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Lights
Good lighting can transform your room and elevate your mood – as well as helping you make best use of the space. Our illuminating selection offers solutions for every need.
melvillous chandelierpookyThere’s a lot going on with this large brass and glass deco-esque pendant. But on the basis that a light needs to look as good off as on, this is a great investment for a sitting room where its job maybe more sculptural than practical. Think of a pendant light as the earrings on an outfit and decide if the dress (sofa/room) needs dressing up or dressing down.
Ero Yellow Velvet & Tassel Drum Pendant LampshadeOliver BonasThis was controversial when I featured it on the Mad About The House blog a while back but it’s still a great light for a bedroom. Fringing is hugely fashionable atm and this soft yellow (there are other colours) is a good strong choice for both dark and light bedrooms. Tip: if your pendant light hangs pointlessly over the end of the bed, then extend the flex and move it to where it will be more useful by draping it down from a cup hook in the ceiling.
Large Frosted Bubble ChandelierDowsing & ReynoldsThere’s something joyous about bubbles – and this lamp, which comes in various sizes, also has various hanging options, a choice of fabric cables, bulb holders and hooks, so you can make it work, whatever your space. It’s also that rare thing - a pendant light that works close to the ceiling so it’s good for modern houses where room height tends to be lower.
Connaught Ceiling Light Dowsing & ReynoldsA pendant that doesn’t actually hang down, so this would be good in a low-ceilinged dining room, for example. The arms also mean the light will stretch to every corner. Fix it to a dimmer switch if you can, then it works for a romantic dinner as well as a wake-up breakfast.
Round diffused wall lightH&M HOMEMore for ambient light than actual threading of needles, this will work nicely in conjunction with table and floor lamps. But, crucially, it will also look really pretty when turned off, so it won’t fight with any pictures you have hanging on the wall.
Grosvenor Wall Light Dowsing & ReynoldsThis will involve more effort to install as it’s not a plug-in, but it will look gorgeous and elegant – either by the bed or at either end of the sofa if there’s no room for a floor light. Wall lights can also be the best solution for halls, as pendants can get in the way of the front door and/or the stairs and there’s often restricted space for furniture.
ned standing lamppookyOne thing to always double check is when lamp bases don’t come with shades. I’ve been caught out by that before, so do always make sure before you buy. This is one of those occasions – and while you might like the styling of the raffia shade, you will need to add to cart independently. I quite like the contrast between the metallic adjustable base and the somewhat low-fi shade.
Glass & Concrete Floor LampCox & CoxWith a clear glass shade, this adjustable lamp makes for a great reading light peering over your shoulder at the end of the sofa or armchair. Pick one of those LED Edison-style bulbs to add a little more interest, since the shade is so minimal.
Pole Walnut stained oak floor lampHabitatI’m a fan of a traditional standard lamp with a wooden base and the lampshade of your choice, and here you have just that. Buy the base - it’s a simple modern shape - and add any shade you want. I’m thinking patterned and fringed to contrast with the minimal base.
Hector Floor Light Holloways of LudlowA classic of the genre, this floor lamp is beautifully made by Original BTC in the UK and will work in any interior - even a chintzy maximalist one - although seek out the translucent bone china shade, which gives off the most beautiful soft light.
