The Butler’s Pantry – Vintage Light Restoration

When we started the pantry project, one of the tasks on the to-do list was to restore the vintage light fixture. Unfortunately, BHH is chock full of paint-covered light fixtures, and the sconce in the Butler’s Pantry was particularly unattractive.

Primarily, we were not crazy about the color or the chipping paint. But, most of all, I knew that something charming was under that mess. We just needed to restore the light fixture to find it.

After Andy had turned off the breaker, he removed the fixture. He also capped off the wires for safety. (Note: Please consult an electrician if you have any questions or electrical needs in your house. We are not professionals.)  As a precaution, we left the breaker off until Andy reinstalled the sconce.

The sconce contained two parts: the base plate and the arm with the switch.

Using a small screwdriver, I separated the switch and arm from the base plate.

After I had covered the wires with a thick plastic bag (not pictured) to protect them, I coated all of the metal pieces with paint stripper. Typically, I use the crock pot method for paint removal. However, this time, since the project was small and the fixture did not contain too many crevices, I just used stripper. Also, I could not immerse the switch with wires into water.

The paint began bubbling off almost immediately.

It took about three applications in some sections, but all of the paint came off quite easily with a paper towel. After I had wiped off the paint, I buffed the metal with 0000 steel wool.

Although I was happy with the restoration, I felt the sconce needed a couple of new things. For one, the cardboard candle cover was still green.

I could have painted the cover white, but I felt uncomfortable about the flammability of paint on cardboard near the lightbulb. Also, I thought that a simple glass chimney would make the sconce look more polished in the finished Butler’s Pantry.

I found a new plastic classic candle cover and a glass chimney at Antique Lamp Supply. (Note: If you need period-specific lighting parts for your house, I highly recommend Antique Lamp Supply. They have a wide variety, and they ship lightning fast.)

Andy reinstalled the sconce on the pantry wall, and it looks beautiful.

This simple DIY was such a low effort/high impact project. I love projects like this one. Once again, the sconce is the jewel of this room. The before-and-after is quite striking.

I cannot pin down the exact date for this light. I had hoped to find a proper manufacturer’s date on the back, but unfortunately, there was nothing.  During my research, I did find a few sconces that looked similar. Based on those findings, I believe that this light fixture is likely a Colonial sconce circa 1900-1910.

Tell me about the lights in your house. Would you have restored this light or replaced it altogether?