Lighting Trends



Often home interiors gets a facelift with freshened paint. Maybe a feature wall of on trend wallpaper and a few new objects to dress the room and then most people stop short of changing the light fitting. This astonishes us, they do all the hard work of painting stripping paper but the simple job is left undone. We pondered why, most people want to see their home in a new light, but instead keep the old, outdated light in place. This is a real shame as changing your light is a simple job for an electrician and this single change can have a real transformative effect on a room.

At 'The Lighting Company' can help. This month we focus on creating a well lit home office, but we have help for every room in the home via blogs and our very own 'Trend Boards' designed to inspire. You'll soon be giving your home a bright new look.

So why do some people live with boring bland Lighting, We pondered, we wonder if folks have no idea what to choose and asked some of our past customers their thoughts. What difference had new lighting made to the room and how they'd chosen it. And why they didn't feel confident in the past. The replies may help you. This is not a detailed survey, simply asking some customers ad-hoc as and when they visited and re-visited our showroom. We also asked what they thought about the new lights.

What prompted you to change your lights?
The replies in the main fell into 3 camps when asked "what prompted you to change your lights?"
They simply needed a new light because the old was broken.
Replacement bulbs had been difficult to find.
They wanted something nicer to look at.

What do you think of your new lights now?
The replies regarding this ranged a little wider. Having said that all were were all amazed at how many visitors complimented their lights. This was the thing that surprised most visitors.
Other comments included it goes better in the room than the old one.
It's brighter.
More modern than before.
Better energy saving.
It fits better with the period of the home.
Easier to keep clean than my old light.
I like the room more.
In fact there was so many variations in praise of the new lights we simply cannot recall all of them.

Lastly we said
What stopped you buying a new light before?
The most frequent responses included-
Didn't know what was right for the space.
It seemed too technical.
Simply didn't know what was trendy or fashionable for lights.

If you've felt the same and want new lights and some of those compliments we mentioned earlier- we can help. We help you solve these dilemma's let us shed some light! Oops a little lighting pun.

As you'd expect we have plenty of technical knowledge just a phone call or email away and we promise we don't talk jargon. If you'd prefer to do a little light reading yourself first (oops a pun again) we have plenty of helpful guides too which can be found on our main blog along with the top lighting trends and hotly predicted new trends. We've attached a few links to help you find more detailed information.
Looking for the top trending light fittings checkout our website https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/
Read the main blog. https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/blog/ this is well worth a read. If you subscribe to receive newsletters you'll get a FREE digital magazine and it's really good a lovely read and plenty of lovely pictures.
Email us sales@lightingcompany.co.uk
or call us 01643 707505

We are always happy to help!

Garden lighting has a number of functions. Firstly it increases the safety and security around your home allowing visitors to walk safely to your front door after dark and guiding you around your plot or up any steps at night. It also acts as a deterrent to unwanted visitors as burglars tend to avoid well lit properties where they can be observed. 

Secondly effective garden lighting can extend your living space outdoors after dark. Sitting on the patio as the sun goes down on a summer evening with a glass of wine in hand, what could be better? And, even if it is too cold to sit outside, you can still enjoy your illuminated garden from inside your home. Finally garden lighting can add a touch of drama to your night time garden, completely changing the atmosphere by the use of light and shadows to create magical 3D effects. 

The most effective garden lighting schemes combine all these aspects.

