The ambience of your home is greatly dependent on your choice of lighting — but when the lights are out they need to look good, too! Here’s our selection of must-have light sources, from pendant to task and the energy-efficient breakthroughs
From the ceiling
1. The Link adjustable ceiling light from Inlite comes in a variety of globe options (LED, halogen, metal halide and compact fluorescent) and can be configured to form a series of fittings or can stand alone. inlite.com.au
2. The Beryll quad spotlight designed by Richard Clack is 60cm in length and houses four halogen light bulbs that can be directed as you wish. The simple steel frame with black lacquer appeals to many looks. Available from IKEA. ikea.com.au
3. Hotbeam, a pioneer in LED lighting, has released an energy-efficient modular lighting product — the LED MiniStar. It has very low power consumption of 3.5 watts per unit and a pleasant warm white light output. The LED MiniStar comes as a pack of three light modules pre-wired with a plug-and-play transformer, making it a simple product to use either as a DIY lighting system or as a product to specify and install. Use the LED MiniStar in shelving, kitchen lighting, cupboards and display cases. hotbeam.com
4. The Oleaf fitting from JSB Lighting is unmistakably inspired by plant life — with a futuristic twist. jsblighting.com.au
5. The supremacy of this light source, On Line, lies in its slender, unobtrusive form and nearly limitless flexibility. An innovative magnet and contact system allows a wide variety of LED fixtures to be inserted or moved along the tracks. LEDs come in “dots”, “strips” and “knicks”. kezu.com.au
Pendants-a-plenty
6. The Electric Mavis luminaire is available as a single or triple pendant (pictured) with a maximum length of 2000mm. It’s made from recycled fine porcelain and bone china tea cups and saucers and has one low-voltage halogen bulb. Electric Mavis is available from Bonasera. bonasera.com.au
7. The Exhausted LED single drops come in either small (250mm) or large (1000mm) pipe lengths and a number of striking finishes. Opt for satin white to complement a streamlined contemporary space or bring in a bit of character with antique-bronze or copper-plated finishes. deanphillips.com
8. The whimsical nature of Volker Haug’s Daisy pendant is perfect for puncturing a serious atmosphere. A spark of colour and conversation can be injected with the simple insertion of this piece. volkerhaug.com
9. David Trubridge is known globally for his stunningly natural flat-packed lighting designs. A twist on that has been added with a coloured interior (shown in Flamingo). davidtrubridge.com
10. This bulbous rattan pendant from Freedom is ideal for a relaxed atmosphere. Use it alone as a feature or combine three evenly spaced along a corridor or dining table for drama. freedom.com.au
11. The Kah-du pendant from Ilanel, a Melbourne-based designer, is a lampshade based on a mathematical pattern. The result is a high-impact piece reminiscent of the 1960s Op Art movement. ilanel.com
12. The Troag light, designed by Luca Nichetto, evolved from his explorations of Sweden and the discovery of a vessel traditionally used in jam making. The streamlined form is available in shades Nero, Naturale and Marrone. spacefurniture.com.au
13. The humble wooden clothes peg is a familiar object for all of us yet its interesting form and genius construction often go unnoticed. Utilising the basic structure of an oversized old-fashioned lampshade, Peggy-Sue is elegant and classic. volkerhaug.com
On the floor
14. The Drink floor lamps are available in a range of subdued colours and two practical sizes. A whole Drink family is available, from wall light to various-sized pendants. mondoluce.com
15. The Camp floor light is a cheeky title seemingly named after the lamp’s flexible “wrist”, which allows you to focus the light in any direction. The light is made from polypropylene and available in black or white and designer Jakob Timpe has done an extraordinary job at creating a talking piece. inlite.com.au
16. The Hive Halo Tripod lamp is constructed from translucent nylon strings woven on a light frame of wire. Designed by Kenneth Cobonpue, the lamp gives a heavenly glow when switched on. hermonhermon.com.au
Table talk
17. The Studioilse W084 is designed by Ilse Crawford for Wästberg. A combination of industrial and refined aesthetics, this lamp is highly adjustable to suit your every task. Available from Cult. cultdesigned.com.au
18. The Nightingale lamp base from Laura Ashley is a sweet addition to any side table. Pictured here, the white drum shade with golden interior offers a sense of sophistication. laura-ashley.com.au
19. This multi-purpose light, first designed in 1919, has been revived from near extinction. In 2011, production will begin again and an edition of 50 lamps will be released. triplexlamp.se
20. The bookmark lamp is designed by French architect/designer Leonard Kadid. By using your own book to complete its functionality, the lamp expresses a piece of you. Made from plywood (oak, maple or walnut), the light uses LED tape to illuminate your surface. http://leonard-kadid.tumblr.com
Originally from Home Renovation Ideas magazine, Volume 1
