meaning to the family.

Remember that lighting can come in all shapes and sizes.  Every week, we turn beloved family heirlooms into interesting table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and even chandeliers.  Come visit us to learn more, and stay tuned for more inspiration.

Our clients are passionate about their antique and vintage lighting.  Many times a piece is handed down generation to generation, or it’s a purchase from a special antiquing trip. 

Do you have a fixture that you would like to preserve and protect? Bring it in to Restoration Lighting Gallery for a free safety inspection!

We inspect for the following unsafe conditions:

• Plastic cords that can become brittle from heat, age and use.
• Corroded and/or burned out sockets.
• Deteriorating socket insulators.
• Improper operation of turn switches and mechanical parts.

If your fixture or lamp is in need of repair, we have a variety of cord colors and styles as well as an array of socket types. Stop by our showroom to discuss your options with our restoration team.  Their experience in working with antique lighting will ensure that your fixture is not only safe, but looks great!