June 25th, 2012
Garage Sale Find! Working Vintage Optometry Light Box
I haven’t been out thrifting for a while, but I’ve been on a big decorating kick for my house. When we moved into our little house I didn’t know where to begin, so it’s been homey but it stops short of stylish even when I’ve been dreaming of making it prettier. This is a testament to my priorities if there ever was one- it took two years for me to go from unpacking to “Hm, maybe I should decorate” and then another two years to decide on the style! I would be embarrassed, but in the mean time I’ve been focused on good food, comfort and getting balanced. I love for things to be stylish, but for me form has to follow function.
Since then, the more mid century modern & industrial design I’ve come across the crazier I am about it, so this summer I decided to commit! I’ve been snapping up art and decor on etsy and going out to garage sales & thrift shops with more purpose… and oh my goodness, this weekend it paid off!
I stopped at a garage sale on the way home from a farmers market on Saturday, and I found this amazing optometrist’s light box tucked away behind chairs and children’s toys. It was only $5 and belonged to the father of the man who was having the garage sale, who used to have it in his practice.
The best part? It has a built in wall mount, and the light still works!
It has a retractible cord at the bottom, and there are operating instructions on the top.
Want to see it glow?
I love the industrial look and how it will be a font focused piece for my house. I’m nominating it for best nightlight ever!
Absolutely love this optometrist light box.
Just saw a UK show where one went for $100 wholesale and $400 once delivered to the customer.
I want one!
Love this! Great find!
That is really neat! I love finding interesting items at thrift stores and antique shops. I’ve been on the hunt for a few things for my bedroom for awhile now. One day I will find them!
This is so super cool! I can’t believe it’s working. Best. find. ever.
SO cool that you found this!!!
Best garage sale find EVER! Love it!
i want to rob you. fo real
ok, now i want one!! scott and i are both legally blind, this would be so hilarious and cute to have! such a great find, kyla :)))
what a great find! I love it :)
My boyfriend and I try to collect things that, as he says, “nobody else would have” and this would be right up his alley. The most unique thing we have so far is probably a fairly old parking meter but this is such an awesome find! I’m a wee bit jealous. xo
Gorgeous! What good luck!
That is such a great find!
OMG What a super fun find!!!
That’s such a great find! I’m so jealous! I love thurfting and while it takes a lot of time, it usually pays off!!! plus, recycling is cool too :) And I thought my new earrings from the East Village were a good find!
Fromfreyawithlove.blogspot.com
It’s the most awesome thing ever. Total treasure!
This is really unique, I’ve actually never seen one of these that wasn’t just a poster on the wall. I like your sentiment about form following function — I am not always “stylish” in my decorating, and I am slightly grateful that living in our tackily wallpapered south korea apartment has allowed me to not worry about anything like that for a year. :)
What an amazing find! i am usually pretty jealous of peoples garage sale finds.
Well done!
WOW!! Amazing…what a great find!! I love fonts in pieces and also black and white and this fits the bill…oh ya, and the price tag? DANG, girl!
Oh, I wish I could find one! I just love it.
Kyla, I am so jealous. :)
omg, i love it! :) i don’t think i can find such cool stuff at garage sales here. people are always charging an arm and leg more here.
That is an awesome find! I love it!!
My boyfriend and I love spending time at yard sales and flea markets together. The last one that we visited had so, so many things we wanted, but we settled on a few vintage valentine’s cards that I am going to mat and frame because we desperately need some sort of decor as well.
Wow, that’s an amazing find for only $5! Love it.