 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. “The industry has evolved,”
says Monty Gilbertson, CLC, manager and buyer for Lighting Design by Wettstein’s
in Lacrosse, WI. “There was a time 10 to 12 years ago when lighting was in a
rut. In the last few years—really five to eight—it has turned almost into more
of an apparel-type market … where on a year-to-year basis there can be some hot
spots. There are a lot of new looks every year.” 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. Many of the
painted finishes look so much like an original weathered finish that the
consumer won’t be able to tell, says Todd Langner, vice president of marketing
and product development for Kichler in Cleveland, OH. “The whole array of
darker, richer bronzes is still very, very strong,” he says. 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,” says home furnishings and lighting designer Sergio
Orozco, owner of Sergio Orozco Designs Inc., in West New York, New Jersey. “That
is the ultimate objective. That way, … it is an accessory. The objective here is
to make each luminary a piece of architecture.” 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. “We’re all designing in a
tremendous amount of additional detail,” says Langner. “That does include a lot
of hanging ornaments on the shade, whether it is crystal or beads or whatever …
It’s been a growing trend for several years.” 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,” says Orozco. “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.” 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. 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: 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. For more information, visit
the ALA web site at www.americanlightingassoc.com or call
toll free 1-800-BRIGHT IDEAS (1-800-274-4484). -ala- For more information:
Larry Lauck
800.605.4448 x27
llauck@americanlightingassoc.com |