Schoolhouse lights were initially designed for school use but have become very popular in home interiors over nearly 100 years.
Schoolhouse lights are used in many different types of homes, rooms, and commercial environments. The style comes from early American gas-lit street lamps made with glass globes that had a unique shape—they resembled a schoolhouse building! These bulbs were made to be hung from a height to provide light for streets or buildings during nighttime hours when it was dark outside.
Industrial designer Henry Grand Glass designed the first schoolhouse lights, better known as H.G.F. Many of the schoolhouse lighting fixtures we use today are modelled after H.G.F.'s design, which he created in the 1930s. It was a time when industrial design was beginning to become an influential profession, and H.G.'s work set him apart as one of the most innovative thinkers in his field. Today, his designs are still popular among those who appreciate their simplicity and clean lines.
H.G.F's light fixtures had a round-top milk glass shade and a metal band fastened across the opening at the bottom of the shade for support. The metal band was bound across the opening at the bottom of the shade for support. It was not until later that this style became more elaborate, with scrolls, flutes and beading on the base.
The Schoolhouse look spread quickly around the country, becoming a fixture in many other buildings outside of schools. The government and military were two early adopters of the schoolhouse light, with glass fixtures placed in federal courthouses and army barracks throughout the country. In the late 19th century, as public libraries became more common, glass lights were installed to illuminate reading rooms. Commercial buildings and factories began using glass fixtures for their machinery, creating a functional and stylish atmosphere for workers. Some companies even decorated their factory floors with stained-glass skylights to give employees something cheerful to look at while they worked long hours under harsh conditions.
Homeowners began installing schoolhouse lighting in their kitchens and bathrooms, adding an elegant and industrial feel to their homes. Today, the schoolhouse light has evolved from its educational roots into a popular lighting design for homes everywhere. The style is most often used in kitchens, dining rooms, and entryways. But it can be used in any room that calls for a classic industrial design.
The modern schoolhouse light is generally used as pendant lighting and flush-mount ceiling lights like they were initially designed. Pendants are hung from the ceiling in a room, while flush mounts are mounted directly to a wall or other surface. It's also common to see these lights used with L.E.D. Edison bulbs, especially when paired with a metal cage or exposed hardware, give them an even more industrial look.
Schoolhouse lighting is a style of illumination that uses antique-style light fixtures and bulbs. They are versatile enough to work as both pendant lights over dining tables or kitchen islands and hanging fixtures for hallways. The schoolhouse light is excellent for bringing industrial charm into your home.