Tag: pendant lights

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Design Designers Interviews

Unique designer lighting created on NSW North Coast

The 'Biarritz' wall sconce
The 'Biarritz' wall sconce

Raised on her family farm near Orange in New South Wales, Jillian Middleton always had a penchant for the handmade. “Everything in my childhood home was handmade. From the beautiful clothes the children wore, to the drapes, duvet covers, slices, cakes, savouries and gifts.” She drew on that experience when pursuing a successful interior design career, that took her from Sydney to New York, before returning to Australia. Twelve years ago Jillian moved to Byron Bay and established the designer lighting brand Gia Collectione, which is now known as Gypset Cargo.

Gypset Cargo
Gypset Cargo’s standard ‘Palm Springs’ chandelier is the hero of this space | Photography: @the.palm.co | Interior design: @coteinteriors

“I was working on interior design projects both in the city and around the coast and hinterland and felt a strong desire to develop lighting pieces that were artistic, three-dimensional and original – not something from a factory line like what I was seeing in my design catalogues,” says Jillian. 

With a solid background in design, she name checks many design luminaries as influences. From Flos to Charles and Ray Eames, Marcel Bruer, Mario Bellini, Archille Castiglioni, Willy Rizzo and Patricia Urquiola, disparate design inspirations inform Jillian’s unique aesthetic.

Gypset Cargo
Gypset Cargo’s gorgeous brass ‘Gingko Leaf’ wall sconce
The 'Barcelona' pendant
The ‘Barcelona’ pendant

The Gypset Cargo range spans wall sconces, chandeliers, pendants and floor lamps, made from materials such as brass, rattan and iron, making it a unique proposition in the Australian lighting scene. “There are many different chandeliers and sconces available in countries such as the USA and UK however they are tough to get in Australia and quite expensive to bring in. I was very inspired by designers from the USA including Celerie Kemble and Kelly Wearstler. These ladies reference a mixture of styles, from gothic to art deco and antique.”

The 'Biarritz' wall sconce
The ‘Biarritz’ wall sconce
The 'Fluted shell' wall sconce
The ‘Fluted shell’ wall sconce

The business’ new name is derived from the amalgamation of the words ‘gypsy’ and ‘jetsetter’ while cargo is a nod to the small NSW village of Cargo where Jillian grew up. “In the future, I have a vision to expand into artworks and other bespoke pieces, therefore the word cargo is appropriate for that too.”

Gypset Cargo designer Jillian Middleton

As for the brand’s latest collection, there’s a fair bit of on-trend rattan within it but Jillian explains it’s a material she has always loved. “I felt the rattan movement before it became so current. In my bedroom is a rattan and timber 1970s original dressing table I have owned for 15 years. I purchased it from a Central Coast op shop and loved the authenticity. The mirror has a curve to it which is so now.”

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Lighting tips from Ikea Australia’s head of interior design

By Tiffany Buckins One area within home furnishing that people often struggle with is lighting. Most people will only use general lighting to light their bedrooms and bathrooms, which can lead…


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RENO ADDICT Reno Products Shopping

Install new lights without an electrician thanks to new product

Professionals take about half an hour to install light fittings; now anyone can in five seconds thanks to a new Aussie product!

Melbourne’s Adam Cusick spent lockdown quietly revolutionising the lighting industry. He created Snap Lighting, a groundbreaking innovation that lets anyone change entire light fittings in just five seconds, safely, without tools. This is something that usually takes a licensed electrician about half an hour and could cost you hundreds of dollars. 

You’re probably wondering how on earth this is safe and legal, right? You first have to install a special recessed socket that comes with your first purchase. Once the socket is installed by an electrician or handyman (similar to installing a downlight), then you are ready to instantly click in your choice of light fitting any time you feel like a change.

Look around at your lights. Wouldn’t it be great to update them in seconds? The beauty of the design is that almost any pendant from any retailer can be converted to Snap Lighting. Using their ‘unlimited pendants’ service Snap Lighting can adapt most pendants to work with the system.

