LET THERE BE LIGHT
Today’s lighting options are so much more than just utilitarian fixtures; they can be grand statement-making pieces that become the focal points of the spaces they occupy. And the word “contemporary,” in describing them, is much more than trend-specific; it encompasses what is “in” today but also what will be “hot” in the coming months and even years.
“There are lots of stylistic choices today, and mid-century modern has been a goto look for some time now,” said Darren Naimer, vice-president of Union Lighting and Décor. “It was always easy to find a lot of furniture and decor in that style, but there are so many more lighting options now.
“One of the things that you might notice is that there is a very prevalent colour right now: it’s soft gold as well as pretty pastels — inviting colours that warm up any room or corner.”
Samuel Lambert, the founder of Lambert & Fils, said he, too, sees a more colourful lightscape. “It’s not only primary colours but rich colours, dark colours and the pastels,” he said. “I just came back from a show in Sweden and right now pink is very trendy.”
Retro industrial fixtures are dominating modern lighting looks, too.
“It isn’t as rustic and unfinished as it once was,” Naimer said. “There’s beautiful attention to detail that hasn’t been seen before, like socket covers and brilliant polished finishes.”
Lambert has also seen an upswing in lighting that boasts black and brass embellishments — a dignified, refined look.
Art-deco fixtures are stylistically sound as well, with an emphasis on clean lines. “The focus, however, is quite different. Art-deco pieces would typically focus on sharp geometric designs quite often found in just the
... I just came back from a show in Sweden and right now pink is very trendy. SAMUEL LAMBERT
casting, but today you’ll find pieces with the same design in the glass as well,” Naimer said.
Finally, oversized pieces, vintage Edison-style bulbs, as well as LEDs, are rounding out the choices in contemporary lights.
“Large-scale pieces are, thankfully, in fashion. Some are ornate, but some are simple in shape, and they can really define a space and make a statement,” Naimer said.
“Edison bulbs are warm and nostalgic, and are fantastic by themselves, not to mention they complement period-looking fixtures. All of these are available in energy-efficient and long-energy LEDs, which have gone down a lot in price.”
While trends can help to direct us toward looks, colours and finishes that are au courant, Lambert and his team are constantly on the hunt for what is next.
“Sometimes, depending on the project, we have to serve the market and the market is the trend,” he said, “but in general, we don’t really like the trends because we’re always working ahead at the next two years to see what’s going to be next.
“We’re not trying to be pretentious; it’s our job to take all of the images in our heads and things we see on social media, and offer something different.”
Lambert’s solution for those who aren’t sure what look they favour? Mix it up, he said.
“In my home, it’s a patchwork of a lot of things — from antique to modernist,” he explained. “You buy the things you like.”