Happy New Year!

So here we are once again at the start of a brand new year. Resolutions are rife amongst friends and family, all vying to lose weight, stop smoking or drinking, or perhaps join the local gym.

Christmas is a time of year where we all tend to overindulge, be it eating, drinking or other little luxurious touches, like new clothes for the works do, or an indulgent soak in the bath with the nice smelling gift set you received. Picture this ‘peak’ as being at the top of a ladder, perhaps called the ladder of indulgence. We all seem to expect ourselves to be at the summit at midnight on New Year’s Eve and suddenly the next morning, be on the floor, glowing with health. Now obviously, it is unsafe to fling yourself from the top of a ladder (please do not try this at home) and you will be undoubtedly feeling worse, not better. So be kind to yourself and ease in to your resolution(s), after all, it’s often the small yet long lived lifestyle changes that will end up having a bigger impact on your life than something you try full steam ahead that is untenable after a week or two…

With the Christmas decorations removed from the home, it always seems a little bit dull and lacklustre. However, adding luxury to your life through your home is unlikely to infringe upon any of the changes you are striving to make. It also has the added benefit of lasting for years, so you can enjoy returning to your sanctuary after enduring the treadmill (be it metaphorically or otherwise!).

Choose indulgent colours that evoke comfort to you and decide on what accent colours would work with the design. For example, blue is seen as a relaxing colour by many, but used on its own can seem cold. How about adding splashes of orange? It would emulate a hot summer sun reflecting off the surface of the sea.

Many of us are a touch afraid of colour and rightly so – bright pink looks great, but all over every surface? Perhaps not. Regardless of your taste, festive decorations are generally bright and/or shiny which adds a certain vibrancy into your home. Yet, it doesn’t have to be December for us to want our home to be bright, welcoming and still evoke a ‘wow’ when guests walk into your home, no matter how subtle that wow is.

Bright lights (colour, not bulbs!) are a great way to add this vivacious look to your home. They are also ideal for using in rented properties as you can take them with you when you move on! Our only piece of advice, is that you are best to pick one bright accent colour and stick with it. More than this and it can overpower a room easily, is likely to clash and leave the room feeling argumentative (and with that one contrary relative we all seem to have, the arguments are welcome to stay firmly behind in Christmas!).

Below, we pick our favourite teams of bright colours to add a splash of vibrancy to your home that lasts all year round.

Reds:

The colour red is a warm colour, excellent at adding an accent to cool colours, such as blues, greens and greys. It is a warm, passionate colour which is excellent at energising. It is often associated with love and romance.

Modern hanging ceiling pendant light with an elegant shaped red glass shade which is lined in white. The light hangs on a long drop adjustable clear cable from a chrome ceiling rose. Ideal lighting for over tables and kitchen islands. Can be used individually or hung together in a group for greater impact.

Decorative ceramic table lamp base in a deep red glazed finish with repeated bird pattern, the lamp sits atop of a dark wooden plinth. The lamp is switched by an inline rocker and would be suitable for any lounge or bedroom with a matching colour scheme.

A modern and chic ceiling pendant in a bright, shiny red finish. Made from aluminium with red to the outside and white to the inside to make the most of the illumination from your bulb. A sleek and elegant oval shape, reminiscent of a wine glass, this is an arresting light.

Yellows:

Yellow is a great accent to lighten dark colours, such as indigo, purple and burgundy. It is often associated with knowledge. It resonates most strongly with the left of the brain, stimulating mental faculties and logic. It evokes enthusiasm and assists with improving optimism and confidence.

A modern ceiling pendant reminiscent of a traditional factory pendant with a classic dome shape. This is an aluminium light finished in a powder coated yellow finish with a white inside to ensure maximum illumination. Complete with aluminium ceiling rose and top with a vintage braided cable.

A slim designed industrial table lamp made from solid brass in a bright and funky powder coated yellow finish to the shade. The strong, clean lines ensure that this is a stylish addition for all modern and industrial settings. Featuring a clever base in white which takes up less space on a table or desk than some alternatives, it is a versatile task light.

A large industrial ceiling pendant in yellow, based on an original design from the 1940’s. These were frequently used to adorn factories and warehouses of the era and were popular due to their hard-wearing design and ability to offer wide areas of illumination. There is an etched glass diffuser fitted at the base of the shade which offers a softer and diffused light.

A delightfully retro floor lamp in chrome with a yellow domed shade. The yellow cotton braided flex is cleverly intertwined with the curved chrome arm which keeps the cord neat and tidy. There is a foot switch for ease of use and the shade inner is finished white which ensures the best possible illumination from your bulb.