Swapping lights as fashion changes sounds amazing, but for some it’s about avoiding the stress of choosing and committing to permanent hard-wired lights – once they’re in, you’re stuck with them! But with Snap Lighting if you choose wrong simply pop it out and exchange for a different one.

In fact, that was the main reason Adam invented Snap Lighting in the first place: “After renovating, we didn’t like some of our new light fittings, so we had to get an electrician to change them, which was a huge hassle and more expensive than the fittings! I knew there had to be a better way,” he says.

The ingenuity of the design has now been professionally recognised with Snap Lighting being selected as a finalist in the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards. Winners will be announced this March.

With the increased popularity in pendant lights over downlights, we can’t help but agree Adam’s onto something!

For more and to buy online

4 kitchen lighting goals and how to achieve them

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so every design element needs to be thought out. Lighting is a key component of smart design; it affects the way you use…

Lighting with impact – planning the perfectly lit home

Lighting is an important piece of the interior design puzzle, mostly because lighting functionality and design plays a very big role in how you experience a space. The number one…
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Design Interviews Shopping

Latest klaylife chandeliers combine beads with macramé

klaylife chandelier

Teeming with deep, dark inky tones, the latest klaylife chandelier collection represents a moodier turn for the brand – just in time for winter. “We have introduced an ink tone that can be applied as a monotone colourway. It’s perfect for moody, deep toned spaces but it also anchors our spectacular ink, indigo and white ombré chandelier that can be styled to suit everything from beachy interiors to more sophisticated room scapes,” says klaylife’s Kerri Wallace.

klaylife chandelier

The gorgeous ombre beading technique has become something of a klaylife signature and it features heavily in the new range. “My personal favourite would have to be the new ombre dome. The ombre beading technique has become synonymous with klaylife and we couldn’t wait to apply it to our best-selling style. Thousands of small beads make up each individual piece and it is a true work of art,” says Kerri.

And while on the topic of art, the range also features a collaboration with Melbourne artist Elena Martorella of Three Queens Interiors that fuses beads with macramé to fabulous effect. “Elena’s signature macramé work has been interwoven with soft grey-toned clay beads and the result is a chandelier that’s romantic and delicate. It’s ideal for bedrooms or lofty spaces where you want a softer look,” says Kerri.

klaylife
Artist Elena Martorella’s gorgeous clay bead and macramé pendant

“I fell in love with Elena’s artistry and unique style of wall hangings and I thought they would look cool with our clay beads. I approached her and she jumped at the chance of weaving our hand rolled beads in her macramé. Every few months we release a collection of Elena’s one-off wall hangings and they sell out in half an hour so when she asked if she could ‘have a play’ with lighting, we couldn’t wait to see what she would conjure up.”

klaylife
That’s one of Elena’s stunning wall hangings on the right

And in great news for klaylife, demand for the brand’s wares shows no sign of abating with pieces often selling out before they leave Africa and arrive in Australia. “There is a definite demand for klaylife amongst the discerning, who appreciate the handmade nature and beauty of our pieces. Unlike the cheap wooden copies, no two klaylife pieces are identical. Sometimes, if you look closely, you might spot the finger print of the person who rolled the beads, making each one as unique as it is beautiful,” says Kerri.

klaylife

“We have a small warehouse in Australia where we keep some stock, but we are also shipping all over the globe. Global expansion is a focus for us this year and we are in talks now about how we can take klaylife to the world stage,” says Kerri who could perhaps use the services of Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey (aka McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy) who is a devotee of the brand and owns three klaylife chandeliers.

