Derek Marshall decorative wall sconces and lighting fixtures FAQ page

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are your sconces made from?
Where are your sconces made?
Can I buy them directly from you?
What if I don’t like these sconces once I receive them?
How can I mount these sconces myself?
Why are your prices so low?
Why are your prices so high?
Do I have to be an interior designer to buy your sconces?
Can I get a discount from your listed prices?
What kind of custom work can I get done?
What background do you have?
What is an ADA compliant sconce?
What is the significance of an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL Inc.) listing?
Where can I use these sconces?
How high should these sconces be mounted?
How much light will I get from these sconces?
Can I buy a specific sconce in a different size or finish?
Can I order a special sconce designed specifically for my use?
Can I use these sconces outdoors?
What about halogen or fluorescent lighting?
What is the correct height to mount the sconces?
What's the best way to answer any other questions I may have?

1. What are your sconces made from?
We use a variety of materials for our sconces. The ceramic body is a proprietary formula we have developed which has a special micro-crystal component for great strength with light weight. Other sconces are made from American art glass, surely the finest such glass produced in the world today. Finally we have the wrought iron sconces by David Little with art glass lenses. Click here for more data.

2. Where are your sconces made?

We make everything from basic raw materials right here in our studio in Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA. David Little’s studio is a few miles away in Meredith, New Hampshire.

3. Can I buy them directly from you?

Indeed, that is the only way you can buy them. We do not sell to resellers, showrooms, retail stores or galleries. All our work is sold directly from our own studio at wholesale prices to our customers, be they homeowners or corporate hotel chains. If you want to see a list of some of our recent installations, click here.

4. What if I don’t like these sconces once I receive them?

We have a money back gurantee on our sconces. If you don’t like them, you can get your money back. Click here for details on our guarantee.

5. How can I mount these sconces myself?

If you are handy with some basic tools, there is no reason that you cannot mount these sconces yourself. Click here for more information.

6. Why are your prices so low?

We sell directly to our customers, not through a chain of stores and distributors as most lighting is sold. We make every piece to your order, we have no warehouse full of inventory.

7. Why are your prices so high?

See answer to question 6 above.

8. Do I have to be an interior designer to buy your sconces?

No, we sell equally to anyone without regard to who they are or how they found us or what their requirements may be. We are an internet company which means the maximum saving to the customer.

9. Can I get a discount from your listed prices?

Our prices are already at wholesale, so there are no further discounts.

10. What kind of custom work can I get done?

Most of our finishes are interchangeable, so if you see a sconce but do not see it in the finish you would like, please ask for it. Most of the art glass is interchangeable as well. We also do custom finishes and custom glass. Ask us, we will be happy to see what we can do. For the most part, there is no additional charge for changing the finish.

11. What background do you have?

I have worked most of my life as a designer. See my CV for details if you like.

12. What is an ADA compliant sconce?

ADA stands for American with Disabilities Act. It is a sweeping bit of legislation enacted in 1991, designed to ensure that people with handicaps are not excluded from public spaces.
Specifically, section 4.4 of the ADA states that ”objects projecting from walls with their leading edges between 27 inches and 80 inches (2’4” to 6’8”) above the finished floor shall protrude no more than four inches into walks, halls, corridors, passage-ways or aisles.“
It is a fact that the ADA lighting requirements gave birth to some unlovely designs. Our job has been to design lighting fixtures that meet the ADA requirements and yet compromise nothing in terms of quality of design. Indeed, this is actually a good size for even non-ADA applications such as home residences. All our sconces that meet ADA requirements (most do) are labeled ADA in the catalog.

13. What is the significance of an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL Inc.) listing?

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation involved in the safety testing of many products made in this country and around the world. They maintain a series of standards regarding the safe manufacturing of many different products. We hold certification for both table lamps and wall fixtures. To attain this certification, we had to meet stringent requirements in our materials and method of manufacture of these products. We pay an annual fee for this and are inspected at least four times a year to assure compliance. All our sconces and pendant lights carry a UL label, your assurance that they are sound and well made from a structural and engineering aspect.

14. Where can I use these sconces?

Our sconces are all rated to a UL standard for “damp location”. This specifically means they can be used in any interior setting, including the bathrooms, and they may be used out doors under cover. They are not designed to take direct rain impingement.

