Lighting as Art

Once Christmas is over and the decorations and lights have been packed away for another year, the house can seem very empty and, as we head into the depths of winter, a little cold.

Whilst we are unlikely to want to start a major makeover just after Christmas, there are things we can do to breathe life back into our homes at the darkest time of year.

This is where lighting can play an exciting role to enliven the atmosphere.

Ideally, except in kitchens or utility rooms, overhead lighting should be kept to a minimum. It can have a “flattening” effect and generally gives more light than is needed. For lighting to be interesting, it must be combined with shadow so that shapes and textures can be modelled. Light from table height or even from the ground is more flattering. Glare should also be avoided where possible.

Today there are plenty of options available for achieving interesting lighting effects. Whilst there are numerous possibilities with traditional table lights or reading lights, there are equally some very exciting products that make light more than just something functional - rather it becomes art in its own right.

The Italians lead the way with this type of lighting. Companies such as Davide Groppi, Lumina or Catellani & Smith all make light fittings that attempt to redefine the meaning of light within the interior.

Such objects are of course unashamedly modern but then the Italians have never had a problem combining the old and the new in a seamless fusion where both complement each other.

Consider the striking Atman luminaire by Catellani & Smith of Italy. This is light as art and creates a myriad of shapes depending on how it is angled or the surface it is lighting. The asymmetric lens creates patterns on walls or ceilings, balancing light with shadow that draws the eye in whilst imbuing a sense of mystery in the interior.

For something calmer, Eve from Lumina (designed by Foster & Partners) is a modern take on the traditional table light. Not hugely bright, but with sufficient light to create atmosphere whilst emphasising texture and shapes within its space.

Then there is FM by Davide Groppi which is a playful take on a radio antenna but with a tiny LED lamp half way along the vertical aerial. Suitable for reading or highlighting a piece of art or sculpture, this is lighting at its most minimal. Shown here in a modern context, this luminaire would look just as good in a classical setting where it would not detract from its surroundings.

For a more dramatic effect, floor lights can make a big impact on a room. The Lederem floor light by Catellani & Smith throws light towards a wall and is then silhouetted against the reflected light creating visual interest in what becomes a piece of lighting sculpture.

None of these lights require specialist installation. Simply plug them in and switch on. All have dimming options as standard, enabling you to have complete control of the light level within the room. And whilst all are decidedly modern in their design, they will work in any interior setting and, being portable, can be moved from location to location depending on the time of year or lighting requirements.

They also give you the opportunity to experiment with light in a playful way - to enhance objects, pictures or spaces that would be flattened by too much direct overhead light. During the long winter months rooms can be enlivened by a careful mixture of light and shadow creating a sense of mystery and discovery which is lost when there is too much light.

So do not be afraid to experiment — you may see your home in a whole new light!