Heirloom Lamps

Workart !

The early to mid-twentieth century was a remarkable era of innovation, craftsmanship, and elegance, evident in many areas, but especially within the American family home.  U.S. manufacturers designed everyday products like coffeemakers, radios, toasters, and even Thermos bottles, with a timeless beauty.  They built their products to last.  The concept of "planned obsolescence" didn't yet exist.

This incredible quality and styling is exactly what makes these common, everyday, household products the perfect "canvas" upon which to create new and functional works of art - what we call, Workart.

The concept is simple. The process is not.

Most of our Heirloom and Original Design lamps, are handcrafted from iconic products made in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. We are constantly looking for those items that we can re-purpose into modern-day classics.

After researching a product's history, we completely disassemble, clean, and restore each component.  We decommission any parts that can't be used in a modern lamp (like heating elements, for example).  We then develop a design plan for the finished work and integrate key features of the original into it, (an original brew strength knob may become a dimmer control - a toaster lever modified to function as an on/off switch).  We complete the transformation by using only the finest materials available - no shortcuts, and no compromising.  Each of our lamps has our maker's mark and unique serial number.