We spend a lot of time, money and effort on getting our homes just the way we like them. Colours, textures and the layout is meticulously planned, with focal points and ornaments helping to complete the effect. Lighting is sometimes overlooked, but it is a vital part of your room and will accentuate and illuminate your design to perfection whilst adding that all important ‘je nes c’est pas’ – ambience.
Many of the rooms that we use in the home to relax require a soft, relaxed light and there is no better way than to use lights with a diffuser. But what is a diffuser? It is a material that is used to cover the bulb from view from most angles and it helps to soften the glare that we see when we look directly at a bulb. Effectively, the path of the light travels through the material, without being absorbed but instead their path is scattered and sprinkled in various directions. This gives us the softer light that is easier on the eye, whilst still allowing a bright illumination.
There are many assorted styles of light that offer diffused light and a whole host of materials which ensures that you have a wide selection of lights to choose from that will compliment your home setting.
Using lights that feature diffusers help to hide unsightly bulbs from view, along with being similar to using the beauty mode on a camera! Harsh, angled light is replaced with a soft edged glow, basking your room in melodious radiance, evoking a tranquil theme that’s perfect for relaxing at the end of a busy day.
There are many materials used to diffuse the illumination from the bulb, along with many designs. Some lights will use the shade itself to cover the bulb, whereas others will incorporate a diffuser into the design, for example within a drum shade. The most popular materials used for diffusing light are listed below and we look at the benefits and examples used in lighting design.
Frosted glass is made from sections of clear glass that are distressed on one side by sandblasting. This process renders the glass translucent, which allows the light to pass through, but blurs and softens the image through the glass.
DEE – Beautiful LED Glass Ceiling Pendant
The DEE is a modern glass ceiling pendant with an frosted glass shade. The shade ensures a wide spread of glare free light and is perfect for any number of different styles and settings.
Suspended on black braided cable cord which can be adjusted at the point of installation to suit most ceiling heights. This comes complete with an integral LED light source to ensure that you enjoy low running costs and is also double insulated which ensures that it is safe to use in homes without an earth cable.
Modern and elegant, this will add a timeless sophistication to any contemporary setting.
Prismatic glass is clear glass, so is ideal for those looking to introduce very little colour into a room. Generally, the outer side of the glass is smooth, contrasting with the inner surface which features deep furrows. These ridges act as a diffuser, by ensuring that the light refracts through and has the added benefit of adding a bit of sparkle.
MARLOW – Cage Lamp Industrial Factory Light In Antique Silver
The MARLOW ceiling pendant is reminiscent of traditional industrial factory lights. The smooth top section contrasts beautifully with the prismatic glass shade encased in a metal cage. Made from solid brass and steel in an antique silver finish.
The prismatic glass shade ensures an even and far reaching distribution of light free from glare. Suspended on a metre of chain and cable which can be shortened at the point of installation for lower ceilings. We can also supply this with longer lengths of chain and cable – please contact the team here at Lighting and Lights who will be happy to help.
We think this pendant looks great in industrial and modern settings in kitchens, dining rooms and hallways. It would also be a fantastic choice for bars, restaurants and hotels.
Ribbed glass works in a very similar way to prismatic glass, with the exception that the ribbing is carried through to both sides of the glass. This helps to protect eyes from glare, whilst still offering a bright illumination.
REBELL – Coolie Adjustable Poster Light In Antique Brass
The REBELL wall light is an adjustable and versatile wall light made in solid brass in an antiqued finish. Reminiscent of a factory style lamp, this swing arm light features three pivot joints to enable you to direct the light to suit your requirements. This means that it can take the place of a number of light fittings as it will act as a picture light, wall light and table light.
The gently ribbed glass allows for wide reaching and glare free illumination. It would lend itself extremely well to commercial use, such as bars and restaurants and would also be a great light for use in most rooms around the home. It compliments all industrial and retro settings.
