{"id":4925,"date":"2020-09-25T13:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T12:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bespokelights.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4925"},"modified":"2021-02-25T15:41:59","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T15:41:59","slug":"vintage-schoolhouse-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bespokelights.co.uk\/blog\/2020\/09\/vintage-schoolhouse-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"SCHOOLHOUSE LIGHTING"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Schoolhouse lighting, with its classic, vintage appearance, evokes a style that is as charming and effective as it was over a century ago. With timeless good looks these hard-working light fittings are both functional and attractive, and offer a great way to add some retro flair to interiors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The traditional Sofia pendant<\/a> from our Monaghan Lighting Collection. This fitting has the traditional rod suspension and opal glass shade. Made in Ireland in solid brass and shown here with the antique finish<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, what exactly do we mean by schoolhouse lighting? This style of lighting was created back in the 1920\u2019s. It was a practical, utilitarian form of lighting with an industrial Deco vibe. Schoolhouse pendant lights<\/a> were commonly seen hanging in public buildings such as Government offices, libraries, court houses and of course, school classrooms. Characterised by their distinctive milky white glass shades which had a curved, tapered profile flared at the top with a pointy bottom. With the bare bulbs being hidden inside these well rounded, opaque shades they cast a soft ambient light over a wide area. School house pendants were usually hung from the ceiling on solid rod supports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Sofia pendant<\/a> shown here in gold polished brass. Other finishes include antique silver, satin brass and the antique brass option shown above.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although the schoolhouse style of lighting began life in commercial and administrative settings it quickly became popular for lighting at home too. Fast forward a hundred years and there are now both traditional and modern interpretations of these versatile lights designed to be used in a variety of spaces. Pendants are available with rod or chain suspensions, along with flush fitting ceiling lights<\/a>, wall lights and even multi-arm chandeliers with schoolhouse style shades for lighting in larger rooms. Although the milky white shades are more traditional some of the modern interpretations use clear glass to champion the on-trend bare bulb lighting look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This 1920’s style Schoolhouse pendant<\/a> is another offering from our Monaghan Lighting Collection. It has a solid brass fitting on a link chain suspension with a classic rounded milky white shade<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Stowe schoolhouse pendant<\/a> is from UK lighting manufacturer David Hunt Lighting. An updated look yet still displaying all the key features of this style of lighting. The metalwork is in satin chrome and is teamed with a clear blown glass shade perfect for showcasing the vintage filament bulb.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Here we see David Hunt Lighting<\/a> Stowe island pendant<\/a> with its 3 schoolhouse style lights shown with hand blown smoked glass shades. Just perfect for a vintage lighting look over kitchen islands and breakfast bars.

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The Schoolhouse wall light from our Monaghan Lighting Collection shown here with the gold polished brass metalwork.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Schoolhouse lights are extremely versatile and can be\nused in many interior settings. The pendants make wonderful entrance hall\nlights. Hallways are sometimes quite small and narrow and it can be challenging\nto find lights that work well in these spaces. A small schoolhouse pendant or a\nflush fitting ceiling light is a great option for smaller hallways as it will provide\nample light without being too intrusive. Vintage schoolhouse lights are very\nmuch at home in traditional properties, particularly those built in the 1920\u2019s\nand 1930\u2019s, and larger schoolhouse pendants look stunning in more spacious\nentrance hallways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Schoolhouse pendant<\/a> is a great option for lighting in this small entrance hallway and stairwell where is provides a good spread of light.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pendant lights<\/a> are frequently used for lighting over dining room tables and kitchen islands. A larger multi-arm schoolhouse chandelier is an excellent way to provide characterful, glare free illumination over a big table in a dedicated dining room. The utilitarian style of the schoolhouse light fittings works particularly well with kitchen appliances, making the pendants just perfect for lighting over kitchen islands, breakfast bars and in utility rooms. These busy, hardworking areas require lights that are both robust and attractive. Schoolhouse lights tick all the boxes \u2013 they are easy to clean, will fit most ceiling heights and spaces, have fully enclosed shades to protect the bulbs and are in keeping with both traditional and modern kitchens and dining areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The David Hunt Lighting Stowe ceiling bar pendant<\/a> shown here in the antique finish metalwork with classic opal white glass schoolhouse shades.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A decorative 3 arm schoolhouse style chandelier that can be used in larger entrance halls and stairwells, for lighting over dining tables or as a sitting room light. The Clones light fittings are made in Ireland. A larger 5 light chandelier and contract lighting versions are available. The same Clones 3 light ceiling fitting<\/a> is shown below in the gold polished brass finish.
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Schoolhouse lights add a nice retro touch to bathrooms too and look stunning with free-standing bath tubs in more traditional bathrooms. Choose from bathroom safe pendants and wall lights to provide a good spread of glare free light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Anath range is a dedicated collection of IP44 schoolhouse light fittings that can safely be used in bathrooms. Pendant lights (above), wall lights and flush fit ceiling lights (shown below) are all available in a wide choices of finishes. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n