Gil Stancourt Lighting Studio

Oakland, United States

5

21 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 510-469-1989
Website:
www.GilStancourt.com
Address:
3908 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA, 94609
b/t 39th St & 40th St
North Oakland
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
450 ftMacArthur
1.1 mi59th Street
1.3 miVeterans Memorial
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Oakland) 5:01 PM Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Serving Oakland, Berkeley and the Bay Area! Open: Thu-​Sat 10 am — 2 pm or By Appointment at other times during the week. We have been Lighting Industry specialists for over 25 years. Our expert services include rewiring and repairing antique and contemporary lighting as well as custom building lamps and fixtures for homes and restaurants. We also teach fun and informative classes in lamp building from beginners on up. See our website for details!

History

Established in 1985.

We learned the antique lighting restoration trade in Cambridge, Massachusetts and brought our talents out here to the Oakland, Berkeley, Bay Area of California in 1992.

Meet the Business Owner

Gil S.

Business Owner

Gil Stancourt is a man who was born to tinker… he loves nothing better than to tear things apart and put them back together… and not necessarily as they came apart in the first place. He has an agile, inventive mind that is constantly looking beyond what already exists to: what’s next?

At age 12, he «built» his first lamp from an old wine bottle using a cork stopper lamp kit he got at the local hardware store. The seed was planted… but it would be a few years before this became his calling. It’s work he enjoys because it not only allows him an outlet for his creative talents but also the satisfaction of knowing that he’s providing a valuable and much needed service to his community!

Gil Stancourt Lighting Studio also recommends

Green Lantern Electric

16

reviews

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Gil S. says,

«Todd not only does an amazing and thoroughly professional job, his prices are great and he’s quite personable as well!»

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21 reviews of Gil Stancourt Lighting Studio

