ABOUT - A19 Artisan Lighting

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is steadfast. That light greatly influences quality of life. Why else do we tell people to “shine their light” when we want them to thrive in the world, or let’s “shed a light” on this problem or issue? Conversely, we talk about the “Dark Ages,” the “Dark Lord” in Star Wars, and having been “in the dark.”

A coincidence? We think not.

Here at A19, we make unique, artisan, ceramic wall sconces and pendants born from our belief that our work is about so much more than just illumination. We help create experiential spaces based on the design, placement, cast, and artistry of our fixtures.

We have a commitment to being your creative partners. Yes, you are an integral part of the process… we take pride in understanding your specific intentions, we share the design exploration and process, and we fuss over the details.

Each item is meticulously crafted by our small team of five, ascribing to the core values of our company: community, artistry, and sustainability. We take pride in doing everything from designing and crafting our sconces to addressing your packages and answering the phone (call us, you’ll see). And as a green business, we recycle everything we can from clay and water to bubble wrap and boxes.

We are so grateful to our supportive local community, our natural materials, and our loyal and repeat clients who allow us to live our mission!

WHY CERAMIC WALL SCONCES?

Given that lighting has such critical impact on the mood and experience of any environment, wall sconces can be one’s best ally. Wall sconces cast light in different directions, up to highlight a ceiling or down to draw attention to an entry table. Unlike harsh overhead lights, they cast flattering light on cherished items and, of course, people. In addition, they flank paintings and mirrors well, directing the eye to important focal points in your room.

Ceramic is an ancient material that can take on any modern form. As fragments from classical antiquity attest, ceramic is remarkably durable; it can withstand extremes of temperature and harsh, even outdoor, environments without rusting or deteriorating. Unlike glass, it provides ambient lighting without unintended glare. It can be painted, textured, pierced, and molded in any way your design requires. And it screams “artisan-made” rather than “mass produced.”

HOW WE DERIVE OUR PRICING

Having taken the time to look at the competition, you know that these are not bargain sconces. Yes we’ve priced our fixtures as fairly as possible to reflect the bespoke quality, the artisanal touch, and the highest-quality materials on the market. Every fixture is made-to-order to your specification and individually crafted from start to finish in our small factory in California. Our molds are created by hand, our sconces are hand-sanded after firing, and our finishes are hand-painted. All our parts, like our clay, organic and sourced in California, are so durable that you will never need to replace your sconces. Wisely, you will buy once, buy the best, and buy at an equitable price.

We are so grateful to our supportive local community, our natural materials, and our loyal and repeat clients who allow us to live our mission!

OUR ORIGIN STORY

Like many creative and successful businesses, the ideal for A19 began on the back of a napkin. Owner Cinnamon Alvarez and a friend sat down at a local watering hole and dreamily hatched their plans to run their own shows. They’d do what they really love and inspires them. They’d treat their employees like family. They’d make their own hours. Their clients would feel revered and deeply cared for. They’d change the world! (OK, maybe they’d just strive to make a difference).

At the start of the next workweek, Cinnamon sat down with her boss, looked him square in the eye, and launched into her jaw-dropping proposal: she wanted to purchase the company… and to her surprise, he was intrigued! Cinnamon began crunching numbers and creating a business plan, and reality set in: there was more to this entrepreneur thing than vision and determination. So her ex-boss became her mentor, and she approached key co-workers — each an exceptionally talented crafts-person — who became enrolled and inspired by her vision and said YES to jumping onboard. Thus A19 was born, and we maintain the same commitment now as all those years ago in 1998: to provide attention and unparalleled service while creating the highest quality functional art the lighting world has seen.