The Guild: Steve Kaniewski of Brass Light Gallery
A niche in historical lighting.
Since starting Brass Light Gallery nearly 50 years ago, Steve Kaniewski has been perfecting light fixtures that fit the homes of his customers.
The company has long been known for its simple, well-made replicas suited to the Prairie School and Arts & Crafts houses common in the Midwest and East. “Now we’re doing a lot of French Norman and other Romantic Revival styles,” says Kaniewski. “Our niche is creating lighting fixtures that look as if they were original to the house.”
Arts & Crafts genres offered today run from Mission to California Bungalow, Craftsman, Prairie, and cottage; find, too, contemporaneous Rustic and Tudor designs. All interior and exterior fixtures are made to order in a restored industrial building.
Some early designs came from specific requests—like the clients in Lake Forest, Illinois, in need of exterior lighting that would pass muster with a strict historic review board. Kaniewski came up with the ‘London’, a dead ringer for that city’s 19th-century streetlights.
Other lines, notably Brass Light’s classical alabaster fixtures, came about by accident. A very knowledgeable alabaster sales rep walked in to kill time. “When he left, three hours later, I was in the alabaster lighting business,” Kaniewski says. Luminous and carved with finesse, these elegant lights are not inexpensive.
Brass Light Gallery does, however, sell many affordably priced fixtures. “All of those older homes, built before 1940…they’re being passed to younger owners. I try to keep the price point suitable for people without big budgets.”
Steve Kaniewski
Brass Light Gallery
Milwaukee, Wisc.
(800) 243-9595
brasslight.com
Mary Ellen Polson is a creative content editor and technical writer with over 20 years experience producing heavily illustrated know how and service journalism articles, full-length books, product copy, tips, Q&As, etc., on home renovation, design, and outdoor spaces.
