As the nights draw in it’s time to say goodbye to last year’s industrial designs and exposed filaments and swap them for softer, more decorative styles.
Euroluce 2019, which ran in tandem with Salone del Mobile, sets the trends for lighting and the importance of organic forms and natural elements such as leaves, butterflies and birds informing designs was emphasised. Artemide’s impressive Light Station demonstrated how and why the experience of light – from its environmental quality, and the emotion and perception it generates, to the interaction we have with lights – is so important. Artemide was the first to introduce Li-Fi (or light fidelity) demonstrating the possible integration between light and data. Interactive features such as sensors and voice control and new applications such as air control, heat maps and the patented Circadian rhythm illustrate the future of lighting. The conclusion: lights are not just a product but also a service. Ikea’s Symfonisk doubles as a table lamp and Sonos speaker and its Tradfi starter kit includes a gateway, remote control and two smart light bulbs.
Interestingly, while certain lights are becoming more sculptural, the light they emit is softer and more nuanced –perfect for relaxing and reminiscent of the glow from a good beeswax candle.
PENDANT AND CEILING LIGHTS
As lighting becomes more decorative, to the point that the fixtures are considered art, pendant or ceiling lights are often a statement fixture.
WALL LIGHTS
Where once sconces were ornamental, wall lights have become as much about the shadows they cast as the light they beam. These poetic pieces are more than just lamps, they induce a profound and unique experience of light.
George Nelson Bubble Sconce, £479.40, Herman Miller; www.nest.co.uk.
TABLE LIGHTS
The building blocks of great interior design are often small investments. Reading lamps fulfil that function – one can cast a reading light in a dim living room and add a sculptural talking point to an end table when unlit. The Pipistrello lamp by Martinelli Luce is an icon dating back to 1965; as striking today as it was 54 years ago.
FLOOR LIGHTS
As we return to more subdued colours in decoration it is also reflected in more organic shapes in furniture, and floor lamps. Rattan and bamboo shades are trending and add a tropical vibe, while coloured glass lamps are on the rise, giving an entirely different mood. Marcel Wanders has used the flower motif in his Nightbloom for Lladro inspired by the way petals move in the wind; the porcelain leaves emit a soft gold glow. A rule of thumb for buying is to invest in a classic design which transcend fashions and eras.
CHANDELIERS
Spanning the width of a room with clean lines, simple fixtures and exposed bulbs are trending. For a similar version to this try the Glass Orb chandelier at The White Company, €520.