“He posted a pic of one of the chandeliers to his Instagram account that has 3.7 million followers. He told them about the story of klaylife so he’s been a wonderful non-paid brand ambassador! Next stop, Oprah!

klaylife
The ombre dome chandelier is Kerri’s favourite piece from the new range

Kerri adds: “Our focus will always be our lighting and how we can develop new pieces which are more impressive than the last, but we are also exploring new categories. We are about to release a range of hand felted cushions, also handmade in Africa. Whatever we do and whatever we become, Africa and its amazing people will always be at the core of our business.”

klaylife

Photography: Armelle Habib | Art direction & styling: Jacqui Moore

Shop online | Lighting tips from IKEA Australia’s head of interior design

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Art Homewares Shopping Smart Home

We’re loving: Ceramic pendant lights by Sarah Tracton

Sarah Tracton pendant lights
Sarah's pendant lights

Given each of her pieces takes four to six painstaking weeks to complete, Melbourne-based ceramic designer and illustrator Sarah Tracton must know a thing or two about perseverance. “I create porcelain works in small batches, which is the equivalent of clay slow cooking. My studio is rather like a science lab, in which no part of the process can be rushed. It is a rigorous journey of trial and error, and knowing the tenuousness of wet and dry in order to avoid cracks. Witnessing the collision between water, heat and atmosphere is often fraught – clay can be temperamental and patience is essential!” says Sarah.

Sarah Tracton ceramics
Sarah’s beautiful vessels feature a marbled finish

With no two pieces the same, each of Sarah’s ceramics involve two clay firings (once at 1000 degrees and again at 1280 degrees) and the pieces are sanded by hand in between for a smooth finish. “Marbled chromatic landscape panorama coloured surfaces akin to landscape topography are the result,” says Sarah who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the National Art School in East Sydney and has been featured in House and Garden and Vogue Living magazines.

Sarah Tracton in the studio
Sarah in her studio

“My works are like characters I get to know as they journey from pliable porcelain sheets of slip towards two firings. Their colours morph and transform as they undergo their reaction with new atmospheres, a journey of water and heat. This unveiling of colour is a metamorphosis that is fascinating to watch,” says Sarah.

Sarah’s oeuvre includes a variety of vessels and more recently a series of beautiful pendant lights. “I transitioned from constructing vessels to lighting as it is ultimately a piece of design that sets centre stage in a room, and it has longevity into the future. It’s a thrill knowing that something I created by hand is adaptable and functional for everyday life,” says Sarah.

Sarah Tracton pendant lights
Sarah’s pendant lights

Aimed at fusing fine art with functional design, Sarah’s lights are all one-off creations. “When something is created 100 per cent by hand, each piece is unique in a way that cannot be replicated in a homogenous mass-making process,” says Sarah who spends equal time on her drawing practice too.

One of Sarah's illustrations
An illustration by Sarah

“In the process of drawing I enter a meditative and hypnotic state in which I experience creative immersion in total silence. I work across charcoal and pen mediums, fusing abstraction with figurative,” says Sarah who is currently working on her first solo show, due to be staged in Melbourne soon.

Photography: Artificial Studios

Sarah Tracton’s Hearing it for Silence’ solo exhibition will be staged at St Heliers Street Gallery at the Abbotsford Convent, VIC from July 13- July 22 & August 13 – September 4, 2018.

For more | Our favourite Aussie handmade ceramics

 

 

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Furniture Homewares

Rattan is still trending in Aussie interiors, says Pinterest

I’m a big fan of trend data and especially when it comes to interior design. And with texture in vogue of late, I wasn’t surprised to hear that rattan is trending on Pinterest. In fact, we called it almost a year ago!

Made from the thin-jointed stems of a palm, and popular in both British and French colonial times and the 1970’s, rattan chairs, pendant lights and accessories complement a variety of interior schemes – most notably Hamptons, rustic and coastal homes. And when you consider that most of us live on the coast in Australia, rattan’s popularity down under makes plenty of sense.

Image source: Pinterest/Apartment Therapy

With searches for ‘rattan furniture’ up 540 per cent in Australia, compared to last year, Aussies can’t seem to get enough of its relaxed, earthy vibes. In addition, the search term ‘rattan pendant lights’ experienced a 400 per cent increase in ideas saved since last year and ‘rattan chair’ has experienced a surge in pinning too. And whether you’ve a modern home, or something more traditional – we’ve rounded up our favourite Pinterest picks for your viewing and inspirational pleasure.

