Copper gas and electric lanterns - fall in love with lighting again

Here are some great reasons to get "off the beaten path" with gas or electric lanterns lighting:

1. Power choices to suit any tastes or concerns. Everybody loves the natural look of flickering light - but does it always have to be natural gas? Absolutely not!

So those of you in California or drier climates who would never dream of buying a gas lantern for fear of starting a fire please read on!.

While these lanterns are often called gas lanterns because of the history and tradition of how they are made, electric power is perfectly suitable for these lanterns. In fact, when used with a dimmer switch and premium light bulb the lighting put out by an electric lantern is almost indistinguishable from that of a gas powered lantern.

2. Choose from many styles and sizes. There really is something for everyone with the different sizes and styles of copper lanterns. You can find the traditional French Quarter style lanterns as well as some newer styles like the Lakeview with look great on modern homes. Or if you live in a coastal area and are hunting for the nautical look check out the Tudor Cottage lantern which looks straight out of the colonial central Atlantic region.

3. Natural colors and wear. In today's increasingly "green" world why not choose a beautiful natural color metal like copper? Copper lanterns make a great alternative to pained lanterns which will eventually flake and rust.

When placed outside these copper lanterns will age naturally and develop a "patina" over the years which means it will develop a slight green color. But if you like the nice shiny look don't worry - just buff up the lantern ever so often and you will look as good as new.

So what are the best uses for a copper gas lantern?

1. Hang them from the ceiling. We call it a "yoke bracket" where it hangs from the ceiling on a circular iron bracket. You can also dress it up with a "ladder rack" that extends out from the sides of the lantern. This is by far the most popular of the New Orleans gas lantern designs.

2. Mount them on a wall. You can mount copper gas lanterns directly to an exterior or interior wall directly. This will be called a "flush mount" application.

3. Mount them on a bracket. This will really allow you to have some fun. Check out the different types of brackets. You can read more about this in a later module.

4,. Mount them on a post. Post mounted lanterns are simply beautiful. You can mount them on a wooden or steel post like those you see on the street corners in the French Quarter. Or you can mount them on a wall or fence where we might call them a "column mount" but it is essentially the same thing.

5. Put them directly on your table or desk! Are you ready for a truly "eye catching" addition to your furniture or office? We are now making lanterns (electric of course) that have a lamp switch built into the cord so they can sit directly on a desk or table. This creates a truly unique look that you can enjoy every time you sit down and your guests and family will truly admire it.

6. Put them in the bedroom or family room. Mount a gas lantern or 2 in your bedroom, hook up a dimmer switch and crank up the Barry White! We have done several installations where customers put a pair of lanterns over the head of their bed with dimmer switches and they look really terrific.

1. Standard brackets. These are pretty basic brackets that extend a few inches from the wall and serve to keep the lantern off the wall. This means you will be able to see the light from all sides of the lantern though and produces better light than a "flush mount."

2. Gooseneck Brackets. Now these are seriously dressy! It has an elegant swooping neck that dips down and holds the lantern well off the wall. These are considered the most formal bracket by far. The gooseneck is the one you see in this photo.

3. Scroll bracket. These brackets have a circular scroll on either the top, bottom or both. They are very flexible and can hold most any type of lantern.

4. Mustache bracket. Feeling a little French? A mustache bracket, or better yet a double mustache bracket, will really make your lantern look like it came straight out of a French cottage.

At the risk of sounding cheesy when you buy a gas or electric copper lantern from a company like ours you are supporting jobs in the US. These lanterns are made by hand in manufacturing facilities right here in the US. And the craftsman who build them have years of experience in the art of building these lanterns by hand.

So skip the cheaper import versions that fall apart and buy the best quality lanterns you can find on the market.

Flambeaux Lighting builds copper gas and electric lanterns with classic New Orleans style! We are located in the metro New Orleans area and offer a full line of outdoor and indoor lighting options to suit almost any style and budget.

We have a true passion for copper lighting - we consider each lantern as a work of art and want everyone to truly enjoy them as we do. Even if you aren't looking to buy a lantern we hope that through our participation you may better appreciate the craftsmanship next time you pass one on your way to someplace!

You can visit our website www.FlambeauxLighting.com or reach me via email Andre@FlambeauxLighting.com.