Back in the day...

In the days when houses were heated by a centrally located wood stove and the walls had little if any insulation, it could get quite cold sitting next to the radio while darning socks. In the late 20's and early 1930's, electric parabolic heaters became all the rage. These personal space heaters would provide comforting heat wherever it was needed. 

Starting life as a parabolic heater, this vintage piece now casts a reflective warm glow from the Edison  bulb. With the inefficient and outdated heating coil replaced with a new-  vintage look - light fixture and period style, cloth covered wiring , this lamp is certainly unique. When re-purposing this funky piece we carefully preserved the aged patina, especially noticed on the heavy bronze base.

Bronze Based Parabolic Lamp $299

This lamp started out life as a parabolic heater from the art deco period (circa 1930's). With the polished reflector, the vintage look - Edison bulb - casts excellent light.

We carefully removed the antiquated heating element and replaced it with modern, new electrical lighting components that are manufactured to current safety specs, but have a vintage look...such as the cloth covered cord.

Check out the original art deco design on the cast base. it is hard to believe that it has survived intact after 80 years.

As usual, this unique, one of a kind "art deco" lamp is a Puffin Design original.


Art Deco Parabolic Lamp $299

Smoke Stacks Welcome us to Spokane!

Yes, we love Spokane, another jaunt down to our favorite stomping grounds. This time we'll take you to one of our favorite buildings, Steam Plant Square. 

You can see the smoke stacks from the freeway as you approach the exit to downtown -

 you've arrived!

 Steam Plant Square is a landmark in Spokane. We love this building, it's old bones of pipes, gauges, catwalks and broken concrete speak right to our souls.  A building that it would have been easier to completely gut was renovated and restored keeping some of the inner workings of the plant intact as a reminder to it's first life.  Originally exactly that, a steam plant that produced heat and energy for downtown Spokane, Steam Plant Square is now home to a restaurant, microbrewery, pub, shops and offices.  

Gorgeous tile work in the foyer.

Catwalks and ladders galore!

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How's this for a dining room?

                                  

Our most recent 'inspiration' trip had us touring the building during business hours instead of evening and we saw a lot more this time around. During the day offices are accessible and the stacks are available to view, Alison made sure the door didn't lock behind us so we didn't have to climb out!

                 

Looking up!   Open to the daylight - it'd be a long climb out!

This office is in the coal bin!! The white brick is the bin!

These offices are reached by elevator and catwalk - architect offices of course!

Door covet!

Lit up at night!

It really is worth the visit. Funky, industrial, steam-punk, re-purposed; everything we love, and the food's pretty good too!

For more info on the history of the steam plant in Spokane check out this link!