We invite you to come see these wonderful lighting fixtures in person, at our store at 203 F Street, in historic Old Town Eureka.
A bleak future will surely follow our increasing tendency to ignore the non-human world, for which so many no longer have knowledge, interest, or feeling. Realist art of the older, natural world, if done just right, may be able to remind people to start looking again.
Parking is available on the street, in a handful of small city parking lots nearby, and in a large, unmetered lot on 1st Street at the foot of D, three blocks away.
John Palmer, landscape paintings.
Unless you request otherwise, your lighting fixture will come with a crossbar or bracket for mounting to a modern junction box, which we assume will be recessed in the ceiling or wall, its bottom or front surface more or less flush with the surface of the ceiling or wall. If you would rather we provide an old-fashioned, three- or four-footed iron or steel mounting foot which screws directly through the lath and plaster into a ceiling joist or wall stud, or if you intend to install to a pancake junction box, please let us know! The contour of some canopies will not cover a pancake j-box, and the inner pipe of your pendant or chandelier may have to be shortened slightly to attach to either type of surface mounted hardware, as the outer tubing of the downrod may not be long enough to allow the canopy to slide down the additional half inch or more.
You can also pick up their free 114 page publication at our store!
Here in Old Town youll also find Old Town Carriage Company prepared to give a good old fashioned clip clop carriage ride through Old Town. Its a really fun way to have just a bit of a tour guide experience. They park just across the street from our shop. Or call local historian Ray Hillman, for an in-depth historic tour of our fair city. .
There are so many wonderful places in which to enjoy the outdoors here, in these lovely small coastal towns, in the redwoods, in the hills and beyond. In Arcata youll discover the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, an awesome place for bird watching and strolling or bicycling. And Arcatais where youll find the Redwood Community Forest, conveniently located next to Humboldt State Universitys campus. the coast just a bit further north is gorgeous Trinidad, a small fishing town where several fabulous bed and breakfast accommodations may be found. While in Trinidad be sure to take a walk along Moonstone Beach, one of my favorites, and visit Moonstone Grill
John Palmer, Redwood Creek, 2008
mogul – an important, powerful person, a steam locomotive with three pairs of drive wheels, a bump on a ski slope, a member of the Mongolian Tamerlane dynasty that used to rule India, OR great big light bulbs and their sockets, used in traditional floor lamps (a.k.a. mogul lamps, six-way lamps) and torchiere lamps, usually high wattage, watt three-way, as opposed to ordinary, medium-base, Edison sockets and regular light bulbs.
If you have eight foot ceilings, you may consider the lights in our chandeliers catagory for over your dining table, as many of them can be shortened to 24 or so. Elsewhere, you can shop the flushmount category, for fixtures that mount flush to the ceiling or hang no lower than 16 (for a minimum clearance of 68 (80).
Cube Rock below Kahustadin, oil on canvas.
Did you know that you can also have an amazing Dr. Hauschka facial right here in Old Town, Eureka? Barb MacTurk is a licensed Dr. Hauschka Skin Care esthetician, with a studio just three blocks from Old Town Square, on the fifth floor of the Commercial Building at the corner of 4th and E Streets. I can personally attest that this is an absolutely luxurious and nurturing treatment. You can reach her by phone at .
If these people arent reporting and commenting on it, it isnt happening!
Located in beautiful Humboldt County, on the Redwood Coast of Northern California, Eureka boasts an abundance of music, local art and community theater, great shopping and dining, historic architecture, and access to some of the worlds most breath-taking natural wonders — rugged coastline and sandy beaches, tall trees and nature trails, wetlands and wildlife, mountains and rivers. In nearby Arcata is Humboldt State University. And throughout the area, from Fortuna to Trinidad, there are charming Bed and Breakfast and hotel accommodations.
I feel that the old rule of thumb, that a chandelier should hang down to a height of 30 above the table, is too low for most homes today. If the top of a dining table is 30 high, give or take an inch, this rule would place the bottom of a chandelier at only five foot high. While this might be fine for a formal dining room in a traditional setting, where family and guests enter and immediately sit, and stay seated until they rise and leave the room, today, many have a dining table more integrated with the rest of the home, and often socialize in a more informal way, standing in the kitchen or around the table, and talking to one another across the table. I am 62 tall, and in order for a chandelier not to be in my face, interfering with making direct eye contact across the table with another tall person, it needs to be a little higher than that. Some say that we are taller than our eighteenth century counterparts, due perhaps to better nutrition. Also, our modern incandescent and flourescent lamps both are much brighter than the candle, oil lamp, open-flame gas and early electric lighting of over a century ago, when a luminaire had to be hung as low as possible to give enough light down at table level. Therefore, in most situations, I recommend that a lighting fixture be sized to hang down to 6 (72) high over the table or kitchen counter or bar, or at the most, to 58 (68), if the visual mass is not the lowest portion of the fixture. This means a fixture 24-28 long from an eight-foot ceiling, 36 long from a nine-foot ceiling, 48 long from a ten-foot ceiling, etc.
