Confession: I watch Mad Men for the clothes and furnishings. In the middle of a very intense scene, I stop focusing on the characters and start zeroing in on the lamps.
Does anyone else do that?
It's true -- lamps from the 1960s and 1970s were glorious creations with tons of character. Fortunately for those of us who love them, vintage lamps aren't any more expensive than their modern counterparts, and many times, they can be purchased from flea markets, estate sales and thrift shops for much less. Antique malls and vintage shops tend to mark up their prices when it comes to vintage lamps, and a pair is definitely more expensive than a single lamp.
I scored this yellow lamp from Hoot and Louise in Memphis. I loved the modern yellow color, and the original shade was in perfect condition. Jonathan inspected the wiring, and as the price was less than what I'd pay for a department store lamp, I brought it home. The amber glass and brass lamp is one of a pair that belonged to my grandma Joan. I believe they were purchased from Ethan Allen in the late '60s or early '70s. During their first life, they were at home in her rec room, surrounded by wood-paneled walls, dark green carpet, awesome '70s artwork and the coolest (and most uncomfortable) vintage floral couch you have ever seen. I loved that room and those lamps from the time I was old enough to appreciate the space (around age 5 or 6). When we sold her home, my mom passed the lamps along to me, and they now live in my living room. I love the brass and amber glass, and the shades that are trimmed in gold velvet and cord. Our living room's white walls allow them to be the stars of the show. The artwork on the wall behind them is also vintage and was snagged from Joan's rec room. She had good taste, and good taste never goes out of style.
[gallery type="rectangular" ids="1778,1779,1781,1782,1789,1784,1786,1787,1788,1790"]
![[gallery type="rectangular" ids="1320,1323,1321,1327,1325,1328,1324,1322,1317,1318,1319,1329"]](http://static.squarespace.com/static/52c58b70e4b0aae36f935911/52d751a9e4b0b8e522fa5db2/52d7527ee4b0b8e522fa65cf/1368872270000/tulips2.jpg?format=original){kind=link}