Here are OUR TOP TIPS for creating good garden lighting

• Don’t overdo it! You are not aiming for Blackpool illuminations or an airport runway. Plan your scheme carefully and don’t be tempted to use too many different lighting effects or styles.
• Very bright garden lighting can be garish and we would recommend keeping the more powerful floodlights and bulk head lighting for security and commercial applications.
• Identify the different areas of your garden and how you wish to use them. Properly done, garden lighting can transform your outdoor space creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• There are lots of ideas and inspiration around in our towns and cities. Look at the way in which buildings and other features are illuminated at night and take these ideas home with you.
• Backlighting can be most effective. When the back of your garden is lit, the best features of your garden will dominate the scene to create a 3D effect. Lighting trees and other features in the background, from behind, will create silhouettes in the foreground. Up lighting a hedge behind a tree or shrub will have the same effect.
• Lighting Trees.  Large trees are always great lit up. If you have a large tree in the middle of the lawn consider recessing up-lights or using spike lights in the ground beneath the tree, and then using 2 or 3 more lights in the tree itself to highlight the canopy and illuminate the branches and different  textures. Thread fairy lights through the branches of a tree to mimic stars.
• Seating and dining areas are best lit using down lights, as using bright up-lighting will dazzle and reduce the overall effect you want to achieve. Hang a series of outdoor pendant lights in nearby trees to create a contemporary look.
• Lighting lawns can be tricky and they are probably best left in darkness to provide depth and as a frame for other surrounding illuminated areas.
• Steps should always be illuminated to prevent accidents. This can be done by recessing spotlights into the walls by the steps or by using spike lights or solar lights in the ground beside the steps.
• Decking. Outdoor low energy LED spotlights set into decking areas are simple but effective. Some well-placed garden pots beside some of the spotlights can create some interesting light and shadow effects.
• Highlight a special feature or plant by training a spotlight onto it.
• Position lights to “up graze” the façade of your house or fix them high up and focus the beams of light down the wall.
• Lighting water features. Underwater lighting is most effective when the water is clear and the lights can be used to illuminate a fountain or other feature. Consider illuminating a feature or plant close to water to create a mirrored image on the surface of the water.
• Use strings of white or coloured lights in different shapes for a fun look for parties. These are relatively cheap to buy and can be moved around as you wish.
• Solar lighting. An alternative to using electricity. These are low in intensity and give off a soft glow. They are cheap to buy and safe. Stainless steel solar spike lights can be used to provide light by a path or around a terrace.
• Be aware of the effects of garden lighting on wildlife and the environment.  Many animals become disorientated by artificial lighting and you can lessen the impact by aiming lights carefully and turning them off when not in use. The use of hoods over lights to direct the light downwards will reduce light pollution.
• Use low energy and LED lights where possible.
• Consider having sensor powered lights that come on when anyone approaches. Using timers or remote controls will allow you to control your outside lighting.
• Use the best quality outdoor lighting that you can afford. It will offer you more options and last longer than some of the cheaper fittings. And remember you will need a registered electrician for all mains garden installations.
• Ask experts for advise if you have commercial lighting requirements, if your in a ‘Dark Sky’ area ‘national parks’ or have bats. Experts such as The Lighting Company will be able to offer advice via email.

See our top selling Outdoor Lighting ranges here: https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/outdoor-lights-c27#sort9

Visit our website for lots of outdoor lighting: www.lightingcompany.co.uk

Lighting for Hotels and the hospitality sectors.

Bedside lights for hotels.

Fixing lights to the wall is often better than using a free standing bedside table lamp. The key thing here is to leave space on the bedside cabinets, for the paraphernalia needed during the night. When you’re younger you may just have a mobile phone, I know many will think what else do you need! Let me explain what else may be required as you get older- a book maybe, well that will mean you'll need glasses no doubt. Oh a glass of water, pills and potions. From a hoteliers point of view mounting lights on the wall limits damage too, no risk of toppling over a lamp if it's secured to the wall.

Space is gained from on the bedside cabinets when lights are mounted on the bed head wall good leaving space for the guests use. The guest experience should be paramount. Often hotel bedroom bedside lights are dual switched, so you can have a soft ambient light for snuggling up, romance or watching TV. While a smaller moveable light can be used as a reading light. Often the smaller reading light is LED which is cool to the touch.

LED lighting not only saves money on the running costs but it avoids the risks of burning your hands on a hot bulb when you are feeling sleepy. 

Boutique hotels may prefer a clever twist and have hanging pendant lights, this is a visual treat but not as practical as bedside wall lights. When wall lights remain fixed, you are less likely to bash them, but pendants are a good alternative, if this option is used opt for metal or acrylic pendants.

