Re-purposing Marine & Nautical Lamps to Light Your Coastal Home

Authentic marine and nautical lighting is a top choice to use in your coastal home for many reasons. Quality and classic nautical design are top reasons for choosing marine lighting for today’s interior and exterior home use. Here’s a few good reasons for selecting authentic over replicated lighting for your nautical room and coastal home. Nautical Table Lamps For Sale

Design

The best words to describe nautical lighting design is traditional and classic. Some also refer to ship lights as industrial and even steampunk because of it’s antique heritage. I like to envision the light used during the days of tall sailing ships, or maybe the sleek, highly polished marine lights that once adorned beautiful classic wooden yachts. Some prefer the elegant lights that glistened up the skies at night on board the great ocean liners or the virtually indestructible fixtures that were used aboard naval and coast guard ships. Whatever is your taste and desire, these great old marine lights are in high demand today for home décor lighting and use. Nautical lighting

It's very difficult to replicate the look of a true seafaring ships lantern or light. This takes decades of actual seafaring use to retain this old worn patina, which makes these great old fixtures a top choice for re-purposing into table lamps creating an authentic look to your nautical room and coastal home.

Quality

Marine lighting was created to weather the harsh elements that are a constant threat to mariners and ships that sail upon the vast oceans of our world. These exceptional nautical fixtures have proven to withstand the elements and have been tested through centuries. 

An early 20th century galvanized metal anchor lamp retains a pleasing old black-painted surface. The wire guards protect the 360 degree glass Fresnel lens. The lamp lighting selection toggles between the interior light and the outer light by the upper light switch. You can choose either the upper room light, the interior lantern light or both on and off as desired.

In order to survive harsh seafaring use, manufacturers of authentic marine lighting choose to use the best materials for construction. Though materials like wood and tin were commonly used throughout our maritime history, copper, brass and galvanized metal became the top choices for nautical lighting from the late 19^th century and throughout the 20^th century into modern times. Most authentic lamps and lighting that are available today are of the latter. Aluminum fixtures also became popular during the 1960’s, sometimes replacing the more expensive brass and copper choices. From navigational lights to hanging lanterns, quality production and materials were essential to survival on the high seas! Authentic re-purposed nautical lighting and lamps

This exceptional early to mid 20th century large ship's masthead light features an early re-painted surface and thick glass Fresnel lens. The lamp lighting selection toggles between the interior light and the outer light by the upper light switch. You can choose either the upper room light, the interior lantern light or both on and off as desired.

Price

If you seek to own one of these seafaring artifacts of the past, then you should anticipate that they are going to come at a higher price than the replicated fixtures that flood the decorator market today. Yes, you can buy an inexpensive nautical style fixture from your local lamp and lighting stores, even the big hardware stores have marine style lighting that could suffice, but don’t expect these fixtures to survive in a salted air environment like a beach home. They will rust out and become a fire hazard in short order. Also, aluminum fixtures are NOT a good choice for the salty air environment. These should only be used as an interior light fixture and are a good choice for areas like bathrooms where you may have brushed-steel fixtures. Quality nautical lamps, lighting and accessories.

High quality brass boat navigational lights are used to create this beautiful pair of port and starboard nautical table lamps. These classic design lanterns are new but are manufactured for actual boat navigational use. 

Re-purposed For Today’s Nautical Room and Coastal Home

The truth here is no matter what you do with a newly made light fixture, you cannot reproduce the look of an old seafaring marine light and lantern. This comes from years of exposure to harsh saltwater environment to create this natural oxidized patina. On the flip side, when we produce marine table lamps using new fixtures, we choose to use those made for actual boat and ship use because of quality factors not found in a cheap production examples.

The primary lights that we seek for re-purposing are old navigational lights like port and starboard, bow and stern as well as mast lights. Other marine lights would include anchor and cabin lanterns.