Old Town Antique Lighting proudly featuresthe work
For bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms especially, consider bead-chain fixtures, with beautiful shades from the 1930s-early 40s. There are many lovely vintage shades available, which we sell mainly with new fixtures, either solid brass (polished and lacquered, or nickel plated and polished), or steel (which are cheaper, but susceptible to rust). If this is the type of fixture for you, choose the shade you like (letter suffix), and the type of new fixture you want (solid brass or steel) and its finish (brass — polished and lacquered, brass — plated with nickel and polished, brass — with applied finish of paint and/or tinted lacquer; or steel — unfinished, or steel — with applied finish). Applied finishes include antique brass, oil rubbed bronze, coppery chocolate, satin black, antique gold, etc.) Note, these fixtures have just one light (60 watt max.), hang only about ten inches from the ceiling with shade, are not very expensive, and can be changed up easily by acquiring alternate shades (seasonally, when you tire of that color, etc.).
Winter Morning, Kailuwtadin Flat, oil on canvas.
The easiest way to measure the height of your ceiling, requires a 1 wide, retractable tape measure. Pull it out a few feet and, bending it over, put the end on the floor. Repeatedly pulling out more tape, advance the bend in the tape upward until it touches the ceiling. If you cannot read the tape at that height, grasp both legs of the bent-over tape and lower it down to eye level to get your reading.If you are math-challenged, think only in terms of inches, not feet — it will be so much easier.
My painting pushes me to look and to see and feel more. The better I see, the more I seem to be able to locate compositions that may cause or suggest this shift in perception and feeling. If my work can communicate or suggest some of these perceptions, I will have some success, and viewers of my paintings may get a glimpse of something real and perhaps meaningful to them.
The arts are alive and well in Humboldt County! Heres your guide to art and culture in Humboldt County.
Entertainment, Where to Stay, Shopping, Dining, Activities, Culture & History.
Old Town is situated between Highway 101, which becomes 4th and 5th Streets in Downtown Eureka, and the Waterfront, with its newly renovated Boardwalk, facing Woodley Island Marina on Humboldt Bay. Youll find our store right in the heart of Old Town, on the corner of 2nd and F Streets, kitty-corner from the gazebo, fountain and pigeons of Old Town Square. Next door, we have the best coffeehouse in town; three blocks away is one of the areas many great microbreweries; there are restaurants and unique shops on every block; and at the foot of 2nd Street, just seven blocks away, stands the finest example of Queen Anne architecture you are ever likely to see.
Official Travel Site of Humboldt County, Home of the World Famous California Redwoods.
Chandeliers, gaseliers, candelabra, oh my!
To determine the proper length of your lighting fixture, we need to know the height of the ceiling where it will be installed, and whether it will be an overhead light or hang over a table (or kitchen counter or bar). Well also need to know whether the ceiling is level, or sloped (a.k.a. pitched, cathedral).
Alternatively, a wooden, wedge shaped block can be attached to your ceiling at the point where the pendant or chandelier will be installed, to provide a level point for its mounting. This can be textured if necessary and painted to blend in with your ceiling, and would mean your gas or early electric fixture would not have to be altered from its original design. A half-inch deep, surface mounted pancake junction box could be screwed to the bottom surface of the wedge, for a respectable installation by todays standards. Talk to your contractor or handyman about the feasibility of this approach in your situation.
While visiting Humboldt County, youll find a wealth of possibilities for things to see and do. The area features miles of unspoiled coastline, and awe inspiring, old growth redwoods — the largest trees on earth. The wild and scenic rivers are a wonderful way to experience the outdoors from an amazing perspective. Youll find unique and lovely towns and communities along the North Coast, all with interesting history, wonderful specialty shops and great choices for dining. There are lots of great resources for more information. Here are just a few:
In addition to the large selection of chandeliers, pendants and sconces you see pictured here on our website, youll also find floor lamps and table lamps, lovely fabric lampshades both fancy and simple, antique as well as new glass lighting shades. Prominently featured on our south wall is an art exhibition, by a different local artist each month; prints by local artists are also offered. And on the airwaves, classical music.