The occasional chair
The rattan occasional chair is a time-honoured classic and the peacock inspired chair below has long been a favourite of mine. A guaranteed talking point, rattan chairs look fabulous both outside and indoors too.

Image source : Pinterest/Interiors Online

You can find something similar at The Family Love Tree.

Pendant lights
The bigger the better in my view and this massive rattan pendant light is a beauty – it makes me think of a faraway island in the Caribbean. Such is the potential of a great interior to inspire wanderlust!

Image source: Pinterest/The Rhapsody

Bisque Interiors has a fabulous range of rattan pendant lights.

The bedhead
A rattan bedhead can make a relatively cheap statement piece for the bedroom and they look great in children’s rooms too. I love the bohemian spirit of the space below and the bedhead is key.

Image source: Pinterest/Vintage Revivals

You can find something similar at The Family Love Tree.

The dining chair
The rattan dining chair was a feature of my childhood but I love the way the look has been reimagined below in what could have been a stark, white interior scheme. The rattan chairs really lift the space don’t you think?

Image source: Pinterest/inoutdesignblog

You can find something similar at Bombora Custom Furniture.

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Expert Tips Homewares Jen's reno RENO ADDICT

Why I’m using LED lighting in my new home

LED lighting used to be energy efficient but well, kinda ugly! The good news is that these days, by choosing LED, you can save energy and money, have your pick of beautiful light fittings and a nice, dimmable light which isn’t blue-tinged or harsh like a hospital! Winning!

I first learned what money-suckers those halogen downlights can be in our old apartment, where we had them in every room. OMG. When we swapped them for the newer style LED downlights, our power bills decreased dramatically. I’m someone who likes light and to have lights on if it’s anything less than full sunlight in the day, much to my husband’s annoyance!

When we moved into this house (with more rooms and therefore more lights!), we were faced with a lot of dated glass pendants (an old lady had lived here for 30 years before us) and, unlike many people, I didn’t want to immediately start again with downlights. I love pendants and they can be really nice design features, like jewellery for your room in a way. It was also a lot cheaper to replace pendants with pendants than have downlights put in. I still wanted good-looking LED light fittings though. These days, that’s not an issue.

I chose some gorgeous gold chandelier-style lights from Beacon Lighting (they’re now sold out in gold, but these are very similar) for our foyer, living room and play room. They’re so elegant and just the right mix of classic and modern.

They take nine globes each (27 in total!) so it was important they were energy efficient! We chose the heritage LED globes in warm white which are pricey at almost $30 each, but come with a three-year warranty (I’d suspect they’ll last a lot longer than that). It took a couple of attempts to get the right brightness after trying the first batch in our home and finding they were way too bright (these globes aren’t dimmable, but some similar ones are), but we are now delighted with them. Everyone comments on the lights as soon as they come in! The globes don’t look anything like what you’d imagine as energy efficient. And they really had to be as good-looking as the chandeliers or it wouldn’t work!

An LED heritage globe. Not ugly at all!

In our bedrooms, we went for something more neutral with less globes! These rattan shades from Josh & Jenna’s range for Beacon were my way of sneaking some rattan (which I love and my husband hates!) into the house.

I love the texture they provide, and they take two globes each, so it’s a nice diffused light. These come in three different diameters and two different colours. I went for this natural one, but there’s a darker tan too (there’s also matching floor and table lamps too if that’s your thing!).

I’m getting some professional shots of my reno progress so far very soon, so look forward to sharing some of the lights in situ with you all.

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode; a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. Super energy efficient and long lasting, LEDs use approximately 85% less energy than halogen or incandescent lighting, which means significant savings on your power bills. The estimated lifespan of LED lighting (depending on the globe) is 15,000 to 50,000 hours. That’s compared to 1,000 to 5,000 for halogen.

If you’re not sure where to start, need advice on how many lights you need and how bright for example, Beacon Lighting can give you personalised help via their online chat facility, by emailing them or by calling 03 8561 1599.

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Renting

Make your rental feel more homely with Amy’s top tips

With sky-high property prices the new norm, particularly in our major cities, home ownership is increasingly out of reach for many people. So, how does one make a rental feel like a home?