The images below demonstrate what can be achieved by using retired nautical lamp and lighting fixtures, re-purposed into beautiful table lamps and lighting for the nautical room and coastal home.To preview the current selection of authentic nautical ship lights and lanterns re-purposed into table lamps, click on the web link here: Nautical Table Lamps

We re-purposed this authentic brass marine bow light into a nautical table lamp. Features thick glass Fresnel lens and retains a wonderful and pleasing bronze patina. The lamp lighting selection toggles between the interior light and the outer light by the upper light switch. You can choose either the upper room light, the interior lantern light or both on and off as desired.

The lamp lighting selection toggles between the interior light and the outer light by the upper light switch. You can choose either the upper room light, the interior lantern light or both on and off as desired.We re-purposed this authentic brass marine bow light into a nautical table lamp. Features thick glass Fresnel lens and retains a wonderful and pleasing bronze patina. 

Authentic ship's brass 90 degree passageway lights are used here in a Florida Keys homes bathroom.

Looking for the best selection of nautical antiques, marine art and nautical decor? Visit Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery for all of your nautical product needs!

10 Tips for Designing the Perfect Nautical Room for Your Coastal Home

Here are 10 proven winners for creating your very best nautical inspired room in your coastal home. Any or all of these design ideas will go a long way toward the realization of your space. Give these nautical design ideas a try:

1.  Proper lighting plays a key role in any successful space.  For a nautical inspired space choose table and

Vintage aluminum ships window re-purposed into a
nautical mirror. Aluminum 90 degree passageway
lights light-up the space.

.

floor lamps that are functional, not just decorative. Place them near the task at hand. One of the best ways to create that old seafaring look is to select ship navigational and space light fixtures re-purposed into functional lighting. Rewired nautical wall sconces positioned on either side of a bathroom mirror can be very effective. Old re-purposed ship lanterns make great table lamps, and ship pennant lights, cage lights and passageway lights are top choices to light both your interior and exterior spaces.

2. Repetition of your theme will enforce your ideas.  If you are working with the idea of ‘sailing’ perhaps, select a piece of wall art featuring classic sailboats, a model of a sailboat on your mantel or table and navigational chart lampshades on your table lamps. Go a step further and include striped sailcloth on a piece of upholstered furniture. Of course not every element should be strictly about sailing but a good rule is to repeat an idea three times in any space.

3. Nautical colors, textures and finishes are typically borrowed from ships and yachts. Colors that associate well are described as sailcloth white,  pitch black, port red and starboard green and navy blue.  Wood selections include teak and mahogany, oak and maple. Brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, tin and galvanized metal, chrome and nickel finishes, both polished to a high shine or left verdigris for a weathered patina.  Use hemp and nylon line for edging surfaces- including black and navy blue nylon for a distinct yachting presence. Try navigational charts for a wall covering, especially in small areas like a bathroom or dressing room.

4. Dress up your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and furniture by selecting brass or nickel-plated cleats as

Nautical brass cleats can be used as cabinet
pulls,  door handles  and for tieing off lines.

handles and pulls. It’s the perfect look for both hardwood and painted cabinet finishes. Hand-tied monkey’s fist or turk’s head knobs are perfect choices too!

5. Antique sea chests and select antique furniture fit well into the traditional New England style nautical environment. You may also want to consider custom made furniture using retired teak ship’s grates or hatch covers as tops for tables. These are both beautiful, functional and add a lot of character to the room. We’ve also used old ship’s doors, brass portholes and windows as tops for occasional and coffee tables too.

6. Nautical/marine art for your walls can be more than just a print or a painting, though the perfect marine painting can be the focal point in your room. Framed black and white photographs of classic yachts and giclee prints after original paintings are usually more affordable ways to add in quality marine art.

An antique ships wheel is hung above a mantel with a 19th century cased
model of a schooner in the foreground.

7. For other wall art forms, consider a beautiful ships wheel, ship’s name, quarter and stern boards, old oars, a collection of half hulls of old sailing ships, folk and sailor marine carvings of whales and mermaids and even harpoons, representing  the days of whaling and seafaring days gone by. Victorian age sailor’s valentines were brought back from the island of Barbados as gifts for loved ones. Contemporary examples with great detail can be a great choice as well. Also, consider adding in the sound of the ringing of a ship’s bell clock.

