Inside the Design of Benchmade: The Allegheny Sconce

Butterscotch sconce on white wood in factory setting

Bringing our own lighting designs to life is one of the most fulfilling parts of what we do. We take pride in crafting fixtures that effortlessly blend form and function with a timeless appeal that’s unmistakably Schoolhouse. Some designs appear almost effortlessly, like they’ve always existed. The Allegheny Sconce is one of those pieces. A refined take on classic cylinder lighting, it’s a study in balance: utilitarian yet elegant, timeless yet new.

line drawing of sconce dimensions and factory worker sanding piece of metal for sconce to be painted
Factory employee assembling sage green sconce with wiring

As with every new design, the product team started by considering not just how Allegheny would look, but how it would function. The cylinder form is a familiar silhouette in modern outdoor lighting, but we saw an opportunity to create something a little bit different. By pairing a curved capsule shade with a subtly rounded square canopy, we played with shapes. Its clean, unadorned silhouette embraces an industrial-inspired sensibility, while the gentle curves between the shade and canopy add a touch of softness. The high-gloss lacquer finish and natural brass options elevate the design, introducing an unexpected warmth and sophistication to the fixture.

Line drawing of sconce and factory employee packaging sage green sconce
Butterscotch sconce on white beam of wood in factory setting and butterscotch sconce on wall next to gray bed with metal frame

Beyond aesthetics, this sconce was also crafted with intention. Unlike traditional outdoor fixtures that can create harsh glare or unnecessary light pollution, this downlit design provides focused illumination—perfect for lighting pathways or framing doorways without shining directly into a neighbor’s window.

Throughout the design process, every detail was carefully considered. From ensuring the perfect balance of proportions to refining the placement of components, our team worked through several iterations to get it just right. One of the biggest challenges? Fitting the bulb and LED components in a way that maintained the sconce’s streamlined shape without compromising function.

exterior of home with white sconces and exterior of outdoor bathroom with black sconce
White sconce on green wall above bed for reading light

Of course, no discussion of Allegheny would be complete without mentioning the debut of our Butterscotch gloss finish. Inspired by a pair of patent leather shoes worn by our creative director, this warm brown hue went through several adjustments before we landed on the perfect balance—just enough green, just enough red—to create a shade that feels both nostalgic and modern.

The result is a fixture that feels effortless yet intentional, simple yet elevated. Whether mounted indoors or out, the Allegheny Sconce brings a refined sense of warmth to any space—proof that even the most practical designs can feel special.

Butterscotch sconce above white desk and sage green sconce above bed in white room

At Schoolhouse, our passion for creating thoughtfully designed, timeless pieces is at the heart of everything we do—and it all began more than 20 years ago when we made our first light in a century-old Portland factory. That origin story inspired Benchmade, our new line of six lighting families designed, finished, and assembled entirely in our Portland factory. To celebrate, we’re shining a light on each of Benchmade’s fixture families.

GLOW WITH ALLEGHENY

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