Shining a Light on Craftsmanship and Ceramics with Lighterior
Exploring the importance of craftsmanship and authenticity, we speak with Lighterior about the beauty of ceramic lighting and how to make the most of layered lighting in the home.
Words: Cardia Speziale I Photography: Courtesy of Lighterior
Dawn Tall Wall Light from Lighterior. Main Hero Image: Atina Table Lamp. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
Fiori di Pizzo Pendant Light from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
The incorporation of layered lighting is key when it comes to adding warmth and emotion to any interior space. Driven by an appreciation for true craftsmanship and authentic design, Australian lighting supplier Lighterior offer their insight into the best ways to light up a space, why ceramic lights are having a moment, and 10 of the best ceramic lights to keep your eye on.
Crucial to making a space look and feel authentic and often acting as an interior focal piece, the importance of feature lighting should not be underestimated, suggests Jade Ash, Business Development Manager at Lighterior. ‘There can certainly be multiple focal pieces in the same space, but it’s so important to balance the forms of feature lighting. When styling a kitchen, for example, island bench pendants are a must — but don’t be afraid to shake things up,’ says Jade.
‘Rather than cluttering your island with three large pendants in a row, consider a cluster or pairing over one end of the bench to break up harsh lines, add asymmetry, and provide an intentional focal point. By reducing the footprint over the bench, the space will feel bigger and allow the eye to be drawn elsewhere,’ she adds.
Feature lighting needn’t finish at the island bench — if there is an open shelf in the space or even a large blank wall, a ceramic wall light can act as a simple yet effective feature to provide a necessary softness and textual contrast to the interior language.
‘Our handmade, ceramic fixtures are made by people for people, and an item with imperfections often reminds us that our homes are meant to be lived in,’ says Jade. Supplying designer lights from international and national brands to the Australian market since 2015, Lighterior host a curated selection of the world’s leading brands, including Il Fanale, Bert Frank, Lodes, Northern, and Lighting Republic. Celebrating nuance through one-of-a-kind designs, ceramic highlights from their range include the Dusk Short Wall Light, Cloud Wall Light, and Umarell Wall Light.
‘When searching for lamps, it’s important to consider how you want to interact with this light - do you want to light the area laterally, bouncing off of your surfaces and filling the space softly through a glass or fabric shade? Or do you want to highlight and create a focused direct light with a metallic shade or modern LED directional lamp?’ says Jade Ash. Pictured: Ena Table Lamp from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
Cora Pendant Light from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
Bell Copo Pendant Light from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
Babel Table Lamp from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
Terra Round Pendant Light from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
‘Wall lights are an absolute must to bring character and softness to a space,’ says Jade Ash. Pictured: Day Tall Wall Light from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
“Lamps are an expression of your personality, so trust your instincts. If it makes you feel something and compliments your furnishings and colouring, just get it!”
Cloud Wall Light from Lighterior. Photo: Courtesy of Lighterior
‘Our Dusk Short Wall Light is a favourite because of its amazing texture and character. Our Cloud Wall Light for its handcrafted excellence, reminding us that something so simple can still make an impact. And last but certainly not least, our Umarell Wall Light for its subtle quirkiness. In a world with far too many downlights, wall lights are an absolute must to bring character and softness to a space.’
Recognising that not every home has the option to hang wall lights, Jade reflects on Australia’s love affair with lamps and how the right ceramic lamp has the capacity to act as a unique piece of artwork within a home. ‘Ceramic lamps are sculptural, just like any other piece of art. They are a great and easy way to bring character and personal touch to your space. Furthermore, table and floor lamps are fantastic spatial anchors as they bring the light into the moody areas of a room, really highlighting furnishings and creating an lateral source of ambience.’
When choosing the right lighting for your home, trusting your instincts and selecting products that “make you feel something” will always yield the best result. ‘Remember that you’re the person looking at it every day and interacting with it in your space,’ says Jade. ‘So, if it doesn’t spark joy for you but seems trendy, think twice before putting it in your space,’ she adds.
To view their full range of Australian and international lighting designs, visit Lighterior.