Lighting ideas for Eichler & Mid-Century Modern Homes
Light fixtures for most Eichler Homes were originally produced by Lightolier, Inc.
Lighting the interior of Eichler homes was typically achieved thru the use of hanging, stem-mounted globe lights (sometimes referred to as ball lights) placed strategically throughout the home. Interior lighting was then supplemented by plug-in lamps or other light fixtures that could be conveniently controlled from wall-mounted "Quiette" light switches in each room or living space.
Wall-mounted lighting was typically reserved for the exterior of the home. While a few different variations of Eichler outdoor lighting can be found in different Eichler neighborhoods and developments, the most common exterior lights are bullet lights (sometimes referred to as bullet sconces, cone lights or torpedo lights).
Below you will find a few tips on where to find replacement, reproduction lighting for your mid-century modern home. If you have lighting pictures (or lighting vendor recommendations) that you would like to share with others, please email them to ideas@eichlerforsale.com.
Eichler & Mid-Century Modern Home Globe Lights
When searching for replacement ball or globe light fixtures for your Eichler home, there are a number of options available.
First and foremost, the best (and typically least expensive option), is to search for the original lights themselves using a variety of online resources including the Eichler Network Forum, Craigslist and Ebay. Popular search terms to find these lights include "Hanging Globe Light", "Hanging Ball Light", "Mid-century modern hanging light" and "ceiling mounted Globe Lighting". Alternatively, you can sometimes replace the world mid-century modern with either "vintage" or "retro" and find exactly what you are looking for.
Quite often, Eichler owners that remodel their homes will often give their old globe lights to fellow Eichler owners free of charge. Be sure to check the Eichler Network and Craigslist to see if anyone in your area is trying to find a home for their original Eichler lighting!
Secondly, there are a number of retailers that carry globe lights that are compatible with modern and mid-century modern decor. A few of these vendors and their globe / ball light options are presented below:
Progress Lighting carries a number of inexpensive globe lights that are cord mounted. They also offer cord extenders for mid-century modern homeowners with higher, vaulted ceilings. Progress Lighting categorizes these lights as pendants (with a satin white finish).
Love it Lighting sells a variety of ceiling mounted globe lights that are available either stem-mounted or hanging-cord mounted. Additionally, a variety of premium options are available include different finish and color selections for the canopy, globe and stem. The globes are available in various sizes ranging from 6" - 18" in diameter.
You can find contact information for Progress Lighting and Love it Lighting on the Eichler Service Directory page of this website.
Another convenient (and inexpensive) option is available from the Scandinavian retailer IKEA. Ikea sells a ceiling-mounted globe light called the "Fado Pendant Downlight".
This light is stem-mounted and approximately 10" in diameter. The canopy is fairly substantial in size compared to traditional Eichler globe lights, however the light does serve as a cost-effective and readily available option for homeowners interested in preserving the original feel of their mid-century modern home. Product information can be found in the Eichler Service Directory.
Finally, if you want to preserve the mod feel of your home but want a more updated alternative to traditional globe lights, you might want to consider ceiling mounted lights designed by George Nelson (search for "Nelson Bubble Lamp"), Le Klint, Poul Henningsen, Simon Karkow or Richard Hutten.
Eichler-compatible Wall Mounted Lighting
Many retailers and online stores carry wall-mounted lighting however finding wall lights that are compatible with a mid-century modern decor is not always easy. Fortunately, you can usually find original lights from the 1950s & 1960s available for purchase online via eBay by simply searching for "Bullet Sconce", "Torpedo Lights", "RetroBullet Light" or "Cone Lights".
If you are interested in buying new, Swivelier of New York makes a number of different bullet lights. Swivelier made many of the original lights found on mid-century modern homes and their torpedo shade light and cone shade lights are extremely popular with mid-century modern design enhusiasts.
Swivelier has a variety of wonderful and customizable lighting options available which compliment a modern or mid-century modern home extremely well. Their torpedo and cone lighting can be ordered as either a single or double canopy. Additionally, a variety of custom finishes are available including brushed aluminum or brushed satin (pictured right), silver aluminum, black and white.
Contact information for Swivelier Lighting can be found on the Eichler Service Directory page of this website. They have excellent customer service and very reasonable lead times for special or custom lighting orders.
If bullet lights aren't quite what you are looking for, there are many other options availble. Other lighting options that are popular with modernists include wall mounted cylinder lights, up/down can lights, and wall-mounted globe or ball sconces. These lights are typically very easy to come by either online or at any local lamp or lighting store.
Light fixtures for most Eichler Homes were originally produced by Lightolier, Inc. 
Wall-mounted lighting was typically reserved for the exterior of the home. While a few different variations of Eichler outdoor lighting can be found in different Eichler neighborhoods and developments, the most common exterior lights are bullet lights (sometimes referred to as bullet sconces, cone lights or torpedo lights). 
Eichler & Mid-Century Modern Home Globe Lights
If you are interested in buying new, Swivelier of New York makes a number of different bullet lights. Swivelier made many of the original lights found on mid-century modern homes and their torpedo shade light and cone shade lights are extremely popular with mid-century modern design enhusiasts.
