Why The Glass Lantern Remains A Classic Exterior Lighting Choice

There is something special about a home that’s aglow with gas lanterns. The live, flickering flames impart a sense of literal and metaphorical warmth, a welcoming beacon of hospitality. While some may view outdoor lighting as an afterthought, for Atlanta-based designer Anna Booth, illuminating the exterior makes a heartening first impression, as seen with the numerous copper fixtures that adorn the façade of this newly built stone estate in Georgia. “It’s comforting to live with a material like copper that patinas over time—it helps you relax,” the designer says. “There’s a grounding feeling of permanence when you select products that are meant to last.”

The innovation of gas lighting transformed cities in the early 19 th century, and it is historic companies like Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights that are ensuring the tradition of crafting this type of lighting is carried into the future. For Booth’s project, the many lanterns were handmade at Bevolo’s New Orleans headquarters—as are all of their pieces. “Copper is elegant and resilient; it ages visibly, recording time, turning each fixture into a one-of-a-kind architectural element,” remarks Drew Bevolo, the family-run company’s third-generation owner. “The enduring appeal of our lanterns lies in what modern technology often leaves behind: legacy, presence and soul.”

Founded in 1945 by Drew’s grandfather, Andrew Bevolo Sr., the brand continues to honor the past by using traditional tools, processes and their signature American-mined copper, while still offering customizable designs that keep pace with the times, which now include electric and stainless-steel options. But don’t expect them to chase trends anytime soon. “Bevolo lanterns provide not just illumination but atmosphere. We create tomorrow’s antiques—lighting that not only belongs to a home or place, but to time itself.”