'Top tips for mood lighting' by ISM Objects

Lighting in your home is so important but sometimes it can be forgotten about... that's why we were super excited to be able to chat the to founders of ISM Objects, Simon Christopher and Celina Clarke about how to create mood lighting to enhance your spaces. Their tips are insightful and so easy to achieve in your own home, because creating ambience is always a good idea!

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TIP 1. Use more than one light source

This is one of the most important ways to create ambience. Having only one light source can result in a stark, washed-out space, whereas incorporating different light sources, such as overhead, task, floor and table lamps, can create zones of softer or stronger light where needed.

ISM Objects - Clinker Pendant Collection

TIP 2. Use dimmers for overhead lighting

Dimming switches allow you to adjust the level of light to suit the time of the day and function of the room. With dimmers you can have strong task lighting or gentle atmospheric lighting in the evening. You may also need to use the dimmers during the day depending on how much natural light a room receives.

ISM Objects - Pegasus Table, Floor and Pendant

TIP 3. Use warm-coloured light globes

LED lighting and new energy-efficient bulbs provide different warmths of light. A 2700K to 3000K bulb (K, for Kelvins, measures the colour of the light source) emits a warm yellow light, like an early sunrise or late sunset. This warm light is cosy, calm and intimate and a good choice for spaces used in the evening as it helps to relax and unwind.

ISM Objects - Stippled Porcelain Pendant

TIP 4. Use table and floor lamps for indirect lighting

If a space doesn’t need overhead lighting, use table and floor lamps to create an intimate or casual atmosphere and environment. They can highlight areas of the room and tall floor lamps can be used to bounce light of the ceiling, effectively doing the job of overhead lighting.

ISM Objects - Wink Table Lamp Collection

TIP 5. Focus on points of interest

Table and floor lamps and accent lighting, such as wall sconces, can be used to focus on points of interest, such as accentuating architectural and decorative features, drawing attention to furniture pieces or illuminating artworks and sculptures. This creates visual focal and the contrasts between light and dark spaces adds ambience.

ISM Objects - Luxe Wall Lamp and Pendant Light

Pendants that are out of this world!

ISM Objects Teamwork pendant | Photography - Mike Baker | Stylist - Heather Nette King

Pendants, Pendants, Pendants... I've rounded up the hottest new pendants that are 'out of this world' amazing! 

Adding a 'WOW' pendant to your space makes a bold statement, helps to create zones within a large room, aid in ambience and mood lighting and are the perfect finishing touch to your home or workplace... so be creative and go bold with your next pendant purchase! 

ISM Objects Teamwork pendant | Photography - Mike Baker | Stylist - Heather Nette King

Lights Lights Lights | 3 Tubes Pendant

Surrounding | Gubi Multi Lite Steel Pendant

Lights Lights Lights | Leaf Chandelier

ISM Objects | Nudie Pendants

Surrounding | Hans J Wegner, Pendant

Surrounding | Nordic Tales | Bright Moon Black

Lights Lights Lights | Alchimia

ISM Objects | Iro Pendant | Photography - Mike Baker | Stylist - Heather Nette King

The 10 most popular styles of pendant lights and why we love them...

Pendant lights have always been popular, but they’re receiving unprecedented attention at the moment thanks to renovation and home decor TV shows, online inspiration sharing sites like Pinterest and Instagram and the increasing affordability of different lighting options. Instead of just sticking with whichever lights are built into their home, people are starting to change their lights according to the season and the trends, treating them like throw cushions and other styling details.

Here are ten trending pendant styles to consider next time you’re changing your light fittings:

Cage

Cage pendant lights are everywhere right now, and for good reason! Cages work with all different styles of decor and homes of all different periods. Cage pendants consist of an exposed light bulb with a geometric frame around it, which can be made from all sorts of materials but are usually metal. Metal cages have an inherently industrial feel, reminiscent of the cages around spotlights on building sites. To take the edge off, use a vintage filament bulb that produces a warm ambient light.

