Whether it’s an antique chandelier or a marvellous modern design, statement lighting comes in all shapes and sizes. According to Owen Pacey, founder of Renaissance London which specialises in Murano glass pieces, big is usually best. “We really get to know our clients and help bring their vision to life. Often, people will underestimate the space and its potential which is where our expertise comes in. With over 30 years of lighting experience, our clients trust us and we are on hand to advise on size, materials and the installation process.”
Pacey sources his lights from around the world and will stop at nothing to satisfy his client's needs. “One of our customers had seen a blue Murano ceiling light whilst travelling through Rome. We were unable to source this so we produced a replica mould of glass to create a bespoke piece.”
Making a statement
Pacey, whose clients include Jeremy Irons and Jamie Oliver, is seeing a trend across the capital for opulent lighting that packs a real punch with no expense spared. “We’ve had some extravagant requests over the years, people are investing more in their home, and really want to make it their own.”
Sian Baxter, who runs an award-winning lighting design consultancy, stresses that whilst statement pieces add interest and drama, they need to be supplemented with other lighting. “To create a beautiful lighting design many things need to be considered; light balance, light levels, and colour temperature. A room’s ambience can change dramatically depending on the positioning of each fitting.”
Golden globes
Sian uses various suppliers and even designs her own statement pieces. She says, “The cost varies hugely, from £5,000 to upwards of £50,000. The most impressive are those within a double height living space or within a multi-floor stairwell.”
Steve Noyes, Design Director at Noon Lighting which specialises in avant-garde pieces, couldn’t agree more. He recalls a particularly challenging commission. “The old Virgin Studios in Hammersmith was converted into townhouses. My client requested we installed 14 globes across the lightwell which was almost 11 metres high. We found a way of spanning the space and the results were incredible.”
Grand designs
Steve whose commissions have featured on the television show Grand Designs, sometimes teams up on projects with interior designer, Luke Williams. One of their recent collaborations included an apartment in Kensington. For the high ceilinged drawing room, they sourced a contemporary chandelier of multi-coloured glass. Luke says, “The client had a favourite painting that we took the colour cues from; the ’stalactites’ worked as complementary foils to that and other paintings in the client’s art collection. The piece is inspired by nature when trees become full of icy droplets and lends a touch of glamour to the room.”
Whether your taste is for traditional or a more contemporary style, a beautiful light can be a work of art as well as a focal point. See your vision come to life and make a truly spectacular statement.
