TGM field trip: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.

The Good Mod was recently invited to tour the factory of Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., a Portland-based interior products company focusing on vintage and contemporary light fixtures, home accessories, furniture, and hardware. Having only been to the saliva-inducing showroom with perfectly arranged vignettes of slick and stylish, yet cozy and unusual home goods, it was exciting to see what goes on behind the scenes, through the factory doors...

Schoolhouse, founded in 2003 out of owner Brian Flaherty's basement, now employs just over 100 workers in the four-story, 125,000 square foot building that produces anything from light fixtures, clocks, hardware, to cushions and bed spreads—and shares the space with graphic design print shop Egg Press. 

We had a chance to visit with Colin Jones, Marketing Coordinator, and get some insight into Schoolhouse's facilities. We witnessed production methods at hand, and even caught up with some old friends—vintage pieces that have made their way from The Good Mod to the offices of Schoolhouse Electric. What a fun and inspiring tour.

Light fixture production and the process of applying patina

The Prop Room at Schoolhouse Electric, filled with eclectic vintage pieces for photos

Photos by Arthur Hitchcock