Decorating & Design
9 Statement Light Fixtures To Elevate Your Space
Interiors director Meg Crossley shares stunning statement lighting ideas.
Great design never fails to stop me in my tracks. The other day, for example, while I was flipping through an old January 2014 issue, I paused on a shot of a sitting room designed by Stéphane Chamard. “Nailed it!” I said to myself, admiring the cubist, ceiling-mount pendant hovering over the space. Its early ’60s-late ’70s aesthetic and commanding scale? Just right for the room.
It got me thinking about the power of statement light fixtures. Like a great piece of art, a standout fixture can really draw the eye and set off a space — so you won’t regret investing in something truly stunning. I kept digging, and rounded up some particularly gorgeous styles from past issues of H&H. Hopefully they inspire those of you that are currently on the hunt for that perfect finishing touch.
The inspiration shot! This sculptural multi-shade fixture, likely inspired by the work of Gaetano Sciolari, looks right at home in this artsy living space.
If you’re looking for something like this, check out eBay or Etsy — or browse through some vintage shops and flea markets (I have a couple friends who got lucky this way).
This dining room’s vintage fixture steals the show with its slim arms and dense starburst shape. “I love artful lighting,” says designer Samantha Farjo, “It has a massive impact and sets the overall tone.”
For a similar look, check out these elegant pendants from Union Lighting & Furnishings and Visual Comfort.
Since my tastes skew slightly more trad, this light fixture is my favorite of the bunch. It’s the ideal scale for designer James Davie’s handsome mudroom.
You can find glass and metal lanterns in a range of finishes, from warm gilded iron to glossy polished nickel.
An antique Murano-glass light fixture definitely makes a statement in this principal bedroom. It has a really intricate, eye-catching design, but the transparent glass keeps the effect serene.
You can find Murano chandeliers at places like 1stdibs, but be warned: these stunners come at a cost!
While they look beautiful on their own, I think these delicately detailed, ball-shaped fixtures look even better in groups. Designer Connie Braemar sourced these ones in Cairo and suspended them over a dining table for a romantic feel.
Get the look by hanging a few of these nickel-finished pendants from Snob.
Serge Mouille’s three-armed ceiling lights — and fixtures inspired by them — always make a statement. They’re a natural choice for contemporary spaces, but also work in traditional rooms that could use something sleek and modern.
You can get the real thing from Design Within Reach, or go for a reproduction piece like this fixture from Toronto retailer Morba.
To throw even more light around a room, consider a contemporary fixture like this one in retailer Jill Kantelberg’s living space. These lights are an interpretation of sputnik-style chandeliers, just with a looser arrangement of spindles.
I’d go for one of these sculptural options from Casalife or Lowe’s for a similar effect.
Woven basket shades are a surefire way to add charm and warmth to a room. In this airy dining room, designer Montana Burnett wired an oversized pair herself.
Want to DIY it? Look for a large conical basket or wicker shade and use a standard lighting kit from a big-box store. If making a light fixture isn’t your thing, this premade pendant from Ikea is a breezy and affordable choice.
These scene-stealing lights are perfect for kitchens and dining rooms. Their long shape means they look great over islands and tables, while their delicate glass globes keep the look light and airy.
This design by Lindsey Adelman delivers that modern sculptural look.