You found a fixture stamped Feiss. Or a listing that says Murray Feiss lighting. Is it the same brand? Yes, and the name change confuses a lot of buyers.
This guide clears that up. It also covers ratings, model numbers, warranty terms, and installation.
What Is Murray Feiss Lighting Today?
Murray Feiss lighting is now sold as Feiss by Generation Lighting, part of the Visual Comfort family of brands. The company makes chandeliers, pendants, sconces, bath bars, and outdoor fixtures for homes and businesses. The founder’s name is gone from most new products. The design style and product lines carry on.
Older fixtures still carry the Murray Feiss name on labels and boxes. Retailers also use it in listings. Both names point to the same maker.
Knowing this helps when you search for parts, manuals, or warranty help. Try both names.
How Murray Feiss Lighting Started
The company began in 1955 with a small set of porcelain figurine lamps. Murray Feiss topped them with lampshades his mother sewed by hand. His mother, Rose Feiss, had already built a small lampshade business. Murray joined after his Navy service and grew it into a fixture company.
That start still shows in table lamp bases from the brand. Shape and detail matter there.
Murray Feiss Lighting also produced the Bob Mackie Home Lighting collection and the Pure Simple Today collection for Colonial Williamsburg. Those names show how wide the design range grew.
Fixture Types You’ll Find
The current line covers most rooms. Here’s a quick map.
- Chandeliers for dining rooms and foyers
- Pendants and drum shades for kitchens and hallways
- Flush and semi-flush mounts for lower ceilings
- Bath and vanity lights
- Outdoor wall lanterns and post lights
- Decorative mirrors
Catalog sections follow this same order: chandeliers, drums and pendants, flush mounts, bath and vanity, outdoor, and mirrors. That makes the catalog easy to scan by room.
Styles run from traditional to coastal to modern. Pick the one that fits your trim, not just your furniture.
How to Read a Murray Feiss Lighting Model Number
Model numbers tell you a lot. They also help you order parts.
Examples from the catalog and retail listings include F2942/6SLV for a chandelier, P1230 for a mini pendant, VS13703 for a vanity light, and OL2602 for an outdoor wall lantern. The letters up front hint at the fixture type. F is a chandelier. P is a pendant. VS is a vanity strip. OL is outdoor lighting.
A short code at the end usually names the finish. Write down the full number before you call a seller. Photos alone won’t match a part.
Wet, Damp, and Dry Ratings
This is where many outdoor fixtures fail. The rating decides where a fixture can go.
A damp location is a spot with occasional moisture, such as a covered porch or a bathroom. A wet location is anywhere water can drip, splash, or flow onto the fixture, such as an open deck or wall. A wet rating covers both. A damp rating covers only the first.
One Feiss collection, for example, is damp rated. It works indoors, in bathrooms, and on sheltered porches. It wouldn’t suit an open wall that takes direct rain.
Check the label on the fixture before you buy. Match it to the spot.
What the Warranty Covers
Warranty terms differ by product type. A Feiss warranty document dated 2019 lists one year for standard fixtures and five years for LED products with dedicated LEDs. It lists three years for ENERGY STAR qualified products and five years for outdoor fixtures made from StoneStrong material.
Coastal homes need extra care. The same document treats corrosion within ten miles of a sea coast as normal wear. It also says outdoor finishes change naturally over time.
Terms can change. Confirm the current warranty on the brand’s site before you buy. Keep your receipt too.
Selection Criteria for Murray Feiss Lighting
Start with the room. Then narrow by size, finish, and rating.
- Size: Match fixture width to the table or room. A dining abaca rope chandelier often measures about half to two-thirds of the table width.
- Ceiling height: Semi-flush mounts suit low ceilings. Pendants and chandeliers need more room.
- Finish: Match nearby metals like door hardware and faucets. A close tone looks planned.
- Rating: Use damp or wet-rated fixtures near moisture.
- Bulb base: Check the socket before you buy bulbs.
One Feiss ceiling fixture listed on Ferguson uses a medium E26 base, runs on 120 volts, and is ETL listed. That’s common for the line. Still, always read your own product page.
Bulbs and LED Upgrades
Most Murray Feiss lighting fixtures ship without bulbs. Plan for that.
Many chandeliers in the line take candelabra LED bulbs, which makes a switch to LED simple. LED bulbs draw less power and run cooler. They also last far longer.
For a warm look, choose 2700K bulbs. For a kitchen, 3000K works well. Check sommelier chandelier the maximum wattage on the fixture. Then check dimmer support. A fixture may dim only if the bulb and the dimmer both allow it.
How to Install a Murray Feiss Lighting Fixture
Feiss fixtures ship with mounting hardware included. Pendants with stem kits come with a canopy that swivels 90 degrees for vaulted ceilings. Chain-hung fixtures include quick links. That covers most installs.
Follow these steps.
- Turn off power at the breaker. Test the wiring with a non-contact tester.
- Remove the old fixture. Note which wires go where.
- Secure the bracket to the junction box.
- Set the chain or stem length before you lift the fixture. Place it on the floor.
- Connect each wire to its matching color. Use wire nuts.
- Fit the wires inside the box and fasten the canopy.
- Add bulbs and glass. Restore power and test.
Use a properly supported box for heavy chandeliers. If you’re unsure, call an electrician. Outdoor fixtures also need a sealed base so water stays out.
Older and Discontinued Murray Feiss Lighting
Some pieces are no longer made. Vintage fixtures show up on resale sites, and many are still worth buying.
Parts can be the problem. One buyer of a used Feiss lantern said replacement and missing parts were hard to find. Ask the seller for the model number. Confirm glass, sockets, and hardware are all there before you pay.
Check the wiring on any old fixture too. Brittle insulation is a fire risk. An electrician can rewire it in short order.
Read Also: Orange Pendant Light
FAQs
Is Murray Feiss lighting the same as Feiss by Generation Lighting?
Yes. The company changed names over time. The Feiss line now sells under Generation Lighting and Visual Comfort.
Where can I find my Feiss model number?
Look on the box, the instruction sheet, or a label near the socket or canopy. Have the full number ready when you call for parts.
Are Feiss outdoor fixtures safe in rain?
Only if the label says wet-rated. Damp-rated fixtures suit covered porches, not open walls.
Do Feiss fixtures come with bulbs?
Usually not. Check the product page for the bulb base and maximum wattage before you order.
Can I use LED bulbs in Feiss fixtures?
Yes, in most cases. Match the base type and stay under the wattage limit. Use dimmable bulbs if you have a dimmer.
Does the Feiss warranty cover coastal corrosion?
A 2019 warranty document treats corrosion near the coast as normal wear. Check current terms before you buy for a seaside home.
Can I install a Feiss chandelier myself?
Many people do, with a helper and basic tools. Call an electrician if the box is weak or the wiring looks old.
The Bottom Line
Murray Feiss lighting is now Feiss by Generation Lighting. The style carries on, and so do the ratings, finishes, and model numbers that guide a smart buy.
Match the rating to the room. Save your model number. Confirm the warranty. Then install with the right hardware and a helper.
