by Alison Johnston of Johnston Home Interior Design
The right table lamp can effortlessly transform a room’s ambiance. Whether it’s a softly glowing bedside lamp or a striking statement piece on a console table, a good table lamp can set the mood.
We know table lamps are necessary to complete a home lighting plan (wait.. you didn’t know this? See my HOT TIPS below for an explanation of light levels in the home), and today we’re going to talk about lamps as a sculptural element in a room. Of course they provide light, but with the addition of intriguing shapes in metal, glass, or stone they also can become a conversation pieces.
Metal Lamps:
Metal Lamps can add shine or color to a space. Let’s start with this classic beauty by Verner Panton for Louis Poulsen. (I have added links to these giants for the design nerds in the group!) The Panthella is an original design from the 1970’s that couldn’t be produced until LED technology came into play. What a fun pop of color for a corner table!
This petite lamp was all over Italy when we visited Lake Como last fall. The Poldina is rechargeable (no cords!) and makes the perfect outdoor table lamp. No more candles blowing out in the wind! It’s available from Lumens.
This brass desk lamp from Lulu and Georgia deserves a place all its own – what a shape! And yes, brass is here to stay. What we thought was a temporary fad has shown true staying power. Don’t be afraid to incorporate brass into your home.
And I will never turn down a dog lamp! This fun one from Anthropologie comes in several ‘breeds’.
Glass Lamps:
Glass is sheer and elegant and can be made into so many shapes. Here is an elegant blue one from famous design house Foscarini. It’s available through Perigold.
If the Foscarini is a bit out of your price range… how about this one from Ikea?
Here is a more traditional version of the ribbed glass lamp, the Cara.
We don’t always think of Pottery Barn for modern design, but look at this charmer! The Nausica has a ribbed glass shade.
And for a real piece of sculpture I love the Ontologia from Hennepinmade. It comes in an array of gorgeous sheer slumped glass. What a statement!
Stone Lamps: Marble lamps have always been a traditional element in the room. But now designers are approaching this material for its sculptural capabilities, not just for the stone itself. RH has hired some of the best lighting designers in the business. The Savoye is a dramatic addition to any living room.
The Jinny from Visual Comfort highlights the marble in a petite base and a dramatic shade. Can you see a pair of these on bedside tables?
And for a bit of a The Jetsons meets Rome vibe, this gorgeous green beauty from CB2 brings it!
Floor Lamps: Don’t forget about Floor Lamps! These are perfect for lighting a dark corner or when you don’t have a table for a lamp. Did you know Zara has a home section? Oh my word… that fantastic Spanish sense of style and great prices too! I love the small scale of this floor lamp.
Paper lamps are so effortlessly cool … just maybe not the best if you have a cat! Urban Outfitters gives us this hipster light.
A mid-century inspired light sends light into all the corners!
HOT TIP:
When we design we add in 3 levels of lighting: ambient, task, and accent.
Ambient lighting is anything that gives general light to a room. It can be recessed cans which send light straight down from the can. Or it can be a ceiling fixture or a pendant. They are usually the least interesting fixtures in a room. They do the job so you don’t trip when you walk into a room!
Task lighting is used for specific tasks. This could be bathroom lighting which needs to be bright to see eyebrow hairs, contact lenses or makeup. It can also be a reading light at a bedside, or a bright lamp for needlework.
Accent lighting is the most important for creating mood. It can be art lights, a decorative sconce, or my FAVORITE… table lamps. If you only have lights on the ceiling, you don’t have light softly glowing in the mid space and the room feels flat.
So go out and get some gorgeous lamps!
