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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Joanne Dorin | Posted under Interior Decorating
The Functional Romance Of Hanging Oil Lamps
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Today oil lamps may be a great way to create a romantic mood in a room but originally they were the main source of lighting for most homes. Coil oil would have been the farthest thing from romantic back then but perhaps it's much like candle light. Today we also see candles as romantic. After all when we serve that delicious romantic dinner for two what adorns the table? Well candles of course. But it wasn't always like that. In the past candles were also very utilitarian providing the main source of lighting. There's no question that in our modern world the soft flicker of the flame and warm glow in a relaxed quiet setting certainly do produce a mysterious, romantic mood, whether from candle light or an oil lamp. And the good news is you can purchase a new oil lamp for as low as $15. Prices start low and go up depending on maker and quality. And if you are looking to get your hands on an authentic old oil lamp be prepared to pay. But then again these old gems are quickly disappearing and worth every penny. Not only are the antique hanging oil lamps worth collecting they are an excellent addition to almost any dcor. They simply make a very unique statement. The modern lamps burn lamp oil which is almost identical to the coil oil or kerosene burnt in the past. It's just a little more refined so it doesn't smoke quite as bad. You can still use coil oil if you like. You can also buy it in different scents so if you're looking to set the mood give it a try. And for your outside lamps you can buy it with citronella in it which is a mosquito repellant. One way to reduce the smoke and soot your lamp produces is to keep the wick properly trimmed. Before you use the wick the very first time trim the ends of the wick on an angle so that the center is 1/8" taller than the corners. You need to make sure it's even so the flame stays centered. The lamp chimney's get covered in soot which is messy to clean. The best way is to wad up a piece of newspaper and use that to clean the soot. If it needs a really good cleaning you can use warm soapy water and then rinse with hot to avoid streaking, and dry with a cloth that's lint free. To fill the lamp with oil, take the chimney off and remove the burner by unscrewing it. Fill the bowl no more than ¾ of the way, screw the burner back on and adjust the wick so it's just above the burner top. If the wick has never been lit before let it stand for 30 minutes to soak up the oil. Light the wick then replace the chimney. If your lamp is smoking adjust the wick down slightly. Be careful not to lower a lit wick too far into the burner because if it comes in contact with the bowl of oil it is likely to explode. Besides collecting or creating a romantic mood oil lamps are also a great solution for emergency lighting. They are also easy to store both the lamps and the fuel. No worrying that batteries have gone dead. They throw sufficient light to complete household tasks. After all they are what our ancestors used to live by. They'll burn for hours on just one bowl of oil so they are inexpensive and you don't have to have large containers of fuel on hand. Hanging oil lamps have a large captive audience - The decorator, the historian, the collector, the romantic, the patio party host, the weekend cabin getaway planner, well the list could go on. Joanne is an author of Decorz.com. If you're looking for more lighting decor ideas for your home visit http://www.decorz.com. About The Author: |
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