Command hooks
Made for renters, as you don’t have to ask your landlord permission to use them, Command make a range of no-hole, picture hanging hooks and Velcro strips that won’t leave unsightly holes in the wall nor peel paint when you move on. Available in a variety of sizes and with the ability to hold up to 3.6kg, these plastic hooks and strips are ideal for hanging pictures in a rental – a gallery wall being the obvious choice for nesting types. There’s nothing that makes a house feel like a home more than a wall displaying your favourite photographs, prints and wall hangings.

Create a sentimental gallery wall with removable Command hooks. Image: Hunting for George

Indoor plants
Currently a massive trend, indoor plants (coupled with gorgeous pots) really do wonders for any interior space. Plus, when you move you can always take them with you.

Indoor plants can transform a space. Image: Pop & Scott

Paint
Some landlords will allow you to repaint provided you paint the walls back to the original colour before you depart. Some are even happy for their tenants to make permanent changes though will usually want to sign off on the colours beforehand. A bit of an undertaking, you could simply pick out a few areas to paint instead for that personal touch – the front door is the obvious pick.

A simple customisation solution – this pink door adds instant personality. Image: Dulux

Lighting
It’s amazing the difference that lighting improvements can make. Swap out your outdated ceiling lights for a more stylish alternative – IKEA make a variety of affordable paper and drum shades. Alternatively, investing in a couple of statement table and floor lamps is always a good idea as you can take them with you when you leave. And for alfresco areas, LED string lights look rather magical.

Inexpensive pendant lights work wonders. Image: IKEA

Removable wallpaper & wall decals
While the market is flooded with a variety of wall decals and removable wallpaper, varying in quality, there are some brands doing great things. No longer simply available in shiny finishes, there are plenty of realistic-looking textured ones to choose from now. A great alternative to paint, removable wall decals and wallpaper allow you to customise your rental without leaving a trace of it when you move out.

Quercus & Co make gorgeous removable wallpaper tiles

Rugs
A large area rug is ideal for covering unsightly carpet or other undesirable floor coverings – ugly tiles and lino spring to mind. Plus, they’re great for demarcating zones within the home and you can transport them to your next home too.

West Elm Boho Textured Wool Rug, $699

Portable shelving
A fabulous alternative to a built-in bookcase, portable shelves (ladder ones are currently on trend) are the perfect spot for you to display your favourite tomes and trinkets – both of which will make your rental feel homelier.

Mocka Maya Ladder, $99.95

Knobs & hardware
Sometimes a simple change of door handle or knob can make a huge difference to the overall look of a space – especially on kitchen cupboard fronts or wardrobe doors. Just remember to take the old ones with you when you are purchasing replacements to ensure they are compatible. You can simply change them back when you leave.

A guilty pleasure of mine, the knob selection at Anthropologie is unsurpassed

Check out Darren Palmer’s interior tips for renters

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Expert Tips Furniture

How to pick the right lighting for your space

By Duncan Ward

Get it wrong and the whole look and feel of your space will fall short. Get it right and it can highlight the best of your space. What is this magical component that will be the make or break of your interior design? Lighting!

fractal

Lighting as a feature

When picking the right lighting for your space, the first thing you need to do is realise that standard down lights aren’t the only lighting choice. Use lighting at different heights and in different directions to create atmosphere and highlight design features in the space. If you have watched any design show on television or flicked through design magazines, you will see how important design feature lighting is in finishing a space. It will add not only a design focal point but the light set in the right position can reflect and highlight a space.

nordxl

Pendant lighting

Pendant lights are a great choice. These can be hung to create a light and shadow effect that brings ambience into the room. Lighting plays a dual role to interior design; the lights themselves are a feature and the light they shine brings a multitude of design aspects. They could bring a warming light to an otherwise cold and flat space or a romantic feel to a bedroom.

weaver

The psychology of lighting

Lighting is proven to have a psychological effect on the way we interact and connect with the world. Think of light therapy or the feeling of natural light compared to harsh, cold fluorescent lights. Lighting elicits a mood and physical reaction. Thought needs to be put into lighting choices, whether it is a new build or a renovation.