Opal glass is coloured before it is blown, in an opaque, milky white colour. The effect can vary greatly dependant on how much colour is added. The most popular, is to add lesser amounts for opal glass used in lighting, and when mouthblown, some artisans like to leave a slight marbling effect which ensures every piece is unique. Light is refracted through the glass, ensuring a softened illumination.
BALLOONS – Modern Chrome and Opal Glass Ceiling Pendant
The BALLOONS is a modern ceiling pendant with a large opal globe surrounded by a wide band of steel in a polished chrome finish. Suspended on wire and cable which can be adjusted at the point of installation to suit most ceiling heights.
This stunning light adds a great glare free illumination to add ambience to any space. This light can also be dimmable when teamed with a suitable bulb and switch.
We love this in any room, especially over dining tables and in kitchens.
Acid glass follows a similar process to the distressing method of the frosted glass, but instead of using the sandblasting method, the glass is dipped into an acid solution which creates a milky white, matte finish to the glass. As the acid can be applied the glass has been blown and finished, you can also get some with additional decorative designs which are maintained through the acid process.
BISTRO – 5 Light Industrial Ceiling Antique Brass Marble Glass
The BISTRO is simply designed 5 light ceiling pendant with a retro vibe. Shades are made in acid glass with a marble effect with a metal rim, suspension arms, top and suspension chain in an antique brass finish.
Reminiscent of an Art Deco design, it emulates the style of classic bistros and diners. Offering a wide and bright illumination from the open ended shades, this is a delight over tables and work surfaces.
Etched glass uses a caustic solution, traditionally used to add a decorative pattern to glass. This allows a contrast between clear or lightly frosted glass with a the etching providing a whiter, more frosted appearance. This technique was hugely popular in Victorian and Edwardian lighting and we are seeing a resurgence of this in Industrial designed lighting using geometric and grids in glass to act as a diffuser.
GRIFFIN – Weathered Brass Medium Semi-Flush
Holophane glass was designed in the late 19th Century, specifically designed to withstand excessive heat associated with lighting of the era. The glass is blown, using prism shaped ridges within which offer a glare free light, allowing the light to pass both up and down ensuring a wide range of illumination. This style of glass is particularly popular in vintage lighting designs.
BOUSTA – Holophane Ceiling Pendant With Diffuser In Antique Brass
The BOUSTA ceiling pendant is a great design, bringing a fusion of holophane glass with a cast antiqued brass cage. The holophane style glass carefully diffuses the light ensuring it is glare free and adds interest when not illuminated as it sparkles natural light too.
This light also features a diffuser, softening the light and creating an evocative ambience.
Suspended on an antique brass chain which can be easily adjusted during installation by simply removing the unnecessary links. We can also supply a longer length of chain (up to 3 metres) – please contact us here at Lighting and Lights and we can customise the order for you.
This light looks amazing over dining tables as the cage casts delicate shadows. It lends itself to long drops and makes a great feature to hallways and living rooms. It would enhance modern, contemporary and industrial settings. This would also make an ideal choice for bars, cafes and restaurants.
Acrylic diffusers are a popular way to diffuse the light. They are a particularly lightweight addition for lighting designs, and offer excellent flexibility. They are often used to house LEDs within contemporary designs.
CIRC – Contemporary Ceiling Pendant Rectangle LED White
The CIRC is a large ceiling pendant in a matte white finish featuring an LED rectangular light source. Perfect for modern and minimalist settings, this is suspended on wire which can be adjusted at the point of installation to suit most ceiling heights.
The LEDs sit within a frosted diffuser for a glare free light. We love these over dining tables and in kitchens.
At an impressive 120 cm long, these would also look great in large rooms such as bars, restaurants and cafes.
QUICK WIN: One of the easiest ways to create a little ambience in your home is to plug in a table lamp – great for an instant change! They also help balance the light at lower levels of the room. So now, armed with knowledge, you too can create the perfect ambience in your home.