Wall Lights Bring a Room from Drab to Dramatic
If lighting is an afterthought in home decor, then wall lights may be the most overlooked element. Wall lights can be crucial in solving lighting issues, especially in tight or unusual spaces. Of course, they add warmth to any space without being overwhelming and can also serve as an art piece. So many cool wall lights are available that you shouldn’t have a problem finding something that works for your home decor style. Here are some of the newest designs for wall lights that were shown at Maison&Objet 2016 in Paris.
&Tradition
“Light Forest” by Ontwerp Duo (Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wiring) and presented by &Tradition is special in a number or ways. First, for its adaptability: You can configure the fixture any way you want, and point the lights in the direction you need. “Electric points never seem to be where you want them,” says Beunders. “With Light Forest you can have the light points exactly where you want them to shine.”<
Second, the melange of materials and processes used is varied. The branches of the wall light are made from extruded aluminum tubes, joined by plastic connectors that are 3-D printed. Each lampshade is fashioned from spun copper, which the designers say produces a warm and beautiful light.
And last but not least, for its artistry: “We thought about climbing plants entering your room in one spot, slowly growing across the ceilings and walls, and blossoming into flowers of light,” explains the design team.
Art et Floritude
Art et Floritude may be known for producing lighting in an 18th Century French tradition, but they also create some stunning wall lights that would be at home in any modern or contemporary home decor setting. Founded in 1850 in the Loire Valley, the company has built its history on developing and manufacturing decorative metal light fixtures and porcelain flowers. All their collections are just as much art and sculpture as well as lighting fixture.
Lahumiere Design
Founded in 2008, Lahumiere Design is a French studio dedicated to designing and manufacturing contemporary light fixtures that surprise in a minimalist style. Their fixtures mostly use low energy light sources such as the latest generation of LED and compact fluorescent bulbs. Their collection of geometric wall lights — which also come as table lamps — are visual illusions as well.
The “Operandi” wall light moves and does not stop. The layers of the fixture bounce light and create shadows with its four LED lights. The fixture is a commanding design addition and provides a soft and striking light.
“Outright” is a visual deception: A simple form manipulated and lighted to project the image of a cube. It was inspired by a sculpture by Jean-Claude Lahumière (alias Jean D’Imbleval). LED lights make the fixture possible and keep it lightweight, while projecting a beautiful play of light shadows.
Ligne Roset
Known for its artful and luxurious pieces, Ligne Roset offers furniture collections and complementary decorative accessories, lighting, rugs, textiles and occasional items. Among their lighting options are some minimalist and very functional wall lights.
Tekna
Belgian company Tekna produces fixtures for NAUTIC, as well as providing lighting advice and creating custom lighting fixtures for design projects. Nautic light fixtures are made with materials such as bronze, copper, cast iron and brass, aiming for “honest design.” Their eclectic lights are timeless, modern and inspired by old trains and ships from a bygone age.
Innermost
The founders of Innermost — a London lighting design company — gave up their jobs in design consulting and furniture design to pursue a “shared dream of a unique but diverse furniture and lighting brand.” The company has a “quirky and rebellious approach to design driven by high-spirited London culture,” explains their website.
Drugeot Labo
While France’s Drugeot Labo may have arisen from a cider barrel-making company, the fixtures it now produces are far from rustic. Jean-Louis Rochepeau, the father of the current directors, designed wooden objects on his own in his workshop near the Drugeot river. In 1969, he started Les Ateliers du Drugeot and designed a range of occasional wood furniture in solid oak and cherry. Now the studios create pieces that work in today’s modern and contemporary home interiors.
Brokis
Based in the Czech Republic, BROKIS creates designs that are enhanced by the craftsmanship of Bohemian glass artisans. Its award-winning collections are originals that combine traditional, hand-blown glass with other materials, such as wood and hand-pressed metal.
Modern or not, wall lights can be a space-saving and artful design feature in your home. Making proper use of them in your lighting plan can elevate a room from ho-hum to fantastic.