The Venice: A Farmhouse Light Fixture That Works as a Stylish Sign Light

When I first came face to face with The Venice  in our warehouse after our team had masterfully worked on it, I was immediately drawn to its simple yet distinctive design. Unlike most of our industrial barn lighting collection, this small sign light does something unique — it directs light backward toward the mounting surface rather than downward or outward. This seemingly simple design choice makes it perfect for highlighting what matters in your space.

What Makes the Venice Different?

The Venice isn’t just another pretty fixture — it’s a practical wall-mounted lighting solution with a specific purpose. I’ve installed these lights in my own home to highlight address numbers, and I’ve seen our customers use them creatively in restaurants to illuminate menus, in cafes to highlight artwork, and in retail spaces to draw attention to signage.

What I personally love about this fixture is how it combines utility with style. The angled 9-inch dome creates a focused beam of light that illuminates exactly what you want people to notice. It’s not trying to light an entire room — it’s designed to spotlight the details that tell your story.

Built to Last (Without Shouting About It)

We make The Venice the same way we make all our lights —  by hand, using heavy-duty 18-gauge steel. Each fixture is powder-coated for a finish that stands up to weather and wear. This isn’t delicate lighting that you’ll need to replace next year; these fixtures are built solid.

I’ve watched our team craft these lights in our workshop, and there’s real care that goes into each one. The welds are clean, the finish is consistent, and the assembly is precise. When you install one of these sign lights, you can feel the quality in your hands.

Customization Options That Make Sense

One thing our customers consistently tell us they appreciate is flexibility. The Venice connects to your choice of mounting arms:

1. 6-inch straight arm (for tight spaces)
2. 11-inch straight arm (our most popular option)
3. 11-inch gooseneck (adds a classic curve)
4. 16-inch gooseneck (provides more projection)
5. 23-inch gooseneck (for maximum reach)
6. Upward sloping mount (for a different look)

I typically recommend the 11-inch options for most home applications, but restaurant owners often prefer the longer reaches to illuminate larger signage areas.

Color Choices That Complement Your Space

The powder-coated finish on The Venice comes in twelve colors, each with its own character:

1. Black (Modern and subtle)
2. Dark bronze (rich and traditional)
3. Galvanized (industrial look)
4. Green (for a pop of color)
5. Matte black (Our bestseller)
6. Red (makes a statement)
7. White (clean and versatile)
8. Cream (warm and welcoming)
9. Gray blue (soft and sophisticated)
10. Hunter green (deep and classic)
11. Modern gray (contemporary neutral)
12. Navy blue (bold yet refined)

What’s really cool is that you can also choose an interior color for the dome: brass, navy blue, or white. I’m partial to the contrast of matte black with a brass interior — it creates a warm glow that makes signage pop.

Real-World Applications for Sign Lights

After talking with hundreds of customers over the years, I’ve collected some favorite ways people use The Venice sign light:

Home Applications:

1. Illuminating house numbers (especially helpful for delivery drivers at night)
2. Highlighting entryway signs or family name plaques
3. Porch lighting (Lighting up porch features or decorative elements)

Business Applications:

1. Menu boards in restaurants
2. Product displays in retail
3. Directional signage in hotels or office building
4. Featured artwork in galleries

One customer (Alison) sent us the most adorable photos (See below)  of their window seat where they used the Venice with a gooseneck mount as task lighting. She let us know that it was her fourth venice buy and she was nothing but impressed.  This speaks a lot coming from a returning client, you would agree!

The light created just enough focused illumination without overpowering the space or causing glare on the area. And it was so cozy it made me want to curl up with a book and a cup of coffee. It’s this kind of practical application that makes me appreciate good lighting design.

Installation That Won’t Give You a Headache

The Venice accepts any standard E26 medium base bulb, which means you’re not locked into proprietary or hard-to-find lighting elements. This compatibility gives you the freedom to choose the right bulb temperature and brightness for your specific needs.

For those who want convenience, the fixture is dusk-to-dawn compatible. Set it up once, and your sign light will automatically turn on when darkness falls and off when morning comes – perfect for address numbers or commercial lighting (business signage in particular)..

Made in America Matters

We make every Venice fixture right here in the USA. I’ve seen firsthand how this commitment to local craftsmanship translates to better quality control and more attention to detail. There’s something satisfying about knowing exactly where your light fixtures come from and who made them.

Finding the Right Sign Light for Your Space

When clients ask me which sign light would work best for their project, I usually ask them three questions:

1. What exactly are you trying to illuminate?
2. How far does the light need to project from the wall?
3. What’s the overall style of your space?

The Venice works particularly well in farmhouse, industrial, and modern rustic settings. The simple dome shape doesn’t compete with architectural details but rather complements them. It’s a light that doesn’t need to be the center of attention because it is designed to make something else shine.

For home projects, I often suggest starting with one or two strategic placements rather than trying to light everything at once. Lighting experts and enthusiasts know that good lighting equals creating moments of focus and interest, not flooding every corner with brightness.

If you’re looking for a sign light that combines practicality with classic style, The Venice offers that sweet spot of form and function. It’s not trendy or flashy —  just well-designed lighting that does its job exceptionally well while looking good doing it.

If you have any questions at all, our team will be delighted to answer them. So feel free to reach out and ask away!