Step Out of the Shade

We hit two of the greatest interiors shows in two months, Maison et Objet in Paris and the Northern Light Fair in Stockholm, checking out some of the key trends for 2019 and beyond. One of the biggest take-aways we’ve seen at both fairs is the re-emergence of colours, prints and texture in lighting. Whether it’s the light effect that reflects off a wall or over a surface adding texture and depth to an interior or a splash of colour on the light or shade itself; colour and texture are no longer reserved solely for a feature wall or throw cushion, they are making their way onto lights themselves, into beautifully crafted glass and becoming increasingly adventurous in shades.

Light and shade are what we, as designers, use to create atmosphere in any space whether it’s a welcoming and cosy living space, a comfortably cool restaurant or an office designed to get work done, light is a key tool in helping us work, rest and play. The exciting part of future design is that all areas of lighting design are embracing the playfulness of light and not just it’s usefulness bringing with it a new wave of creativeness and desire for something new yet familiar.

Material & Texture

Materials and their various textures interact in different ways with light. Reflective surfaces can bounce light and create light and shade effects like no other, while fabrics and soft materials diffuse light, letting it escape in subtle flashes of colour and tone. Add to this the use of glass shades and diffusers there is an endless array of possibilities too consider.

Style & Shape

The shape and style of a shade can elevate it to another level, turning what seems like an ordinary pendant or lamp it the most extraordinary design centre piece, complementing an interior and adding to it’s unmistakable value. There is an evident trend towards shades with a more traditional styling with fringing and exotic prints popping up all around to add a depth of decadence to an interior, while not overpowering the space. These subtle touches are lifting interiors and adding a depth of interest to a space.

Glass

While the array of textures, prints and colour in shades is pushing lighting and interiors forward we can’t talk about the texture trend in light without glass. It is at the centre of so many lighting designs from chandeliers to simple wall lights. Textured glass does remarkable things to light in a unique way. Breaking it up in streams of different shades, intensities and colours. Shades are a growing trend but glass is not going away, but instead the variety of styles and ambition of lighting designers is pushing it’s use further to create incredible effects and spaces.

It’s an exciting time for lighting given the range of materials, textures, colours and prints available right now, all of them geared towards creating a light effect that is perfect for the space they inhabit. The bulb in recent years has evolved to embrace LED technology and given lighting designers the ability to create some incredible designs. Now materials are coming back to centre stage. Adding an essential depth to interiors. Bringing unique atmosphere and mood to a space. Bringing back an individuality and personality. A sense of style that we can call our own.