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
Great place to go in the oakland area for lighting repair! Gil was able to fix my favorite lamp when I thought it couldn’t be repaired. He also restores chandeliers that are beautiful! Friendly and fair prices
Place rating: 5
Mountain View, CA
Great, low-​key maintenance done on my antique chandelier. Diagnosed the problem immediately while I waited, quoted a fair price to do the work, and got it done in 2 days.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Nice guy! He fixed my antique lamp while I waited, for $ 20.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Gil,
Thank you so much for fixing the broken switch of the floor lamp!!! I appreciate your help in a timely manner during the holidays.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I stopped in to get a very minor thing fixed on a table lamp and Gil did it for free because it only took a few minutes. He was so friendly and accommodating! I’ll definitely come back if I ever need other electrical repairs!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Gil fixed a vintage 1920’s deco lamp for me, that was in terrible shape… or so I thought. It has been several months and I have been trying to think of a way to praise his skill without sounding crazy, but that is impossible! Gil is a genius! He is also clearly very passionate about his craft and had me over excited about my lamp and it’s possibilities right away. He worked very quickly for what seemed like a complete overhaul and the price was much less than I anticipated. I was also delighted at the prospect of commissioning a chandelier (if I can ever afford a house in the Bay Area) as Gil also makes his own lighting elements. I highly recommend his services!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
GIL IS LITERALLY A LIFESAVER!
My girlfriend secretly took the lamp I had «repaired» for her to Gil for a 2nd opinion. Not only did Gil do a fantastic job re-​wiring my re-​wire, he simultaneously drastically reduced my girlfriend’s risk of death by in-​home fire/​electrocution.
They had a good laugh at my handiwork, but she related that Gil ribbed my efforts in a cool and respectful way.
Although lighting repair looks easy, do yourself (and your loved ones) a favor and have Gil do it professionally and correctly. it wasn’t even much more expensive than buying the parts themselves. Kimberly and I, along with Montie the Dog, all say «thank you Gil!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
We’ve had a few quick tasks to get done over the last few years — swapping Euro plugs for U.S. ones in our lamps and installing a few pendant lamps in our home — and we’ve called Gil every time. He’s friendly, professional, knows his stuff, and is very reasonably priced. Great work. Highly recommended.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I had a tall Restoration Hardware lamp with a switch that had stopped working. Based on Unilocal reviews, I visited Gil at this funky and cool studio, and dropped the lamp off. It was ready a week later and was only $ 30 for the fix. So easy, so friendly. Thanks, Gil!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Absolutely amazing. In an age of an acutely disposable society, it’s great to find someone to repair a favorite lamp at a pittance of what others would charge. My husband and I never expected to have two lamps fixed on the spot by Gil. Expert service. If you have a lamp that needs repair, head over to Gil’s studio. You won’t be disappointed. A great find!
Place rating: 5
Alameda, CA
Called Gil today (Wednesday) and he was available when I would be in the neighborhood. Stopped in and he fixed my lamp. I had a 3-​way switch in my lamp that I burnt out by using a single type of light bulb. I hadn’t noticed that the the receptacle was fried, but he showed me why. Great lesson and waited while it was fixed. Very reasonably priced too!
(I only wish I had changed it to a singular instead of the 3-​way. Can’t find options on the 3-​way and don’t want 50−100−150, although it isn’t Gil’s fault!)
Place rating: 5
El Sobrante, CA
I bought a floor lamp from
, and when it arrived via Fedex, a threaded ring was jammed on the throat of the fixture. I had to cut off the ring, and then wait 2 weeks for LampsPlus to send me a new one. Then, when I tried to put the new ring on the lamp, I realized I needed to remove the light sockets first. When I began removing the light sockets, I heard this «ping» as all these tiny springs and other little parts fell out of the light sockets. At that moment I realized, «I’m in over my head. This is a job for Gil Stancourt.»
I brought the lamp to Gil Stancourt Lighting Studio, and he fixed it for a very reasonable price. And, he converted it from 2-​pin CFLs to standard screw-​shell CFLs, so I don’t have to buy those expensive 2-​pin CFLs. That $ 250 I paid LampsPlus for the lamp I bought would have been a total loss were it not for Gil Stancourt. Take my word for it – when it comes to lamps and other lighting fixtures, this guy is «Mr. Fixit»! And, he charges very reasonable prices, too. A wonderful service provider and a nice guy to boot!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Did a great job on an old Chinese antique turned into a lamp. On time and below his original estimate. Highly reccomend.
Place rating: 4
Alameda, CA
Gil did a bang-​up job of reviving my Grandma’s lamp, which had been hanging out in her garage, and then my garage, for a bazillion years.
He suggested a paint scheme, got a replacement, period «waffle» lampshade, as well as general cleaning and rewiring. The shade was $ 25 extra, which wasn’t spelled out to me beforehand, but the overall paint and repair was so reasonably priced, I had no issues!
The 3-​way light switch wasn’t installed, so I did have to take it back, but I’d also chipped off some of the trim, so he fixed the switch, and tossed in the repair for free!
For others with antique lamps, I’d definitely recommend Gil!
Place rating: 5
San Leandro, CA
I had a petite french chandelier that needed to be wired as a swag. Being electrically challenged I was fortunate enough to find Gil Stancourt. He fixed my little chandelier up in minutes. I am a happy camper!
Bear in mind that there is not a real sign on the Gil’s Studio… so it is easy to pass by. But I pursued and with a knock on the door. walla…Gil appeared and gave my chandelier life… he also explained about fixtures lighting. An illuminating experience and a great job:)
Thanks Gil!
Place rating: 5
Portland, OR
Gil is an incredibly nice man and he does an amazing job. I took two european lamps here to have them rewired. Not only did he get the job done quickly he advised me on which wiring to use that would fit the asthetic of the lamps best, since the wire is part of the design. To me, that’s above and beyond.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Perfection.
Gil is part electrician, part artist, part educator, part business man. He loves his work and it shows in both the service and the finished product.
I bought some industrial lamps at the flea market to put over my pool table. The guys at the hardware store told me I couldn’t fix them. Gil, took a different approach. I believe his first comment was: «We can do anything.»
Gil gave me several solution options, from quick-​fix to highly involved. It’s great to have found someone who sees so many possibilities and loves your lighting almost as much as you do!
Totally impressed and will be back with more lamps (or lamp ideas!)
Go to Gil. Be enlightened.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I brought Gil my chandelier I had bought long ago and it was in disrepair. He pointed out a lot about the chandelier, the crystal and then gave me his estimate to repair/​clean up the light. He came in under budget, and was done sooner than expected. The repairs were perfect, all the crystal that was missing was replaced, the electrical wires upgraded. It looked fantastic (even Gil admitted it looked pretty fracking great). He also recommended an installer for the light as I had expressed concern about one estimate I had received that the electrician basically said, «the lathe and plaster damage is your business sir.» (Complete Electric did a great job with the install.) So 1) Gil fixed my chandelier perfectly and 2) he recommended someone reliable to install it.
That’s one great way to get my return business. Thoroughly recommended.
Place rating: 5
Danville, CA
Gil took my grandmother’s 1920s chandelier, and fixed a broken arm, polished every crystal, and rewired it. All in one week. Never seen it look so good, keeping the original patina but cleaning it to bring out it’s intricate details. Truly an amazing job, Better than I ever expected. Gil is passionate about what he does and extremely talented! Also he is very fairly priced. Thank you!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Wow, Wow, Wow!
Today I picked up two antique abacus lamps (deco style) found deep in my Nana’s attic. I brought them to Gil during Thanksgiving week — they needed major work. He had them done two days later (he quoted me a week), but my schedule didn’t allow me to pick them up till today. They look absolutely fantastic and he charged me $ 25 less than he quoted me ($ 75 instead of $ 100).
This is the second time I’ve been to Gil (4 lamps in all) — and both times he has given stellar service. His prices are BEYOND reasonable — and he is such a friendly and laid back guy that it’s a total pleasure doing business with him. I am so grateful to know that there are still people out there that are doing what they love and not charging an arm and a leg for their service… people who really aren’t out to make a killing… but to help out the common folk.
Thanks Gil… you totally rock! I would highly recommend you to anyone with lighting needs…
Place rating: 5
Livermore, CA
I have had the opportunity to meet Gil a few times now, and visit his studio twice. I am always impressed by both the man and his work.
Gil has one of the most open personalities I’ve met ’round the bay, and I wouldn’t hesitate to approach him with a lighting project, and possibly more, because his talents are tremendous.
That’s obvious when you visit the studio. He lives and works in a space that he redesigned into a fabulous open plan. He did much of the structural work himself, and while inside, you can be forgiven for thinking that you’ve entered a door into an altogether different building. A great primer on what someone can do in an otherwise neglected urban streetscape.
Hanging from the ceiling are great examples of his lamps, which range from whimsical to sublime. Coffemug fixtures to tiffany-​style, with the glass cut by Gil himself. He’s a master scavenger, and will restore old fixtures, such as the gothic marvel pictured with this review.