Lights, Going Up!

Industrial-chic, oversize wall sconces can be made from repurposed elevator indicator lights.

- Brian D. Coleman

Bret Hodgert, who owns Old Portland Hardware in Oregon, has always been fascinated by elevators. He explains that historic floor-indicator lights were often works of art in brass or bronze and glass. Most of them disappeared as buildings were renovated and elevators updated. Whenever he finds an old indicator light for sale, Bret buys it to add to his collection. He’s repurposed them as vanity mirror sconces and home-theater lights—he even mounted one outside a bathroom to show when the room is occupied! He also installed a pair of Art Deco-style indicator lights in his own den, replacing the wall sconces.