For dinner in Old Town, and Eureka in general, we have several favorite spots. Again, beginning here in Old Town our favorite sushi place is definitely Bayfront Restaurant, located at One F Street. One, hows that for an address? Try their sushi specials, there are a number of them and theyre ALL great. Weve never felt motivated to order anything else off of their menu, though they have lots of other options, including an Italian menu. On F Street as well, though this ones a short drive, rather than walking distance, but oh, so worth it, is Brick and Fire Bistro
Free weekly and outstanding web journal of people, politics and art. For news and opinion, see also
Fun things to do while in Old Town Eureka might include a stroll on the Boardwalk, and a cruise along the bay on the Madaket, which happens to be the smallest licensed bar in the state of California. The Madaket is also the nations oldest passenger ferry. Check it out at
I find, as perhaps do others, that when I can feel Im a part of this larger, older world, it gives depth, meaning, and comfort to me, far beyond what most of civilization offers.
The restoration of our vintage lighting fixtures and lamps, and our Lamp Repair Service, is performed on site, so bring along your lamp or lighting fixture that needs attention. Or be prepared to help us design your reproduction or custom lighting fixture on the spot. And if its a new lampshade for a table lamp that you need, bring along your lamp if possible, to ensure that we find you a shade of suitable size and style, and the right harp, that makes your lamp lookjust right.
Please inquire about the possibility of hanging a certain fixture in a particular location in your home, before ruling it out based on its length or design.
Affordable, antique lighting fixtures in many styles, circa 1885-1945. Chandeliers, pendants, sconces. Victorian, Craftsman, Art Deco & more.
If live theater is what you like, there are several different theater companies in the area with performances going on as often as not. Here in Eureka youll find The North Coast Repertory Theater Redwood Curtain The Humboldt Light Opera Company In Arcata, Center Arts the university affiliated group that hosts wonderful performances throughout the year. And Blue Lakes Dell Arte Theater not be missed for hilarious, often musical, original physical theater with lots of local flair! Ferndale Repertory Theater yet one more venue for great theater, in the Victorian village of Ferndale, slightly to the south.
Most of the chandeliers and pendants pictured here, can be lengthened or shortened or otherwise modified to be suitable for most ceilings. Often, we can offer to shorten a piece at no extra charge, or lengthen it for a modest surcharge, or make a fixture that was designed for a level ceiling, suitable for installation from a sloped ceiling.
If a fixture you are interested in, hangs on a chain from a deep canopy with a blind stem, here we would also recommend switching to a relatively flat, or low-profile canopy, so that such a stem would not protrude from the canopy at a weird angle, before the chain hangs plumb from that point.
Late Autumn Ridge-Light, oil on canvas.
Motivation towards Contemporary Realist Painting:
Though we are rapidly eliminating the habitats that created us and most of us now live in cities, we are still the ancient creatures that evolved to live in those wild places. With our instincts pretty much intact, it would be surprising if we did not still have inborn skills for many levels of perception, especially of the environments in which we evolved. Its likely that we all have vivid, direct perception of these realities when very young, but the world of symbols and artificial values intercedes to cause many of us to forget to look or to substitute symbols for reality. I remember spending immeasurable segments of time as a young kid, absorbed in the colors in a butterflys wing, the inside of a wildflower, or the light in the woods. As more or less a grownup, this shift to direct perception is much diluted visually and emotionally. I am often reminded of it, though and have spent much of my life looking closely at everything. Friends and family have long been rolling their eyes as I point out the amazing characteristics of this or that. I am often surprised at how little so many seem to notice.
Be sure while in Old Town to check out The Carson Mansion, an amazing example of American Queen Anne style, built in 1884-1886. This is according to Wikipedia, where youll find The Carson Mansion on the main page for Victorian Architecture.
Old Town Antique Lighting, corner of 2nd & F:
Dr. Hauschka employs a genuinely holistic approach to the balance and overall health of the skin, which is effective in nurturing all skin conditions. The quality of the raw ingredients is unsurpassed, and adheres to the highest and most stringent European standards. This holistic approach, and the organic, biodynamically cultivated and wildcrafted ingredients used, are part of what I appreciate about this very special skin care line. I also just love the way my skin feels, using these clean, luxurious formulations.
