A quiet revolution has been going on in the world of lighting with the rise in popularity of industrial style light fittings.
Until recently, if you asked most people about ‘industrial style’ they would probably have imagined dirty factories full of noisy, heavy machinery. This impression is not as far removed from the truth as you may think because it lies at the heart of what industrial interior design is all about. Large 19th and early 20th century industrial factories made no attempt to conceal their infra-structure and metal beams, pipes and exposed brick walls were all on show. Lighting would usually have consisted of large robust metal pendants, often with protective cages, that were hung on heavy metal chains from overhead beams.
Interior designers began to utilise this salvaged, utilitarian look when they were converting lofts, barns and warehouses into trendy dwellings. This versatile style was quickly picked up by coffee shops, bars, restaurants and pubs looking for a bold urban chic theme. Gradually the style has evolved and is now very much mainstream.
The Dili pendants epitomise what industrial lighting is all about. These simple bare bulb hanging pendant suspensions pay homage to the old fashioned warmth provided by Edison filament bulbs. The pendants are manufactured in Ireland and are available in a choice of metal finishes.
Factory and warehouse style light fittings have a simple vintage appeal that proudly shows off raw materials and exposed bulbs that in the past we have done our best to conceal. Today’s industrial look has a simple sophistication – a no-frills look with rugged charm. The industrial colour palette has evolved too. Neutral colours and simple basic metals are still popular but we now have a whole host of bright painted metal pendants that give a contemporary vibrant twist to the basic concept of utilitarian lighting. A functional approach to lighting using contrasting textures and tones that can be combined with exposed vintage bulbs creating a rustic nostalgic charm.
There is certainly no denying the industrial influence that inspired this ‘Old Industrial’ table lamp from our Manhattan American Collection. A dramatic lamp that will bring a sense of history and character to the right setting. It is set off beautifully by the rectangular black linen shade that echoes the shape of the plinth base.
Urban elegance sums up this more modern collection of wire cage ceiling pendants that are perfect for today’s contemporary open plan living spaces. They have a rough grey concrete finish and look great over smaller dining tables or in a row or cluster over larger kitchen islands and tables.
A double cage wall light hand crafted in Ireland using solid brass and shown here in the antique finish. The unique bronze caged shades are adjustable at the bottom allowing you to change the shape of the shades and also giving easy access to change the bulbs.
Home Lighting with Industrial Style Light Fittings
Whilst coffee shops and bars can immerse themselves totally in industrial themed spaces, it would clearly be too much to kit out the average home entirely in this style. One or two signature light fittings can easily introduce an industrial look. A simple metal ceiling pendant with an exposed wire cage or a hanging ceiling light in an antique metal finish with a ribbed glass shade could easily be hung over a small kitchen or dining table. This simple look works beautifully in most interiors and can be achieved without spending a fortune.
A trio of single pendants lights all with an industrial theme. This clearly demonstrates the wide range of different looks that you can achieve with this verstile style of lighting.
The Nova pendant in the upper right has a copper fitting with a dome shaped ribbed halophane glass shade which will give a soft diffused light with little or no glare. Manufactured in Ireland.
The metal pendant to the left is the latest addition to our UK made Utility range. It is painted black on the outside with a white inner to reflect the light down onto tables and work surfaces. The chrome cage fitted to the bottom further enhances the industrial look. Bespoke Lights can supply this pendant painted in any colour of your choice.
The Tommy bare bulb pendant in the upper left is from our Edison Lighting Collection. It will provide an atmospheric ambeint lighting effect that is perfect for hospitality lighting as well as lighting in the home enviroment. The Tommy range also includes a comprehensive selection of other matching ceiling lights and wall lights. Simply charming, functional lighting made in the UK using quality materials.
If there is one place in the home where the industrial style comes into its own it is surely in the kitchen. Kitchens, like factories and warehouses, are working areas with ovens, hobs and appliances on show which makes them the ideal place to adopt this style – so embrace it and go with the flow! Lighting is definitely key to getting this look right and whatever your budget Bespoke Lights can help bring your kitchen to life. Industrial style lights offer a versatile approach with lots of opportunity to inject some of your own personality. There are a whole host of fittings to choose from and lots of ways of achieving a look that is right for you.
In many homes the kitchen is the heart or hub of the house and if you are lucky enough to have a large kitchen with both food preparation areas and space for eating and socialising you can create a nice flow between these areas with clever use of lighting.
The iconic Station Lamp ceiling pendant from our Artisan Lighting Collection shown here in a smoke blue finish with an opal glass shade. These pendants are make in the UK and take their inspiration from our Victorian and Edwardian train stations where pendants like this would have been hung on station platforms and in waiting rooms. They are available in a range of colours and can be painted to order in a colour of your choice should you wish.
The Urban Renewal ceiling pendant and wall light shown here have an updated industrial look that is equally at home in modern and traditional interiors.
The 2 images to the left feature a few more pendants from our Urban Reneal range shown in kitchen settings. These lights have all been influenced by industrial styling. They are designed and manufactured in the USA.
Our final image shows a cluster of small cage pendant lights again from our Urban Renewal range. Some of the pendants have been hooked up using simple ceiling hooks to create this attractive random effect.
The industrial style is all about exposing things that in the past we have chosen to hide away. So get creative and find your own unique take on this style, with a little help from Bespoke Lights of course!