A carved and painted wood mermaid is in stark contrast to the
navy blue wall, a perfect art form for a nautical designed space.

A collection of ship in bottles
are displayed"en masse"

8. Be selective when accessorizing your nautical room. We recommend using sextants or octants, spyglasses, on a bookshelf, boxed compasses, small scale models, wood blocks and smaller sailor-made carvings on table, desk and chest tops. Small collections work best grouped together in a tight assemblage.  You will make a stronger statement when they appear "en masse" as each one accents the other.  Think of a collection of ship-in-bottles, antique scrimshaw, or a grouping of items like vintage blocks from sailboats, compasses and other small maritime items placed together on a bookshelf or tabletop. Larger ship’s instruments like binnacles, telegraphs and ship wheels on stands are well suited to stand alone placed in a corner or as a centerpiece.  

9. Always select quality over quantity. A few authentic vintage or antique nautical items are better than a room-full of reproductions and nautical nick-knacks. A little can go a long way.

10. Don’t be afraid to take a photo of your space and ask for advice.  A qualified dealer can assist you with finding the right items to create the perfect nautical environment for your home or office.

Written by Joe Elder of Skipjack Nautical Wares & Rebecca T Larys Interior Design, IIDA located in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. You can visit Skipjack Nautical Wares website at www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com.  

Skipjack Nautical Wares 

& Marine Art Gallery

620 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

www.skipjacknauticalwares.com

757-399-5012
Visit our website for current gallery showroom hours.
Shop our web gallery 24/7!

Sea Inspired Earthenware Creations by Kevin Collins

Kevin Collins holds one of his sea bowls.

Inspired by marine life that survive in the brackish habitats that exist along our Virginia shore, kevin Collins brings to life a unique collection of ceramic (porcelain) creations for your coastal home. The forms take on shapes of modeled bowls with oyster shells and barnicles and shell colored inner surfaces in shades of pink, coral, blues, greens and purples. Kevin's earthenware creations also take on the form of shell lamps, some actually starting with a piece of driftwood with small sea creatures added to the natural surface. His collection also includes shell-designed necklaces and earrings and even individual oyster shell and clumps of barnacles as refrigerator magnets. His designs are endless and we never know what Kevin will come up with next. These porcelain art pieces are functional   art oieces and perfect decor item for your beach and coastal home.

Sea-inspired coral colored ceramic bowl with barnacles.

Kevin's first experience in creating pottery was at the age of 12. He was offered a class in ceramics and discovered that he inspired to working and creating art with his hands. He also was interested in oceanography at a young age and fascinated with ocean marine life and the small sea creatures that lived along the waters edge and could be observed during the change of tides. Low tide exposed a variety of mullosks such as barnacles, oyster shells and welks and crustaceans that survived in our local waters with each ebb and flow and attached themselves to it's coastal surroundings. Kevin selects colors for his creations reminescent of the smooth interior of shells like conchs, oysters and giant clams.

Oyster shell lamp by Kevin Collins.

 Kevin's passion for marine ecology and his skill as a potter led to the design and production of his current ceramic and low-fired earthenware creations. Each sea bowl, lamp or piece of jewelry is within itself a study in marine life. His exceptional marine creations are unique, one of a kind, signed and dated by the artist.


A native of Hanover County, Virginia, Kevin has won numerous competitions and awards for his ceramic works of art. A selection of his ceramic creations were displayed in the front window of Tiffany's, New York. Custom pieces can be created for you and typically takes approximately six weeks to produce.

You can visit and see Kevin's coastal creations in person at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery located along Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia's riverfront (next to the High Street Ferry Landing and basin).  Or on their webstore at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery or go directly to Kevin Collins page by following the link here; marine artist Kevin Collins.

Ceramic oyster magnet vy Kevin Collins.