Frequently Asked Questions
What are your lights made from?
Our lights , pendants and chandeliers are made from American art glass, surely the finest such glass produced in the world today. Supporting the glass we use stainless steel, brass and aluminum formed by us to give strength and endurance to the light itself.
Where are your lights made?
We make everything from basic raw materials right here in our studio in Sandwich, New Hampshire.
Can I buy them directly from you?
Indeed, that is the only way you can buy them. We do not sell to resellers, showrooms, retail stores or galleries. All our work is sold directly from our own studio at wholesale prices to our customers, be they homeowners or corporate hotel chains. If you want to see a list of some of our recent installations, click here.
What if I don’t like these sconces once I receive them?
We have a money back guarantee on our lighting. If you don’t like them, you can get your money back. Click here for details on our guarantee.
How can I mount these lights myself?
If you are handy with some basic tools, there is no reason that you cannot mount these lights yourself. Click here for more information.
Why are your prices so low?
We sell directly to our customers, not through a chain of stores and distributors as most lighting is sold. We make every piece to your order, we have no warehouse full of inventory.
Why are your prices so high?
See answer to above question.
Do I have to be an interior designer to buy your sconces?
No, we sell equally to anyone without regard to who they are or how they found us or what their requirements may be. We are an internet company which means the maximum saving to the customer. Interior designers are always welcome to purchase our lighting. We assume you are reimbursed for your skill rather than by reselling out lighting to others.
Can I get a discount from your listed prices?
Our prices are already at wholesale, so there are no further discounts.
What kind of custom work can I get done?
Most of our glasses are interchangeable, so if you see a light but do not see it in the glass you would like, please ask for it. We also do custom finishes and custom glass. A sk us, we will be happy to see what we can do. For the most part, there is no additional charge for changing the finish. We can also wire for any country in the world and also provide 277 volt lighting for commercial use.
What background do you have?
I have worked most of my life as a designer. See my CV for details if you like.
What is an ADA compliant sconce?
ADA stands for American with Disabilities Act. It is a sweeping bit of legislation enacted in 1991, designed to ensure that people with handicaps are not excluded from public spaces.
Specifically, section 4.4 of the ADA states that "objects projecting from walls with their leading edges between 27 inches and 80 inches (2'4" to 6'8") above the finished floor shall protrude no more than four inches into walks, halls, corridors, passage-ways or aisles."
It is a fact that the ADA lighting requirements gave birth to some unlovely designs. Our job has been to design lighting fixtures that meet the ADA requirements and yet compromise nothing in terms of quality of design. Indeed, this is actually a good size for even non-ADA applications such as home residences. All our sconces that meet ADA requirements (most do) are labeled ADA in the catalog.
What is the significance of an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL Inc.) listing?
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation involved in the safety testing of many products made in this country and around the world. They maintain a series of standards regarding the safe manufacturing of many different products. We hold certification for lighting fixtures. To attain this certification, we had to meet stringent requirements in our materials and method of manufacture of these products. We pay an annual fee for this and are inspected at least four times a year to assure compliance. All our lighting carry a UL label, your assurance that they are sound and well made from a structural and engineering aspect.
Where can I use these lights?
Our lights are all rated to a UL standard for “damp location”. This specifically means they can be used in any interior setting, including the bathrooms, and they may be used out doors under cover. They are not designed to take direct rain impingement.
How high should sconces be mounted?
This is largely a matter of personal taste with a dependence on room height. Generally speaking, they should be no lower than above average eye height so that no on can see the bulb in the mounted sconce. This generally puts the mounting center of the sconce at something like six and one half feet (80 inches). Higher than this is fine provided that the ceiling is not too close. Again, generally speaking, you should have at least a foot above the sconce of free space. Make a rough cut out of the sconce in cardboard, using the dimensions given in the catalog, and try out for yourself where they look the best
How much light will I get from these lights?
There are several factors to consider. First, some glass is more opaque than others, although most of the light will throw down and up, bouncing off the ceiling. Second, the wattage of the bulb makes a difference. Our lights are rated up to 100 watts per bulb which given the efficiency of LED bulbs guarantees maximum light for your use.
Can I buy a specific different lights in a different size or finish?
Generally speaking, the size of our lights is predetermined by our system of masters and molds which we construct for each series. The finishes, however, are interchangeable.
Can I order a custom light designed specifically for my use?
We will be happy to quote prices for any custom work. However, the cost of tooling up for a new lights is not insignificant, and may be prohibitive for just a few pieces. If you are in need of twenty or more, the cost of a new design may be amortized reasonably across such an order. In some cases we can extend the dimensions of a particular pendant or sconce. Please call us to discuss this.
Can I use these lights outdoors?
As stated above, our lights are rated for “damp location only” and as such can only be used outdoors where they will be under cover. This is a UL designation and its application is up to the buyer. Obviously, there are places in the world where direct rain impingement is not really a consideration.
What about halogen or fluorescent lighting or LED bubls?
Halogen, fluorescent and LED bulbs have their uses and liabilities. It is possible to “hard-wire” a light to use any one of these type of bulbs. However, in our opinion, it is much more useful and economical, to buy these bulb types in their standard screw-base configuration, (E26 base) readily available at most hardware stores. These can then be used in any of our lights.
Halogen, a particular type of incandescent bulb, gives a whiter light than standard incandescent and may be easily dimmed. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are available in many different wattages and as they can be screwed into a standard base bulb holder, the wattage may be changed at will. This is not true of hard-wired fluorescent. Fluorescent lamps do not put out a smooth color curve, unlike the halogen and standard incandescent. This can result in some color shifts which may or may not be significant to the viewer. Generally speaking, CFLs cannot be dimmed. LED bulbs are making great improvements lately and are readily available in many colors (warm to white). Look for LEDs made by known manufacturers that are fully dimmable. Note: dimming LED bulbs is a very useful feature, but the dimmer must be compatible with the bulb.
What is the correct height to mount the sconces, pendants and chandeliers?
Please refer to our mounting instructions in PDF format here.