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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - The latest look in decorative lighting has hit the wall. Sconces, light fixtures attached to the wall halfway between the floor and ceiling, get thumbs-up approval for adding sophistication to a space.
“The most significant current trend in sconces is the extraordinary variety of styles that have appeared in the marketplace,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, AIA, IES, CSI, architect, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association and professor of interior design at the University of Kentucky. “It seems as if every conceivable material, finish and style is available. This is a trend in the lighting industry in general, but sconces have significantly proliferated as a category in the last three to four years.”
“Trends are all over the board,” agrees Dave McKee, chief operating officer of West Coast retailer Seattle Lighting, with 15 showrooms in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. “Everything from petite colored sconces to ornate, oversized ones; from traditional design to contemporary.”
While traditional brass sconces continue to rate raves, there has been an increase in painted metal, and nickel or pewter finishes. Hand-forged steel offers rustic appeal. Post-modern styles emphasize simple sconces with modernist lines and shapes but with some variety in the details and the ornament.
Sconces range in size and shape to fit any wall. While the average indoor sconce is about 12 inches tall, some are as long as 30 inches and quite slender.
“People are increasingly looking for sconces with a clean, architectural look,” says Brandon Levin, a vice president at Justice Design Group in Los Angeles. “Brushed nickel and dark bronze are popular finishes which work in a wide variety of applications.”
Most exciting is the availability of shades made of glass, fabric and other materials. Rey-Barreau says, “Traditional sconces with exposed lamps designed to simulate the appearance of a candle tend to be glaring, since the filament of the light bulb is exposed. “Shades help soften the look.”
Sconces add tremendous comfort to a space because they bring attention to the perimeter of a room. Added to soaring spaces, they offer a method of creating a more human scale. When controlled by a dimmer, they are extremely valuable in places such as family rooms, media rooms and living rooms as a means of controlling the mood of the space.
“We see sconces as wall art,” says George Chandler, chief executive officer and designer of Vermont-based lighting manufacturer Hubbardton Forge. “It’s the sconce itself, as well as how the light and shadows play on the wall. We try to design a certain amount of sculpture into each piece we do.”
From their perch on the wall, sconces create a play of light and shadow that changes as the evening darkens. Add a dimmer to control the light quality of a sconce, and a room can be modified to create unique and varying moods.
Technically, a sconce is a term used to define wall-mounted fixtures that are installed on the inside of a home. The use of wall-mounted fixtures on the exterior of a home is a common detail, but these fixtures are more commonly called outdoor fixtures or wall lanterns. They serve the same purpose as interior sconces, but are designed to withstand exposure to varied weather conditions.
For more information or to find a lighting showroom near you, call the American Lighting Association toll free at (800) BRIGHT IDEAS or go to www.americanlightingassoc.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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