Join us for Arts! Alive, from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month, a gala arts walk in Old Town and Downtown Eureka. Every gallery, store and restaurant that showcases the work of local artists is open, the artists whose works are on exhibit are usually present to talk with you about what they do, refreshments are sometimes served, live music can often be heard, and hordes of happy people of all ages stroll from place to place, soaking in the scene and seeing a lot of great artwork. Visitors to the area who love the arts and the best of small town life, would do well to plan their trip to coincide with this monthly, year-round, rain-or-shine event.
Next Arts! Alive: Saturday, June 2, 2018
There are of course many many more wonderful place to dine in the area, be sure to pick up a copy of The Journals Menu of Menus when you arrive in the area (available on the sidewalk, right outside our door).
for fine dining with the most fabulous views, especially at sunset. Hiking Trinidad Head is something not to miss, an amazing oceanic hike right at the waters edge. Patricks Point State Park is not much further north and haswonderful hiking trails. Wedding Rock is my favorite spot at Patricks Point. Fern Canyon can be found still a bit further north and is a favorite day-hike, located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The ferns and canyons are some of the most incredible youre ever likely to see.
Looking for a career where I could continue roaming the wilds I earned a Bachelors degree in forestry at Colorado State University. Later, in Northern California I got a Master of Arts degree in biology and vegetation ecology at Humboldt State University. While in graduate school I also took many art courses and designed and built my own large oil-fired kiln and a wheel and was a professional potter for some years. In the years since then I have been teaching art and science at our small, mountain school and painting, while helping to raise our kids, developing and working on our homestead farm, and exploring the local mountains. In addition to this art education and experience, I have absorbed the classic landscape painting instruction of John F. Carlson, and have studied landscape painting with Stock Schlueter. Since 2001 I have had twenty-some solo exhibitions and have won nine awards in group and juried exhibitions.
My development as an artist has proceeded in a somewhat unconventional way. I come to my work from a deep connection to, and understanding of my subjects. When I was four my family moved from the city to the country, where I completely and permanently immersed myself in the natural world. My mother, an artist, encouraged this and in lieu of kindergarten I did natural history studies including formal plant and insect collections and artwork relating to these subjects under the supervision of a neighbor, Dr. Julian Steyermark, curator of Chicagos Field Museum. All through grade school and beyond, my passion was exploring the woods, creeks, lakes, swamps and old fields of my rural Illinois surroundings, looking closely at everything. My mother was my school art teacher through eighth grade; a thorough art background was mandatory.
Eureka is also home to an outstanding community orchestra, The Eureka Symphony performances in the beautiful Arkley Center a block or two from Old Town.
lamp – the thing that makes light, as in a light bulb. OK, Im going to follow common usage, and reserve lamp for portable luminaires, i.e. table lamps and floor lamps, such as…
If you have a sloped ceiling, and are in love with a gaslight, gas-electric combination, or early electric pendant or chandelier, some modification will have to be made to your fixture, to allow it to hang plumb from a ceiling that is not level. Remember, gas lighting required plumbing; the iron pipe bringing gas to a chandelier came out of a level ceiling at a right angle to the ceiling. (A gas light that hangs from a chain is the easiest bogus reproduction to spot!) Such a fixture can be modified to have a loop at the top of its down rod which can interlock with a loop on a low-profile canopy, or can be joined to a loop on the canopy with a single link of chain. Or, an adjustable, brass swivel can be interposed between the top of the downrod and the canopy. However, either method will spoil somewhat the historic authenticity of such a fixture.
We try to make all our products a cinch to install. Just let us know what youve got, so we can make sure you get what you need!
I try to find the light that creates engaging compositions that also strike me with the emotional and perceptual intensity that I first experienced as a child. I spend every available moment hiking the local mountains, looking in all my favorite places for that light, and trying to paint it. In painting I strive to capture an encompassing interpretation of a landscape, broadly informed by my scientific understanding of the botanical, ecological and geological elements along with my lifelong observational experience and emotional connection. I like to think that my work might give viewers a glimpse or reminder of common but increasingly often overlooked moments when they may reconnect directly and emotionally with the natural world.