Via Three Birds Renovations

Metallic

Metallic finishes throughout the home make a great alternative to bright pops of colour, offering contrast to the soft neutrals we tend to use as a base. Metal offers this contrast through the use of texture rather than colour, which is perfect if you’re not ready to commit to anything too bright. Metal finishes respect the neutral colour palette while offering contrast and creating a sense of dimension.  Win-win! The most popular types of metal for pendant lights are brass, copper, steel, bronze, and chrome.

Via Behance

Crystal and Glass

Whether you’re interested in glass or crystal, this type of fitting really makes the most of the light from your bulb. The possibilities are endless here: clear glass panels, frosted glass, glass or crystal beads, and coloured glass are some of the most popular options. Reflecting and directing the light creates sparkle and adds some glitter to your room. Whether you’re planning a chandelier, a lantern or a simple glass light shade, glass or crystal light fittings are perfect if you’re looking for ambient light and something to draw the eye.

Via Beacon

Industrial

Industrial pendant lights are perfect for adding a contemporary edge to period homes and for creating sleek lines in contemporary spaces. Industrial lighting is typically metal and they can have either an ultra-modern feel or a vintage feel depending on what you’re after. If your fitting is metal it is a great in contrast to harsh materials such as brick and concrete.

Via Justine Hughes Jones

Moroccan

If you’re after a bohemian look for your interiors, Moroccan light fittings are for you. Usually, this means lanterns, although other styles and shapes are also seen. Whatever the shape, Moroccan fittings are usually made of metal with patterns and holes punched into the surface. These may be small holes working together to create pattern, or large cutouts. Not only does this look beautiful as a feature during the day, but it also creates intriguing patterns of light and shadow around the room at night.

Via Pinterest

Art deco

Although it is nearly 100 years old, the art deco style is making a very popular return.  The architectural shapes and clean lines of art deco pendant lights make for a timeless and versatile feature in any modern interior.  It is the definition of luxury and elegance, combining rich colours, bold geometry and decorative detail to enhance modern spaces with ease.  The most important principle in art deco lighting is shape: think zigzag lines, jumbled forms and geometric designs. Just be sure to keep it simple and clean.  Materials such as chrome and brass, along with anything shiny like opal glass and mirror, are also a key part of art deco lighting glam!

Via Pinterest

Timber and Rattan

Timber pendant lights may be made from ply, bamboo and other types of wood. Timber brings softness to a room, contrasting beautifully with harsh materials like concrete or brick. Timber lights may be any different shape, either directing light or creating a cage for ambient light. Wood is very easy to customise through painting or staining. Rattan is a very fine timber that is light and brings natural pattern and texture to a space: think wicker furniture or woven baskets. People love huge feature pieces made of rattan that show off their detail during the day while casting interesting shadows and patterns of light at night. 

Via My Domaine

Concrete

When you think soft, organic material, concrete is often the last thing that comes to mind. In truth, concrete is porous and textured, bringing something truly special to a room. Pendant lights are a great way of incorporating concrete into your space without committing to something big like polished concrete floors or benchtops. The movement of a pendant is perfect for balancing out the strength and industrial feel of the concrete.

Via Lighting Lighting Lighting

Vintage

‘Vintage’ is such a broad category, which means there’s truly something for everyone! You might be interested in a retro fitting from the 60s or 70s, an art deco piece from the 1920s, or a Victorian pendant light for a truly classic feel. There are seemingly endless choices of period, place and style, and you have the choice between buying new fittings in a vintage style or hunting for authentic antiques for something special.

Via Jenny Kayne

Colourful

Pendants are popular as the feature piece of a room, adding depth and texture as well as providing light. One way to really make a statement is to use your pendant as an opportunity to add a pop of colour to your space.. Focus on finding something bright and eye-catching, or find a pendant in the perfect style and have it spray-painted your dream colour.

Via Inside Out

With all these incredible styles trending, the hardest part is choosing between them!