universe

Lighting in your home

When planning your home’s lighting, keep these tips in mind:

  • Identify the uses of and activities that take place in each room (reading, food prep, laundry, work, etc.).
  • Identify the mood or atmosphere that you want to create.
  • Identify any design features you wish to highlight such as artwork or wall textures.
  • Identify areas with dark wall colours and finishes. These areas absorb more light than those with lighter finishes, so additional lighting may be required.

klec

Ambient, task and accent lighting

There are three types of lighting design: ambient, task and accent lighting. Well-designed lighting will include all three. Ambient lighting is for creating the general feel of a space; task lighting is for concentrated areas of use (such as LED strips above the bench top in the kitchen); and accent lighting is used to highlight artwork or architectural features. Combining all three types of lights will give greater functionality and interest to the room.

nord

Light distribution

Thought needs to be put into how the light is distributed from a light feature. Does it disperse enough light or too much light? What if the colour temperature of the bulbs it too warm or too cool for a space? Make sure you take the time to give thought to your lighting choices.

— Duncan Ward is the CEO of Satelight Design, an award-winning design studio, specialising in contemporary, interior and commercial lighting. 

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Homewares

Beacon Lighting app takes the guesswork out of buying lights

Buying anything for the home can be a challenge. Will it be too big for the space or too small? Will it match with the rest of the room or will it clash? With all those questions running through your mind, suddenly something that was supposed to be fun can become a huge chore!

Screen Shot 2014-08-13 at 3.24.46 pm

Yet with the help of Beacon Lighting’s new Live Brighter App, this confusion can be a thing of the past. Now you can see how the lights you love will look in your home before you even buy them; with the free app allowing you to browse the entire Beacon Lighting product range and see how a design or colour will look in your home by uploading a picture.

Screen Shot 2014-08-13 at 3.25.02 pm

Download the app at the App Store or on Google Play, then follow these five easy steps:

  1. Press the product finder and select the product you want to try out (the picture is not a true representation of the actual product size, so make sure you check out the product specs before you buy)
  2. Select ‘Go Live’ and take a picture of your room or select an image from your gallery
  3. Go to the camera view and see your chosen product
  4. Re-size and position the product in your space
  5. Use the export function to share with friends and family.

For more information.

Categories
Homewares

Bowen & Kenneth: mason jar lights and DIY terrariums

I’m a sucker for anything quirky or vintage inspired, so I am very much in love with new online homewares boutique Bowen & Kenneth.

Mail Attachment

Featuring lights, birdcages and terrariums, partners Sam Pridmore and John McMahon were inspired to start the business after Sam underwent brain surgery late last year. “We both had an epiphany after getting such a shocking reality check,” he explains. “We realised that life is far too short to be doing something you don’t love and I was most definitely sick of being just another number in a huge retail store. So we started creating.”

The collection began with a single birdcage with an LED tree inside it, an idea Sam had while in hospital. After getting great compliments on their one at home, they started creating them for everyone and the range has naturally sprung from there.

bowen keenth

A favourite of mine and a best seller of theirs, are the terrariums. A fun and unique take on the resurging terrarium, they come in DIY packs, but when finished look as professional as anything store bought. While the DIY edge wasn’t the initial idea, Sam and John both agree it turned out better than expected.

bowen kenneth

“A friend wanted me to send her one (terrarium), so I went off to the local post office eager and excited,” says Sam. “When I arrived and explained to the man that I wanted to send the fragile vase but it could not be tipped upside down or on its side, he just laughed at me! He said I was crazy.

“I was devastated. My amazing terrariums were wonderful, but if I couldn’t send them in the post I couldn’t sell them on our website! So after brainstorming ideas including fake plants, glue and resin, we finally came to the conclusion that we should make the terrariums into DIY packs and send everything in its own little package. We figured if we enjoyed making the terrariums ourselves, our customers would too!”

With simple how-to-guides on their website, even those without the DIY gene (myself included) can manage.

Shop online.