Babies Room….Every parent wants the very best for their new baby. Their world should be filled with colourful fun things to stimulate them. A colourful light can act much as a mobile does by attracting and entertaining the child. The Lighting Company has a super range of children’s lights to choose from. Top tip – choose a light that looks toy like for the ceiling and make it part of the bedtime routine. Saying “nighty nighty to Mr. Light” can help the very young if they know that the light also goes to sleep. Many of the children’s lights to buy from The Lighting Company have names. ‘Ruby’ is a lovely little caterpillar light or how about ‘Drakey’ who is a fun loving little dragon. Some parents prefer to have a dim light so they can peep in and check on their baby during the night. Also some children want, or need, the security of a dim light. If this is the case fit a dimmer switch on the wall and dim the light down low when it’s time for sleep. Alternatively invest in a small dimly lit lamp. Please take great care that it isn’t positioned near the cot or bed as any trailing cables can be dangerous.The latest introduction to the range are this fabulous innovative kids lights. https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/table-floor-lamps-c5/childrens-table-lamps-c52

Room to Grow…….You may prefer to have a lighting scheme that is suitable for both younger and older children. The basics of this type of lighting is getting a core scheme that is suitable for small children and will still appeal to the older child – we call it giving them ‘room to grow’. Lighting for a child’s room isn’t too difficult when you think about it. We all want a light that can be switched on as you walk into the room and this will generally be a centre light. We want a good reading light and some mood lighting for relaxing. The key is to opt for sensible ceiling lights which can either be fun coloured spotlights or a brightly coloured shade. Both of these types of light will be colourful enough for the young and can work well with the ‘Barbie’ bedding’ or the boutique hotel bedroom or alternatively ‘Bob the Builder’ or Body Builder! We recommend fun and functional but not too tied to an age group.

Team the ceiling light with a bedside wall light in a matching style ensuring that it is cool to the touch. If you can have a wall light that switches on and off from the fitting, it will give you the opportunity to reduce the light level if needed. It may also a good idea if this type of light can be mounted on the wall above a desk or table to be used as a study light when the child gets a little older.A fabulous range of exciting Funky Lights in bright vibrant colours aptly called Funk is an ideal choice. With the ‘Funk’ range you can mix and match have blue cable and zesty yellow shade if you like. Shades are available in Yellow, Blue, Red, Green, Purple, Turquoise, Gloss White, and even a clear. The Coloured Cord too has a huge choice of colours. Look for yourself so many Funky Lights at The Lighting Company. Any free standing table lamps should be out of reach of toddlers. Lighting a child room or play room consider how hot light bulbs can be, when ever possible choose lights that are cooler to the touch. Some of the coolest bulbs on the market are also the most energy saving too. LED bulbs and fluorescent are both energy saving and cooler to the touch. Most parents and Guardians with older children to care for will agree, kids just don’t think about switching lights off. Low energy could save you money as your child grows. Grandparents often wish to be involved too! At The Lighting Company we have noticed a growing trend for Nanny & Gramps buying babies first light. Why not, there really wasn’t this type of cute lighting when they had their babies.

Lighting Artwork.

Perfect Picture Lighting.

Although most people will have seen paintings lit in art galleries and stately homes, they never think of lighting their own pictures at home. There is little point in having a picture or painting that you cannot see and by adding suitable lighting will bring out the detail, colour and beauty of your artwork. The first consideration is to decide what pictures and where to position them. Choose pictures and art work that complement your room – vibrant coloured art work adds excitement whilst more neutral watercolours and paintings are more calming. One large painting can make a real statement but a group of pictures or collection of framed family photos is more homely.Consider the furniture and other objects in the room when deciding where to position your pictures as you will need to maintain a sense of balance

within the room. It helps if you can get someone to hold your pictures in several places so you can decide what looks best. Most people hang pictures too high– as a general rule aim for the centre/focus of the picture to be at eye level. Yes, I know this will vary depending on your height, but if you aim for about 60-65” from floor level this should be about right.

The next thing to consider is how much light (including natural daylight) you already have in the room. Artwork needs to be protected from light damage and by far the most damage comes from daylight, but you will also need to protect your artwork from damage that can be caused from artificial light. Try to position your picture out of direct sunlight and limit the amount of time you light it artificially Fluorescent bulbs have an excess of UV light which fades colour quicker so this type of picture lighting is probably best avoided if you have a valuable painting. Watercolours need a lower level of illumination whilst modern acrylic artwork will need lots of bright light. The light level can often be adjusted by changing the wattage of the bulbs used. If your picture or painting is behind glass you could be bothered by glare. Experiment a bit and try lighting from different angles to reduce the glare. If it is still a problem, you could consider replacing the glass with a non-reflective glass– check carefully before you do this though as it could make your picture look slightly fuzzy. When lighting pictures you should aim for an even spread of light across the whole surface. This can best be achieved by using a purpose made picture light positioned directly above your picture to offer illumination without obstruction. If you are fitting out a room for the first time or revamping and old room consider routing the electric cable through the wall as hanging wires and conduits are not too attractive. If you are unable to use a purpose made picture light then experiment with using other methods of lighting. You could consider an uplighter floor light that can be angled to direct the light onto your picture from below or alternatively use wall spotlighting or ceiling spotlighting where the individual spots can be adjusted to angle the light. Floor lamps and table lamps that have directional light are also useful.

