The wallpaper is up. The drapes are hung,
and the furniture is in place. But something
is missing. Decorating is not complete without
a selection of stylish lighting to seamlessly
finish the look.
There was a time when lighting did not have
the decorating value that it has today. The
choices were few and the styles limited. Now,
consumers can find a floor lamp, table-lamp,
chandelier, pendant or sconce to fit their
décor, no matter the room.
Today’s looks follow four major developments
as stated by experts of the American Lighting
Association (ALA).
1. Softer metals. Blame it on the millennium.
The new century has brought with it a diverse
selection of softer metallic finishes. Brushed
nickel, stainless steel, pewter, even brushed
copper, have done their best to dethrone brass
as the top finish choice. The softer tones
of these gray metals make it easier for a
lamp to blend with a multi-toned interior,
according to Dan Blitzer, the American Lighting
Association’s technical lighting consultant.
2. Painted finishes. The availability of multi-toned
colored finishes offers consumers lamps with
more depth and texture—a trend that
has come about from the joining of style and
technology. Manufacturers now have the ability
to elegantly apply layers of color to create
the finish. The resulting look fits well with
traditional styles and allows the fixture
to blend with many colors in a room. Expect
to find colored finishes with a soft tone
that may include gold or silver flecks and
tones of brown and red. Don’t forget
about white, too, says Gilbertson. Textured
white finishes are also widely popular.
3. More authenticity. Developing hand-in-hand
with painted finishes, are weathered finishes
and patinas, which offer a unique, timeless
look. “This is the next antique brass,”
says Gilbertson. “ It’s a soft,
traditional look.” The style has become
more distinguished and authentic with changing
technology. “[This finish] enables you
to combine contemporary lighting with traditional
furnishings, without having to resort to a
formal, traditionally-styled chandelier, which
may be too heavy visually,” says Blitzer.
4. Better detail. “Today’s fixtures
are more refined,” says Blitzer. “There’s
more attention to detail.” Nearly every
aspect of the lamp, from the base to the pull
chain, has earned more decorative detail,
giving the lamps greater sophistication. Small
details have increased the volume of choices
for the consumer and have made it easier for
the buyer to find a distinct style for their
home.
“A lamp should be as interesting and
as pretty without the light,” “That
is the ultimate objective. That way, …
it is an accessory. The objective here is
to make each luminary a piece of architecture.”
Top It Off
It isn’t possible to consider the weight
of lighting in home décor without considering
one the lamp’s most decorative features—the
lampshade. It, too, has evolved from the days
of limited choices.
“Lampshades have gone bonkers,”
says Gilbertson. “There are all these
eclectic shades. It has just exploded.”
Shades have taken on a more decorative look
with a variety of shapes, fabrics, and adornments.
Materials from metal and paper to tapestry
and sheers have made it onto shades. Beads,
stones, wire, fringe, and myriad accoutrements
create an added flare to many designs. Nearly
anything—within safety guidelines—can
be found atop a lampshade.
No longer is the A-frame shade the only choice,
either. Certainly, the off-white silk shade
in its traditional form is available, but
why stop there when you can customize a lamp
with shades shaped in cylinders, spheres,
rectangles, and squares. Many shades are also
designed to fit uniquely with the lamp’s
overall design.
“If [manufacturers] don’t have
unique shades today, [they] are off, off the
market,” “The development of techniques
and technology has taken [designers] outside
of the square box. It’s developed into
a trend that has become fashionable. And,
now I think it has become an art form.”
When it comes to decorating a home, lighting
certainly can’t be left out. A well-chosen
lamp may make all the difference. And finding
the right one shouldn’t be too difficult.
“Lighting has changed dramatically,”
says Gilbertson. “And, of course, it
does a dramatic thing for your house. [Remember],
it is how it’s done that can make a
world of difference.”
TIPS when shopping for decorative lighting:
1. Find an ALA Certified Lighting Consultant
(CLC). He or she can make sure that you choose,
not only a great decorative lamp, but also
one that serves its purpose of lighting the
space properly.
2. Bring in an example. A picture from your
favorite magazine can make it easier for a
salesperson to visualize your needs.
3. Know your budget. The costs of lighting
vary; so remember to keep an open mind in
case the pendant you’re in love with
would break the bank.
4. Bring in swatches, paint chips, and other
examples of the room where the lamp will be
located. That will make it easier to coordinate
with your décor.
5. If you can’t find exactly what you
want, consider having it custom made. Many
lighting companies can do that for you.
Back to the Basics
Even when you’re decorating, it is important
to consider the practical purpose of the lighting
in each room. Choose a light that offers you
the best ambient or overall lighting, task
lighting, and accent lighting based on your
needs. Here’s what you can expect from
some of the most popular fixtures:
Ceiling fixtures are best used for general
lighting.
Chandeliers also create a general lighting
atmosphere. Dimmers can add drama to any room
featuring a chandelier. Don’t be restricted
to using this fixture in the dining room.
They are also ideal in a bedroom or living
room. Some may also have downlights to offer
task lighting.
Hanging fixtures, such as those used in a
foyer, will offer general lighting that will
create a comfortable level of lighting.
Pendants are a versatile way to create task
or general lighting. Although mostly seen
in kitchens, consider hanging several pendants
at various heights over your favorite reading
chair for a stylish accent.
Portable lamps will create general, task,
and accent lighting, but have the added bonus
of being mobile. Table lamps, floor lamps,
and torchieres come in all shapes and sizes
to complement any style.
Recessed lighting hides away in your ceiling
while offering general, task, and accent lighting.
Although not the most stylish collection of
lighting, using recessed lighting may allow
you more options for the rest of your lighting
needs.
Track lighting is flexible enough to offer
each form of lighting and has become a very
stylish choice. You can rotate, swivel, and
aim individual fixtures to meet your needs
as they change.
Wall-mounted fixtures will provide general,
task, and accent lighting. The number of choices
for such fixtures makes them an ideal way
to add style to a room.