Tip: Rethink Fixture Height
Kichler’s Escala fixture is designed to drop to a pendant length of 26¾ inches, but Jeff Dross says that designers shouldn’t feel tied to product specs. Dross, corporate director of education and industry trends for Kichler, says design is dictating some nontraditional installations, such as placing pendants closer to the ceiling. “Interior design is trending away from two-story foyers and back to 9-foot ceilings,” he adds. “Even though you have a lower ceiling, you still want to make a dramatic and impactful design statement.” Escala’s Mid-Century Modern aesthetic is available in one-, two-, or three-light configurations. Kichler | 866.558.5706 | kichler.com
Trend: Hang On
1. Vintage Schoolhouse
Get a vintage vibe with schoolhouse lighting such as the Plymouth collection fixture. The aesthetic was originally used in school houses, libraries, and municipal buildings because the white glass diffused the light so efficiently.
WAC Lighting | 800.526.2588 | waclighting.com
2. Sleek & Stylish
Move over, swirly art glass. Sleek, geometric shades like Magellan’s can complement modern designs. The Magellan pendant features an opal blown-glass shade with scarlet striping and nickel-finished hardware.
Meyda Tiffany | 800.843.1602 | meyda.com
3. Industrial Chic
When modern and traditional design styles overlap, lighting can bring them together. The Pratt St. collection’s industrial design is tempered by softer finishes such as autumn bronze or brushed nickel. Choose from a prismatic glass or metal dome.
Sea Gull Lighting | 800.347.5483 | seagulllighting.com
Tech: Slim Solution
In basements and odd interior spaces where daylighting isn’t an option, try Pixi Lighting’s LED FlatLight. The bevel-edged fixtures feature an internal power supply and come with a mounting plate for surface installation, giving them the feel of a window or skylight. For residential installations, three panel sizes are available, including 1-foot and 2-foot squares, or a 1-by-2-foot rectangle. All measure just over ½ inch thick. The LED technology is the same as that used in high-definition televisions and is designed to switch on instantly. The maker says that the fixtures use up to 80% less energy than incandescent lighting and give off very little heat.
Pixi is currently offering LED FlatLights online and at The Home Depot in an effort to introduce the idea of contemporary lighting to more homeowners. “We hope to introduce a contemporary perspective to home and commercial lighting designs and inspire homeowners, contractors, interior designers, and building managers to enhance their lighting environments in new and exciting ways that are both practical and efficient,” says vice president Richard Myers. Pixi Lighting |pixi-lighting.com
—Lauren Hunter is the senior products editor at REMODELING. Find her on Twitter at @LaurenHunter_HW or @RemodelingMag.