Want to but picture lights? Visit The Lighting Company who have a great selection online. 

Tiffany Lighting the Great Gatsby Era.

Tiffany Lighting, Art Nouveau and Art Deco ‘The Great Gatsby’ Era

May 11, 2013

Tiffany Style Lighting.

Tiffany has become a generic term for all lighting made with stained glass and art glass. Whilst these lamps and lights are not the work of Tiffany, they are termed ‘tiffany’ simply as a description which generally means a reproduction in the style of Tiffany. Reproduction Tiffany style lamps vary in price depending often on the quality of glass used and the time taken to craft the lamp. Tiffany style lights replicate the wonderful stylised flowers or dragonflies made famous by Tiffany and Mackintosh. Each piece is unique, not a copy but a new creation, in its own right. Subtle differences in the patterns and the way each piece of glass is soldered simply cannot be copied exactly. Tiffany reproductions can be thought of as antiques of the future. Tiffany lamps and light fittings are passed from one generation to the next; they are never or rarely replaced by modern lights or hidden from view. Tiffany style lights are suitable for older homes, period properties and modern new homes alike.

Tiffany Styled Dragonfly lamp with tiled base.

Thinking of buying Tiffany lamps, Tiffany pendant lights and stained glass lights? 

Tiffany style lights are often expensive because they are handmade and the more intricate designs involve time consuming detailed work. Tiffany style lighting is also made using expensive materials – coloured and textured stained art glass. The better the quality of glass the more expensive the lights can be. Some of the basic styles still require a lot of skilled workmanship as even plain colour lamps are often made from curved glass panels known as ‘bent glass.’ The base or stem of Tiffany style lights is often neglected in cheaper reproductions – if the budget allows choose tiled bases, or those with heavily grooved lily pad designs for a quality crafted look. Larger table lamps and standard lamps often have pull cords which dangle under the shade, much as you would expect to find on original lamps from the 1900’s. The presence of a pull cord on Tiffany style lamps does of course act as a separate on off switch. Sometimes two pull cords are visible to allow for two levels of switching – I guess a very early form of a dimmer.

History of Tiffany, William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. 

Louis Comfort Tiffany, an American, was the son of the well know Charles Lewis Tiffany of Tiffany and Co, a very reputable store selling fine silverware and jewellery. Was this where his love of art began? He studied art and like all artists and creators had an interest in Art from around the world and was aware of the Arts and Crafts movement in England. Things were beginning to change and artists became more involved in the making and crafting of their own designs. Louis Comfort Tiffany was from a wealthy family which afforded him time to travel and learn his craft. He began as a painter and used strong vibrant colours and became the equivalent of an interior artist designing pottery, glass and fabrics. The Arts and Crafts style in Great Britain and notably William Morris influenced Tiffany’s approach to design and he collaborated with other artists until he began to work with glass. Glass panels and lamps became his enduring legacy. Tiffany lamps are highly prized and originals can be many thousands of pounds. Many of these lamps were not electric lights as we know them today. Electric lighting was a later bonus that maximised the effect of the beautiful coloured and stained glass whilst shielding the harshness of the electric bulbs to give a more pleasing lighting effect. Some of the most well know lamp designs would have featured dragonflies, wisteria, water lilies and lots of naturalistic flora and fauna.

This style of Art Deco Lamp would have been around in the 1920′s to 1930′s the era of ‘The Great Gasby’

In the UK the Arts and Crafts movement flourished from around 1860 to 1901and William Morris and others were influential here in the UK and in North America. The Arts and Crafts Movement was to move away from the mass produced items in favour of artisan hand crafted and handmade items. The William Morris legacy lives on as his designs of wallpaper and fabrics are still sold today. The Lighting Company has recently supplied lights for the William Morris gallery in the UK and we hope that William Morris would have approved. The LINDISFARNE wall light is UK made and the fittings are all hand finished.