Oranges:

Orange is a great accent to cool teals, greens and blues. It is a warm, optimistic colour. Often associated with extroverts, it evokes friendly and good natured vibes. Light hearted and fun, this is great to use in social spaces.

A bright and vibrant firefly orange silk shade that fits onto our Zaragoza marble base floor lamps. Supplied complete with a frosted glass diffuser on the bottom which will hide the bulbs from view and will help eliminate any glare. Our additional image shows the other silk colours available. Takes a maximum 60 watt bulb. This colour can provide the perfect accent for the modern contemporary home.

A traditional station lamp ceiling pendant in a burnt orange finish with an opal glass globe shade. This pendant would look stunning over a kitchen island or table in any rustic setting. The light is suspended from a hooked ceiling rose and chain suspension which can be height adjusted at the point of installation allowing for use in rooms with lower ceilings. It is double insulated for use without need of an earth wire and can be switched via standard switch or by dimmer switch.

A stylish geometric pineapple lamp base teamed with a silk firefly orange shade. Pineapples were a welcome symbol in Victorian times, what better welcome than the lovely steel coloured lamp in a hallway.

A classic Nordic style glass pendant light. Available in a selection of sizes and colours, these look fantastic displayed as part of a fully customisable collection as well as on their own. This is the largest size of the collection. Mouth blown in Denmark by a small company, these are luxurious – they are not ‘off the peg’ lights! The warm rust coloured glass works with the classic, timeless design ensuring that it will enhance both modern and traditional themes. These lights will compliment any room, we think they look wonderful over dining areas and kitchen islands.

Greens:

Green reflects balance and harmony and is therefore excellent at balancing out brighter colours, such as red and orange. It’s a positive colour, representing growth and sanctuary. It inspires generosity and safety, calm and caring. It is also associated with endurance and helping to cope with adversity.

Contemporary table lamp with transparent green glass base complete with green faux silk shade. This would be suitable for use in any modern setting with a matching colour scheme.

A quirky, angular minimalist ceiling pendant made from solid brass finished in a powder coated racing green. Ideal for minimalist interiors and for an uncluttered yet eye-catching effect in industrial and modern rooms, this looks fantastic when teamed with a warm filament bulb.

A versatile picture or poster light made from solid brass in an antiqued finish with a powder coated Sage Green shade. This clever design features 3 separate points of adjustment to ensure full flexibility and control over the direction of the light. The inside of the shade is finished in white, ensuring a bright reflection from your chosen bulb. Hugely versatile, it would also serve well as a task lamp in place of a table lamp where space is limited.

A wonderfully retro ceiling pendant made in steel in a green finish. The shade inner is white to ensure the best possible reflection fro your chosen bulb. We absolutely love this light in a kitchen or over a dining table. There is also a matching table lamp available.

Multi-coloured:

Multi-coloured accents are great in otherwise quietly decorated rooms. Do not add these into rooms that already have multiple colours used as it will be colour overload! If the walls, curtains and sofas are all the same shade and you are not inspired to change them, multi-coloured may be the option for you. Try and ensure that at least one of the colours is a similar tone to the colour you have chosen and keep all the accessories used in the same colours.

A colourful and decorative ceiling pendant in antique brass and glass. Inspired by early 20th Century design, this handmade coloured glass pendant is a timeless addition to any traditional, vintage or retro setting. Suspended from an antique brass ceiling pendant, chain and black flex, this looks great in properties with standard or low ceilings. This will add character and style to any number of settings, but we love this in a cosy living room or hallway. The illumination pours through the glass to make a pretty, intricate pattern on your ceiling.

A fun and innovative speaker light to add portable sound to wherever the party is! From a day out at the beach, a picnic or a party at home, this offers all the functionality you need!

This charges within 7 hours which will then provide approximately 6 to 9 hours of continuous playback. This speaker is IP44 rated ensuring that it is safe to use in areas of light splash risk and is therefore the ideal companion for a long soak in the bath.

An eye catching, adjustable table lamp full of retro charm inspired by the psychedelic 1960’s. Made from solid steel with the exterior finished in a smooth powder coated grey which contrasts beautifully with the elaborate, vibrant colours in stripes that line the inside of the shade. The lines themselves are gently ribbed which ensures they really come to life when lit!

Here at Lighting and Lights, we wish you the very best for you, your loved ones and your newly brightened homes for 2017! View more lights here.

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