3 Problems Ordering from Old California (and How to Avoid Them)

By Joshua Scheide | Updated November 2025

After nearly 40 years of crafting period lighting and decor in Southern California, we've learned something important: when the wrong customer chooses us, everyone ends up frustrated. But when the right customer does? They get pieces they'll cherish for a lifetime.

If you're looking for a fast home upgrade you can unbox in a couple days, you can stop reading now. We're not for you—and that's okay.

But if you're working on a historic home—or adding period details to a historically-inspired space in your home—and care deeply about craftsmanship, authenticity, and detail...keep reading.

Everything we make is built to order. No warehouse. No stock shelves. No overnight shipping.

Our lead time for most lighting runs 6-10 weeks because each piece is crafted in our Southern California factory, passing through several sets of skilled hands before arriving at your door. Mailboxes typically arrive within 3-4 weeks, and some products like rugs can take several months to craft. And yes, occasionally life happens—a huge custom order that pulls all our craftspeople off their normal routine or an unexpected seasonal bottleneck—and we run a bit behind. But you can always talk to us if you’re concerned about your project.

What this means for your timeline: even when everything goes smoothly as normal, you'll wait longer than you would from a big-box store. We're not trying to compete with Amazon or Wayfair’s delivery within a week.

If you're working with us, build in a buffer—give yourself a bit of extra time. If you're working with an installer, schedule them after the product arrives, not before. And if you've got a firm deadline—say, your daughter's wedding or a holiday open house—call us before ordering. We'll tell you honestly whether we can make it happen.

We've seen what happens when handcrafted timelines and tight construction schedules collide. It's stressful for everyone.

This Might Not Work If:

• You have a fast-approaching hard deadline
• Your construction timeline includes penalties for delays
• Your electrician or installer can't schedule flexibly
• Waiting creates stress that outweighs everything else

If your project has any of these constraints, we'd rather save you the frustration now than disappoint you later.

Alternatives for faster delivery: Rejuvenation (often shorter lead times, with some in-stock options), or in-stock options at Restoration Hardware.

The truth? Your patience pays off. When you open the boxes the brass gleams, the glass catches the light just right, and suddenly, your home is that much more finished.

We have one showroom—in Orange, California—about ten minutes from Disneyland.

While this is a problem for some folks, the vast majority of our customers buy without ever seeing the product in person first. But if you're not local, you'll be choosing from photos and videos on our site.

We get it—that's not always easy when you're spending real money. Dropping $1,500 on a chandelier you've never seen in person takes faith.

We'll do everything we can to bridge that distance. We'll mail you physical samples—finishes, glass, fabrics—so you can hold them up in your space. You can talk directly with our team, many of whom have been guiding homeowners for decades. Each product’s page lists its specifications and we supply installation instructions when they’re needed.

And if you're not sure you're ready to commit to a bigger purchase, test us first. Many of our customers start by ordering a mailbox or house numbers before trusting us with their home's statement pieces. It's the best proof of craftsmanship we can offer from miles away.

This Might Not Work If:

• You can’t commit to purchases over $1,000 without seeing them in person first
• Ordering high-value items remotely creates anxiety that outweighs your excitement

If you need to see everything in person before buying, we completely understand.

Alternatives for hands-on shopping: Rejuvenation (multiple showrooms nationwide), local architectural salvage yards, Restoration Hardware galleries.

Once we start production, you're committed.

Because almost everything is made specifically for you—sized for your space, finished to your specifications—our return policy is very limited. We start production within days of your order, and once craftspeople are assigned and materials are allocated, there's no putting it back on a shelf. You can't order three different sconces to see which one looks best in your entryway, then return two.

We're not trying to be difficult; it's simply the reality of custom manufacturing. Mass-market retailers can offer wider return policies because they're pulling from lower-cost warehouse inventory. We're building a specific piece just for you.

We’re here to help you make the right choice for your home. We'll send you physical finish and glass samples before you order—hold them in your space, see them against the other pieces in your home. Our team can talk through sizing and proportions based on your room dimensions.

We also have guides to help with good rules of thumb, like this guide to picking the right-sized fixture, and this guide to help you measure how far from the ceiling your fixture should hang.

This might not work if:

• You need to see items installed in your space before deciding
• You prefer to order multiple options and return what doesn't work
• Trial-and-error is how you figure out what you like

If you need the flexibility to try-and-return, we completely understand, we just can't offer it for made-to-order work.

Alternatives with flexible returns: Wayfair, Amazon, Lamps Plus, and other retailers with return policies that let you try items in your space before committing.

If none of these “problems” scare you off, you're probably our kind of customer.

• You can plan and roll with possible (but rare) delays
• You're comfortable ordering based on photos, samples and/or conversations
• You care about historic accuracy and fine detail
• You want fixtures your grandchildren will inherit
• You value a real relationship with the maker, not a faceless order number

Yes, it takes longer than an off-the-shelf option. And yes, on occasion our communication isn't flawless (we are human after all). But when your new pieces arrive—carefully packaged, built to last, and glowing with craftsmanship—you'll understand why we do it this way.

Listen to what repeat customer Jed S. said about his second purchase from Old California:

That's the trade-off: patience up front, satisfaction for generations.

Send us a few photos of your home and your timeline. We'll tell you honestly if we're a good fit—or if another option would serve you better.

No hard sell. No pressure. Just a conversation between people who love beautiful, lasting work.