Considering relocating to the North Coast? Check out this recent article from Sunset Magazine, Apparently, Eureka is one of The Wests best places to live — Entrepreneur? Artist? Raising a family? Behold: the Wests best spots to suit your lifestyle.
pendulum – a weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing back and forth, OR a pendant lighting fixture suspended on a chain, immediately after an earthquake, seriously.
Of course, we hope that when you visit the north coast of California youll find the opportunity to come in and check out our amazing collection of vintage lighting fixtures, local art, and other great stuff… here in the heart of Old Town Eureka, on the corner of 2nd and F.
We went there for my birthday this year, and everything was delicious and perfect, great wine selection, best beet and goat cheese salad weve ever had, super gourmet pizzas, among other things. The creme brulee was really fabulous too. For terrific local seafood, our favorite place is The Sea Grill, with a large selection of seafood dinners, huge salad bar, and a full bar. Our favorite place for casual fare, fish and chips specifically, is Gallaghers Irish Pub. Their reuben sandwiches are our teenagers favorite. Practically next door to us on Two Street (as the old-timers call 2nd St.), there are mouth watering steaks at the Oberon Grill Of course, Kens favorite thing at the Oberon is the historic chandelier! Our favorite dinner place here in Old Town is 511. Conveniently located just across the street from us.
If your fixture is to hang overhead, we feel it is necessary that it hang no lower than 80 (68), the height of a standard door jamb, and we would generally recommend at least 84 (7) whenever possible.
For more information about Dr. Hauschka Skin Care please feel free to contact me Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., at , or find much more information and inspiration at their website,.
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care is a full line of skin care products, ideal for a complete skin care regimen. There are some, however, who find that just one or two of these special formulas will meet their needs. Of the hundreds of women (and men) Ive spoken with over the past several years who are thrilled with the results they find using these wonderful products, I think virtually all of them would say there are at least one or two must have, cant live without it, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products.
Right next door to our shop youll find Old Town Coffee and Chocolates with wonderful freshly roasted coffee, sweets and free internet available. Yesterday we had a fabulous breakfast at Cafe Waterfront, on the corner of 1st and F Streets, a stones throw from the boardwalk. One block down 2nd Street, the best bagels and fixings can be found at Los Bagels, multicultural bagel bakery and cafe: In addition to the best bagels, they have delectable pastries; my favorites are the corn lime cookies and the chango bars, not to mention the best Mexican hot chocolate. In this same neighborhood youll also find Ramones cafe which boasts great coffee and pastries.
oflocal landscape painter,John Palmer.
Speaking of Old Town, this lovely little shopping district features several art galleries, antique stores, unique shops and terrific restaurants. Some of our favorite restaurants are all right here in Old Town. Lets begin with coffee and breakfast.
There are several great lunch spots here in Old Town that we really like, though we usually brown bag it. Just a couple blocks away youll find the Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe a great place for burgers (made with local, grass fed beef) and should you happen to need a cold one to go with that, their beer made right there on site is very fine, with many different brews to choose from. If what you want is delicious satisfying Mexican food, you cant go wrong with Chapala Authentic Mexican Restaurant margaritas, enchiladas and tacos, oh my. And if you just need a couple of slices, try Smugs also right up the street for yummy pizza. My favorite Italian place for lunch is Mazzottis tasty Italian sandwiches and more. Our all time favorite place for lunch though is Cafe Nooner. This is a terrific place for burgers, salads sandwiches soup, wine, beer, and then some, quality food, great service.
Excellent guide to shopping, dining, etc., specific to our neighborhood… Old Town – Eureka!
Great calendar of events and links to more resources.
Having used Dr. Hauschka Skin Care myself for over a decade, and having sold the line in a different venue for as many years, I am now pleased to offer Dr. Hauschka Skin Care here at Old Town Antique Lighting, in Eureka.
If youre driving north on Hwy 101, turn left on F Street and go three blocks; if youre driving south on Hwy 101, turn right on F Street and go two blocks. Were right there at the stop sign, on the right, at the corner of 2nd and F.
If your ceiling is at least ten feet high, it is helpful to consider a general rule of pleasing proportions, that a lighting fixture should hang one-third of the way to the floor. To follow this guideline, from a twelve-foot ceiling, a fixture would hang 48 to a height of 96 (8); from an eleven-foot ceiling, it would hang 44 to a height of 88 (74); from a ten-foot ceiling, it would hang 40 to a height of 80 (68). I think most with a ten-foot ceiling, however, would be happier with a fixture 36 long, that hung no lower than 7 high, especially if they are fairly tall.