In The Spotlight

Let there be light! … Or so the cliché goes. The make or break of any room is a design forward lighting scheme. Not only for practicality’s sake, targeted lighting can really set the mood for a space evoking any sense you may desire whether that be drama, calm, moodiness or openness. A well-considered scheme will cater to the room’s day to day needs but also leave deliberate highlights and shadows on key features that reflect the room’s best visual qualities.

Coco Pendant by Coco Flip

An oversized pendant is an instant visual drawcard, best suited in large entry halls or to create a sense of intimacy and modern sophistication when hung over a dining table. For an ultra-contemporary interpretation let scale be your main feature of note like this design from local Melbourne brand Coco Flip. The Coco Pendant’s bulbous shape has an elegant sense of ease to it whilst generously occupying the eye’s gaze. A combination of Victorian Ash timber and powder coated aluminium together crafting a perfect harmony of minimal design and smooth rounded forms.

Lord Sconce by Dowel Jones

Switching scales now, a wall sconce has had a contemporary makeover of late. Modern minimal lines and an emphasis on geometric forms have interpreted this lighting style into well designed bathrooms, bedsides and small feature nooks. The Lord Sconce by Dowel Jones is a prime example of this, highly simplistic shapes and an exposed oversized light bulb sit on a solid brass or powder coated base, casting an understated yet sophisticated highlight.

Attalos Table Lamp by Marz Designs

Dress a sideboard or entry table with a sculptural form that not only adds luminosity but a touch of architectural interest. The Attalos Table Lamp by Marz Design has all of the features to become a highlight piece without overwhelming other statement furniture pieces. This Sydney made piece consists of a globe like frosted glass bulb, perched on a solid brass fluted base reminiscent of ancient columns manifested in a highly modern aesthetic. We highly recommend you check out the rest of their collection for other equally exquisite geometric focused designs.

Images courtesy of Marz Designs.

Cherry Large Pendant by Petite Friture x Daniel and Emma

For a visual drawcard, a balance between sleek design and playful composition adds a sense of quirk and character to a room. Our pick is the Cherry Large Pendant, a collaboration between Adelaide studio Daniel and Emma and French producer Petite Friture. In their own words the Cherry is “based around the ‘cherry’ on top of an ice cream” and it truly carries that sense of jovial contradiction with it’s golden bulb suspended beneath the angular cone shade.

Images courtesy of Daniel and Emma.

Theia P by Est Lighting Solutions

The pedestal lamp is a standalone structure that no living space or reading corner should be without. A detailed piece of hardware will complement the soft furnishings of couches and armchairs and the Theia P by Est Lighting Solutions is our favourite living room accessory. It’s first impression is that of a space aged gadget rather, it’s origins lie in its name- Theia being the Greek goddess of the sun, the moon and the dawn conjuring the idea for the object’s merging of both light and shadow in a single piece. It’s eclipse like design can be directed for focused task lighting like reading or to cast specific light and shadow against solid planes.

Images courtesy of Est Lighting Solutions and Y Lighting.

Line Pendant by Douglass and Bec

For the ultimate lighting feature a chandelier is an age old go-to. Modern interpretations put metallics in focus and simplify nostalgic detailing in favour of form. The Line Pendant is our favourite example of this, by local design gurus Douglas and Bec. The Line’s candy like lollipop bulbs are suspended on a sleek metallic frame, available in the brass finish your choice. The collection’s elegance lies in it’s sophisticated balance of smooth rounded forms and polished surface materials.

Images courtesy of Douglas and Bec and Pippa Drummond for Sight Unseen.

No matter what your space there are numerous opportunities to transform the overall look and feel with lighting. Whether your goal is targeted illumination with a play on shadow or as light and luminous as possible, consider your investment in well designed original pieces that serve you practically as well as visually.

Explore more design, interior & architecture archives in our TLP Archives Gallery.     

Keep up to date with The Local Project’s latest interviews, project overviews, collections releases and more – view our TLP Articles & News.