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for a space is like naming your child: it’s personal. Often the focal point of a room, a fixture should, first and foremost, be chosen based on its ability to properly illuminate the space which it inhabits. Once function is been laid to rest, said fixture should be assessed according to aesthetic. Does it speak to your personal sense of style? Will it enhance the overall mood of the space?
For years, statement lighting has played an essential role in informing the overall decorative direction of a well-designed room, and 2018 is certainly no exception. Abstract orbs, silky smooth metals, and cage-like compositions are among the many trends taking shape right now.
To help paint a clearer picture of the overhead fixtures worth knowing about, Sheva Knopfler, creative director and co-founder at lights.com, got real with us about the standout pieces she’s currently seeing. Ahead, we run through everything you need to know about the eight most popular trends in lighting right now.
What
: Aged bronze
Looks best when:
Done artfully and minimally.
Get the look:
Haleigh 8” Oil-Rubbed Bronze Dome Pendant, Rejuvenation, $349 (high); Heirloom Pendant, Lightology, $226 (medium); Prospect 4-Light Linear Pendant, Lights.com, $149 (low)
So long copper and brass, there’s a new metal on the scene. “Bronze has quickly taken over the limelight in 2018, especially for statement lighting fixtures like chandeliers and pendant lights,” says Knopfler. “As warmer, more subdued color palettes make their way into the zeitgeist, replacing the stark grays and whites of the minimalist trend, bronze has made a sweeping entrance with statement lighting.”
Given its antique aura, you may feel inclined to take a more rustic route with this rich metal. Although it may feel counterintuitive, bronze can work wonders when relegated to a strictly contemporary setting. We’re taking major cues from the museum-worthy display at work inside this NYC loft.
What:
White globe pendants
Looks best when:
There’s more than one.
Get the look:
3 Powell LED 10″ Globe Pendants and Rectangle Canopy, lights.com, $549 (high); Bonaire 1-Light Globe Pendant, AllModern, $258 (medium); Milagro Pendant by Eglo, Lumens, $68+ (low)
“From Parisian cafes to mid-century interior decor, the white globe pendant has proven to be a timeless classic that is here to stay,” shares Knopfler.
It’s true that there’s strength in numbers. In Angela Chrusciaki Blehm’s Georgia kitchen, a custom wood fixture designed by Chris Lund houses not one, but three individual orbs. Alone, a singular globe might have stunned, but this threesome was designed for serious impact.
What:
Mid-century silhouettes
Looks best when:
You embrace the style elsewhere.
Get the look:
PH5 Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen Lighting, Design Within Reach, $996 (high); George Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant, YLighting, $395+ (medium); Haugland 3-Light Drum Pendant, AllModern, $158 (low)
“The mid-century modern aesthetic has a lot to love and has had unprecedented lasting power,” notes Knopfler. “Who doesn’t love interesting, simple silhouettes? We’re seeing these classic shapes but with fun new spins, from metal finishes to eye-catching textures.”
The secret to pulling off mid-century modern is commitment. If you live in a mid-century home or happen to have collected a number of pieces over the years, fully embrace that design scheme. While iconic mid-century fixtures—be it Poul Henningsen’s PH5 pendant lamp (seen above) or George Nelson’s ball bubble pendant light—will always elevate any room they grace, they only truly shine when the furniture and architecture mimic the same thought.
What:
Black industrial pendant
Looks best when:
Contrast steals the show.
Get the look:
Loft Pendant by LBL Lighting, Lightology, $795 (high); Donna Pendant 8” – Black Anodized, Schoolhouse Electric, $299 (medium); Bergen Oval Pendant, lights.com, $69 (low)
Black accents have long been on our trend radar for a reason. If you’re working with a smaller layout, nothing expands the visual depth of a space quite like a matte black pendant in an exclusively crisp white room. A fresh take on the modern farmhouse, interior designer and HGTV star Leanne Ford’s edgy-industrial LA bedroom is a superior example of what it means to live in black and white.
What:
Polished nickel and chrome
Looks best when:
Surrounded by soft textures.
Get the look:
Eurofase Lumino Chrome Ceiling Light, Lamps Plus, $1,200 (high); Harper 18″ LED Glass Rod Pendant, lights.com, $349 (medium); Elisio 18” Adjustable Pendant by Safavieh, Target, $170 (low)
“Silvery, smooth metals are synonymous with crisp, modern elements. Polished nickel and chrome have been running parallel to the bronze trend, intersecting now as the bold go-to for ‘mixing metals,’” Knopfler tells Domino.
Remember: Opposites attract. Encompassed by a rich array of ultra-plush textiles that ultimately defy its sturdy metal ways, this light fixture in blogger Cara Irwin’s work space instantly draws the eye up. Here, it’s difference (and not cohesion!) that has sparked a dynamic conversation between the various furnishings in the room.
What
: The basket
Looks best when:
You don’t go full boho.
Get the look:
Hemp Basket Pendant, Shades of Light, $428 (high); Santa Barbara Pendant, Serena & Lily, $298 (medium); Basket Weave Bamboo Pendant Shade, World Market, $70 (low)
Once relegated to storage vessels, perforated finds and other caged forms are taking on new life in the realm of lighting. From a decorative perspective, this kitchen’s dining set up works because it’s not what you’d expect. While it would certainly make sense to find a similar surfer-chic statement being made in a more bohemian setting, this minimal, rustic arrangement makes the most of its woven ways. Of course, an edgy splash of black only elevates the scene.
What:
Starburst chandelier
Looks best when:
Glam is the goal.
Get the look:
Contemporary Chandelier by ZEEV Lighting, Houzz, $959 (high); Mid Century Modern Gold Brass Spurchin Chandelier, Etsy, $570 (medium); Mercer41 Hellwig 9-Light Sputnik Chandelier, Wayfair, $218 (low)
With celestial stems jutting out from just about every direction, know that a starburst fixture is going to make a loud statement—no matter where you choose to hang it. Once you’ve accepted its wild ways, kick the glam into high gear by bringing in other sultry elements (think: pink velvet, sparkly gemstones, and eye-catching metallics). In this dining room designed by Kelly Hinchman, gold is the glue that holds the room together.
What
: Exposed bulb pendants
Looks best when:
You’re having fun.
Get the look:
20th C. Factory Filament Bare Bulb Pendant, Restoration Hardware, $277+ (high); SoCo Modern Socket Pendant, Lumens, $95+ (medium); Plug-In Pendant Light, Color Cord Company, $35 (low)
There’s something totally electric about a light that lets you observe it in its purest form. With little left to discover, exposed bulb pendants are an incredibly unique way to illuminate a space. Given the vintage appeal, a naked fixture like this looks best when you get creative with color. Take it from this fun-loving Tel Aviv home: A hit of hot pink and an Edison bulb can bring even the tiniest spaces to life.
Need help finding the right fixture for your room?
For Trendy Lighting You Can Afford, Shop These 6 Stores Cool Plug-In Sconces That’ll Change Your Bedroom For the Better 10 Ways Lighting Can Double as Art
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