Art Nouveau with its continental influences emerged in 1880 through to the early 1900′s. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, so often associated with the Art Nouveau period, was the son of a police superintendent.  Born in Glasgow, Mackintosh became an architect and although his career was fairly established he was hugely influential in the style of Art Nouveau. He was regarded more highly abroad and exhibited in Vienna but was largely ignored at home save for the ‘Tea Rooms’ where his architectural decorative designs were very successful. Mackintosh collaborated with other artists and established a small group of Arty types known as ‘The Four’ – one of the four was to later become his wife. Their collaborations included her floral style designs and his linear designs. Mackintosh’s work is thought to have been influenced by Scottish patriotism and has strong Celtic symbolic lines. His furniture too has a linear almost ladder like style. This linear theme combined with the stylised rose is often the iconic design shown in stained glass windows and art glass lamps. The Mackintosh Rose is possibly the most recognisable design in table lamps and wall lamps and although is often called Tiffany it is more truly Mackintosh. Mackintosh was more highly regarded after his death and his work is now appreciated in his birthplace and throughout the UK.

What’s the difference between Art Deco and Art Nouveau?

There is always much debate about what is Art Deco and what is Art Nouveau. They are in fact different eras. Art Nouveau had largely run its course by the outbreak of World War I, while Art Deco was much later in the1920’s and 1930’s.
In terms of style both Deco and Nouveau have similarities. Art Deco was more industrial or architectural – think of how a child draws ‘sun rays’ bold and blocky. Deco did not have floral themes and in place of the pretty embellished and stylised flowers were strong shapes – think of the Chrysler and Hoover buildings in America, a whole host of traditional cinemas and even the Battersea Power Station!

Art Deco ceiling hanging light typical of 1920′s to 1930′s

Art Deco was a time for celebrating industry -an optimistic almost decadent time between the two World Wars. Everything seemed new, there were planes, trains and automobiles, talking movies too. Cinema style lighting is a good example of the Art Deco style. Wall washer lights in glass or metal in the same bold deco shapes as the buildings were used to dress the interior walls of cinemas or picture houses and other public buildings. Holophane glass with chrome or silver detailing was popular. Women were often depicted in Art Deco artwork – the ‘spirit of ecstasy’ used as the bonnet ornament on Rolls Royce automobiles is a well known example. To decorate your home with lamps of the Deco period look for silver or bronzed female figures looking triumphant (women now had the vote) often depicted holding a ball. The1928 Olympic Games saw women taking part in the athletics and gymnastics for the first time. Everything seemed achievable and modern in the 1920 and 1930′s.

These are just some of the design details to look out for when buying light fittings in Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Arts and Craft styles. Many of us live in houses built in the 1920’s and 1930’s and the Lighting Company and its sister company Bespoke Lights are happy to share this information with you to help you choose the correct light fittings for your home.

Just a few lights to give you an idea of what is available from the Lighting Company’s on line store 

Art Deco Lighting
Styling from the era of ‘The Great Gatsby’

 Want to buy Tiffany style lamps shop now.
Buy Tiffany Ceiling lamps
Buy Tiffany wall Lights
Arts and Craft wall light featured in the William Morris Gallery buy the same.

Posted by Lynne Hickin

Tags: Tiffany Lighting
Posted in Tiffany Style Lighting

Homebuilding & Renovating

What a busy week at work, I love my job though! This week we are getting ready for an exhibition at the NEC. We are taking lots of new lights to the homebuilding and renovating show, it's a national event with everything you can think of, for the home! It does mean I get to see all the exciting lights first, but the downside is......as soon as we get there I want to look around. No chance, busy again!!!!!!

I do get excited about the exhibition, last year, I talked to hundreds of people who are building or renovating their homes. It was great to give them some idea's of how to light their homes and I got a bit of inspiration back, when I saw some of the grand plans, people have.

Oh to win the lottery!

Oh if anyone wants to go to the Exhibition, I have free tickets they admit 2 and the show is at the end of this month over 4 days, it's a good exhibition why not visit. Have a look on our website for the free tickets. www.thelightingcompany.net