Taking a shine to millennials who'd rather express their individuality than follow traditional design edicts, manufacturers are making lighting that feels creative, innovative and playful.
It's a sign of the times, especially when it comes to lighted signage for interior ambience. Design Legacy began making the reproduction lighted signs to coordinate with its nostalgic product mix. About 60 designs — including the popular Route 66 — account for much of the company's growth over the past six or seven years, said Kelly O'Neal, president and lead designer. The company also produces lighted letters so you can create your own message or monogram.
"I think that our customer has always liked that which makes them smile, or has a humorous approach to nostalgia," she said.
Another bright idea: Cisco Brothers' large neon signs for interior use that evoke old movie marquees. They seem to elevate a room's appearance to that of a David Hockney painting — eerily fascinating. And Kalalou has several light-up signs, including one in raw metal shaped into a cup of hot coffee. Perfect for a kitchen.
Need company? Harp & Finial's Joburg table lamps come in right- and left-facing male and female profiles. They are done in a silver resin finish on a crystal base.
For a futuristic edge, there is Luna Bella and Zuo Modern. Both companies have space age/industrial fixtures. Zuo Modern was showing sputnik-like pendants that changed color, while Luna Bella's crown of light chandeliers were turning heads. Eos feather pendants by Vita Lighting have been around since 2011, but continue to maintain consumer interest. The company introduced a new color, light brown, at the winter furniture market. The sphere is covered in feathers and lit from within, and comes in two sizes, the original 18-inch and the extra large 29½ inches.
Jamie Young's glass CiCi pendant also comes in two sizes and a variety of colors, as well as clear. It's a good transitional piece nearly anywhere you want to hang it.
Practical, elegant and unusual is the lighted Top Hat room divider by Global Views. It comes in groups of three, which, when placed together, create a hedge of light between spaces or stand guard in a long entry hall.