15. How high should these sconces be mounted?

This is largely a matter of personal taste with a dependence on room height. Generally speaking, they should be no lower than above average eye height so that no on can see the bulb in the mounted sconce. This generally puts the mounting center of the sconce at something like six and one half feet (80 inches). Higher than this is fine provided that the ceiling is not too close. Again, generally speaking, you should have at least a foot above the sconce of free space. Make a rough cut out of the sconce in cardboard, using the dimensions given in the catalog, and try out for yourself where they look the best

16. How much light will I get from these sconces?

There are several factors to consider. First, the glass and glass fronted sconces will throw more direct light than the ceramic opaque sconces which are either up-light or up-down lights. Second, the wattage of the bulb makes a difference. Most of our sconces are rated up to 100 watts for the single bulb versions. Of course, you can substitue a screw-based compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) which for a given wattage will give about four times that light of the incandescnt version. Currently there are varieties of CFLs that go all the way up into 40 watts, or about the light output of a 150 watt incandescent bulb. Another consideration is the height, color and texture of the ceiling. In general, a wall sconce should be considered as an ambient light source. This is an indirect illumination in a room which provides enough light for general activities not requiring accute vision. Reading, writing, hand work and such activities require task lighting, an intense and close light source which may be a table lamp or some kind of directional light on a flexible arm. Ambient lighting is good for any room, hallway, dining areas, bathrooms, etc. Task lighting is portable and should be added where necessary.

17. Can I buy a specific sconce in a different size or finish?

Generally speaking, the size of the sconce is predetermined by our system of masters and molds which we construct for each series. The finishes, however, are interchangeable.

18. Can I order a special sconce designed specifically for my use?

We will be happy to quote prices for any custom work. However, the cost of tooling up for a new sconce is not insignificant, and may be prohibitive for just a few sconces. If you are in need of twenty or more, the cost of a new design may be amortized reasonably across such an order.

19. Can I use these sconces outdoors?

As stated above, our sconces are rated for “damp location only” and as such can only be used outdoors where they will be under cover. This is a UL designation and its application is up to the buyer. Obviously, there are places in the world where direct rain impingement is not really a consideration.

20. What about halogen or fluorescent lighting?

Both halogen and fluorescent bulbs have their uses and liabilities. It is possible to “hard-wire” a sconce to use either one of these type of bulbs. However, in our opinion, it is much more useful and economical, to buy either of these bulb types in their standard screw-base configuration, readily available at most hardware stores. These can then be readily used in just about all our sconces.
Halogen, a particular type of incandescent bulb, gives a whiter light than standard incandescent and may be easily dimmed. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are available in many different wattages and as they can be screwed into a standard base bulb holder, the wattage may be changed at will. This is not true of hard-wired fluorescents. Fluorescent lamps do not put out a smooth color curve, unlike the halogen and standard incandescent. This can result in some color shifts which may or may not be significant to the viewer. Generally speaking, CFLs cannot be dimmed. Click here for more data on these bulbs.

21. What is the correct height to mount the sconces?

This is a frequent question without an easy answer. There are several variables which go into the equation which include: a. What is the height to the ceiling? b. How much light is needed (both in reflected light from the ceiling and downlight from sconces which have a downlight opening). The most obvious answer to this question is that the top of the sconce should be above eye level so the interior bulb is not visible. Generally, this would be a minimum of six feet from the floor. Therefore, the wall box for that sconce should be six feet less the distance from the top of the sconce to the center of the wall box. This dimension is found on each sconce page which has a link for "View Technical Drawing". This dimension is shown from the bottom of the sconce, so subtract that amount from the overall height of the sconce.

The amount of light emitted by the sconce will depend on how close it is to the ceiling. The closer to the ceiling, the shorter the light path of reflected light is to the floor. Remember, these sconces provide ambient light which is a gentle light source suitable for normal activities short of intensive eye work as in reading or working on physical objects. Also, of course, the number of sconces affects the total light available in a room. The human eye is a remarkable instrument, demanding a lot less light for non-technical tasks, such as navigating a hallway or dining. This ability to accommodate itself to available light is called visual acuity and the human eye far exceeds the photographic process in this matter.

22 .What's the best way to answer any other questions I may have?

Call us anytime (well, almost) and we will be happy to discuss your needs. We are available during normal business hours and later at 1-800-497-3891. If no one is in the office, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.