From Portland to Hallowell, ME and finding a lighting treasure trove
After leaving Portland, we continued on our journey up Route One headed for the little city of Hallowell, ME. We were in search of a lighting store that we were told not to miss. When we found Brass and Friends Lighting at 154 Water Street, we were a bit skeptical looking at it from the outside. However, stepping through the doors was like stepping into a lighting extravaganza, one that I've never experienced before. Brass and Friends has an incredible inventory of quality antique lighting fixtures. Come and see these photos of this most eclectic shop. Believe me, if you're looking for something particular in lighting, you may very well find it here.
. . . .and the road trip continues. Looks like you guys had a great time treasure-hunting! Can't wait for the next episode.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | July 27th, 2009 at 12:13 am
That is lovely. I adore that you find the time to look for unearthed treasures and their retailers who can certainly use your kind mention in these times. Well done!
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | July 27th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Fun! Fun! Fun!
I hope you purchased those Francesca andirons! I have never seen any like those before ... they were meant for your home.
What a great shop.
Could you please let us know which goodies that you purchased? It is always fun to see your "finds".
Your blogger family is enjoying this road trip so much! Thank you for sharing.
~Gloria
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport | July 27th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Wow! Martha!
I'll remember Brass & Friends Lighting! What stories those antiques could tell...they saw it all! Nice if they added an antique mirror collection to mix in with their unbelievable and huge display!
I bet you'll be back!
PS. In pic #5 I want the thing hanging in the top left corner of frame. Looks like a grape cluster with stained glass.
Posted by: tinay | July 27th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Oh, Martha, you should have bought the francesca andirons!! They were perfect for you. When I pass things like that up, I am haunted by them, go back, and they are gone! Where are you ever going to find another pair like that?
Posted by: Susan Kinney | July 27th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I follow you over on Twitter (http:/www.twitter.com/fighthunger) - every day I fight hunger worldwide, and reading your tweets is a small luxury I allow myself. Your tweet with the pic from Bedford http://twitpic.com/btk6i was a real opportunity to escape
thanks
Posted by: Fighthunger | July 27th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi Martha,
I would like to have seen the expressions on their faces when you walked into their store! Surprise sounds too mild, shocked maybe? Anyway, I can see a little bit of Franny in those andirons but I think Franny is much cuter and more curious looking. She has a lot of character in her face and those two look a bit mean. I wonder why the price was higher - because you are Martha Stewart maybe. If it was my store, I would have given them to you! Thanks for another nice adventure but now for some reason, I’m in the mood for dusting!
That was a gorgeous sunrise picture on Twitpic this morning – what a way to wake up. Lucky you! Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 27th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Very interesting shop with lighting in sheer abundance. Do hope you purchased some treasures!
Posted by: sherey | July 27th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
This little store looks like they had everything! I'm sure if one was needing to replace a shade, they'd find it there! I'm glad it was well worth your stopping in, off the beaten path!
As you (and regular 'others') can imagine, I spotted those cat andirons right away. I was nodding my head yes incessantly, agreeing with you that you might have to have those too. (And) the Francesca-andirons!...how adorable were they?!!
What a treasure-trove, Martha!
=^..^=
"I'm glad the sky is painted blue and the earth is painted green, and such a lot of nice fresh air is all sandwiched in-between."--Anonymous
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | July 27th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for taking us into the shop. One really would have to stay focused or the car might not handle all the packages carried out and put in it. Andirons are great things and can be used to set things on, such as trunks. See, you could have many sets with Fran and the cats competing for the finest trunk or object.
Did you have a stiff neck or toe sore from stubbing into iron things?
Posted by: Margie | July 27th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
It's so great that you found the shop and that you have mentioned the retailer.
Posted by: Ivory Pearl Interiors | July 27th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Martha,
My mother has had the same lamp in picture # 4 foreground for as many years as I can remember. I would love to know the asking price on that. What an interesting shop. Enjoy your blog every day.Thanks
Posted by: Karen Dacey | July 27th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Martha, It is so wonderful that you blog. It really sounds like you had a great time. Just wanted you to know that my husband Greg built your Salad Table for me and we have been enjoying lots of delicious salads from it. You can see it on my blog. http://www.thecottageloft.blogspot.com
Thanks! Connie
P.S. I luv all of your ideas.
Posted by: Connie | July 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Martha - I went to high school in Hallowell and enjoyed Old Hallowell Days for many years...it was such a treat to see a blast from the past on your site
Posted by: Joanna Stokinger | July 27th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Hi Martha, What a fantastic place to visit in Hollowell, Maine. I love that name. It makes me think of Halloween. They sure did have some great items in that fabulous store. I remember the globe lights used in schools way back when. The andirons were pretty cool and my favorites were the owls with the glass eyes. I like the same globe light that you did. It was beautiful and would look wonderful in a special room. Thanks for sharing this wonderful road trip with us. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 27th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I recently considered buying some newly made animal-fronted andirons. Owls, I believe. Very witchy. And quite cheap. I think I saw them on a New York Times shopping article web link. Well, I didn't get these as I was soon thereafter distracted by a self-contained idiot-proof silk-screen machine. I must look to see when these andirons were in vogue. I would surely remember if ever I'd known anyone who had them. One could design and produce such grotesque figures without much trouble. I (like any other child, I suppose) used to like to pretend that as the fire burned down the last of the coals were lights in a miniature town. How about making andirons to look like houses? At first the houses would be afire with flames seemingly licking through the windows, and then later would in silhouette nicely frame the tiny village.
That shop seems a good candidate for one of those cheesy real-estate virtual tours that one scrolls around. Then those of us who are unlikely to traipse across the country to see it could poke around in the corners on the internets. I see that the glass chandelier pendants there are the same we had in our old turn of the century house. Everyone must have had those. I've always been curious about their provenance.
Poor Hallowell though, if all the other stores are by far less interesting and this special one hides its lights under a dubious bushel-ly facade.
Posted by: jw | July 28th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Martha,
You think you may go back and "splurg" on the Frenchies. Is UPS knocking yet with a Halloween surprise?
Posted by: Chad | July 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Hi Martha:
I have been trying to give you an idea for a feature in Living or on your TV show. I am of the Jewish faith and celebrate a holiday in the Fall, Sukkot. During this week long celebration we commemorate our wandering in the dessert. We build huts called a sukkah, and eat all our meals, and some even sleep in them. I take great pride in my famiy's sukkah. In fact my friends have called it the Martha Stewart Sukkah. I decorate the sukkah with a Middle Eastern flair. It is a respite from our every day life, and a reminder to be thankful for life's simple things. I am sure your audience would love to be part of our heritage.
Martha, whatever your decision, you and your staff are invited to help us build, and share a meal with us. All the best, Nan Klein
Posted by: Nan | July 28th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Hi Martha:
My son & his family lived in the Hallowell area for 3 years and have just moved back to Maryland. Although I am happy that they are home, I will miss the trips to Maine and the smalltown shops as in Hallowell and Wiscassett. I HOPE that you will be doing segments in your new season of programs on your Maine roadtrip. P.S. My grandaughter wants to know if you had lunch at Hattie's in Hallowell!!!
Posted by: Karen Hammond | August 2nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm