Bringing Old Feelings To Light – Meet The Craftsmen
How do you take an old neglected light and make it shine brilliant once again? Meet the craftsmen behind Restoration Lighting Gallery: Paul Dalfino and Dave Poppel—the miracle workers of vintage, antique lighting.
Restoration Lighting Gallery is an exclusive lighting, restoration, repair and shade boutique. The hundreds of antique, vintage pieces you see on display at Restoration Lighting Gallery are from 60 plus years of combined experience and passion for repainting, refinishing, and repairing rare, one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures from all over the world. Dalfino and Poppel take pride in their work and put their heart and soul into every piece. To them, every light has a story and every story is unique.
While Restoration Lighting Gallery is part of the Connecticut Lighting Centers family, the two showrooms are centuries apart. When you step into the Restoration Lighting Gallery showroom, you will be transported to a different world. It is the emotional side of the Connecticut Lighting Centers family. Each piece has history and sentimental value. Poppel and Dalfino bring those old feelings to light.
Dalfino and Poppel have worked as a team for over 16 years and have made a reputation for themselves creating lighting from keepsakes and family heirlooms. Poppel is the “Dave of all trades” having mastered blacksmithing, welding, building custom furniture and restoring old houses and barns. Dalfino has been in the business of restoration since he was little, who helped his father with his own restoration business. Restoration and repair is their passion.
A vintage camera that was turned into a light. A vintage golf bag that was turned into a floor lamp. A once champagne bottle now an elegant desk lamp.
“We also love to create unique lighting using objects you wouldn’t expect –from violins, sneakers, saxophones to a Harley Davidson motorcycle seat”, says Dalfino.
“We don’t like to say no. We’ll make a light out of anything! In the end, it’s about bringing a story to light,” added Dalfino.
With Dalfino’s and Poppel’s expertise, Restoration Lighting Gallery has also completed numerous restoration projects through out Connecticut and New England. Some local projects include Hartford City Hall, Old Connecticut State House, Yale University, Mohegan Sun Casino, and various historic churches and homes through out the state.
The passion they bring to the table is unsurpassed. They are the masters of their craft. They bring a whole new feeling to lighting. Visit Restoration Lighting Gallery’s web site to learn more.