Dowling Residence Historic Lighting Restoration
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Grand Light has begun the restoration of thirty three historic lighting fixtures from a private residence in Hartford, Connecticut. The residence was originally built in 1924 for a lawyer named Mr. Sage. It is a stone rendition of the Colonial Revival style and was designed by the Hartford firm of Smith and Bassette, who designed many of the best stately houses in Hartford at that time.

The house did not stay in Sage's hands for very long. It was purchased by a man named M. Allen Swift in around 1930, and he had the house until he died in 2005 at the age of 102. Swift was the general manager of the M. Swift and Sons, a precious metals company in Hartford which was responsible for the gold leafing of the State Capitol dome when it was constructed. Swift was locally famous for driving around town in the green Rolls-Royce that he received as a college graduation present from his father in 1928. The home is currently undergoing a renovation.

The fixtures being restored include sconces, pendants, and a chandelier from different areas of the home. While the specific scope of restoration varies per fixture type, each fixture will have its finish either restored or cleaned, and then preserved with a UV resistant lacquer top coat. The fixtures will be rewired using UL listed components and HIPOT tested as a final step in their restoration.

After only a few weeks of hard work, Grand Light's team of restoration artisans are in the final stages of the restoration of thirty three historic lighting fixtures from a private residence in Hartford, Connecticut.

The fixtures come from a large Colonial Revival style home which was built in the 1920's, which until recently was occupied by a locally well-known businessman. The home is currently undergoing a full renovation.

All fixtures were disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. Some fixtures were stripped of their original finish, buffed and polished, and in other cases the original finish was cleaned and preserved to maintain the fixture's historic charm. Original components were repaired and reused when possible . All fixtures were rewired in accordance with UL standards.

Upon completion the fixtures were thoroughly inspected and hipot tested. The fixtures were then carefully packed and shipped back to the Dowling Residence where they recieved final inspection and approval.

After completing the first phase of restoration from a private residence in West Hartford, Grand Light has begun restoring two more lighting fixtures from this residence. A billiard light and post lantern will undergo complete restoration, as well as modifications. Both fixtures will be stripped of their original finish, buffed and refinished. Original components of the billiard light have been repaired and refinished to an antique brass finish to give the fixture a historic luster. The shades were repainted green with a high reflectance white interior. The post light has been walnut blasted and is ready for refinishing. After stripping the paint we discovered brass elements, which will be polished. The refinished fixture will have a mix of brass, and black painted components. Finished components with UV resistant lacquer top coat.