Pop up restaurants have been remastered from the original supper clubs from the 1960’s. This resurgence has helped to make eating in the new eating out and has seen some chefs, both experienced and new, able to offer their creations to the public without the vast overheads that a purpose-built restaurant would incur. Even Jamie Oliver jumped on the bandwagon…
If you have ever fancied opening your own restaurant, you could start by having a pop up restaurant at home! The only ingredients needed are good food, good company and ambience.
So; how to create ambience in a room? This is the thing most professional restaurants can struggle with, as kitchens need to be incredibly well lit but at the front of house, there needs that magic element that can’t be bought… or can it? Actually, it can because it’s mostly about lighting. Small pools of light, candles and fairy lights are great for a fun feel but in order to elevate this, you will need to add some statement lighting.
If you are looking to add drama and decadence to the space, you must look at chandeliers. Associated with glamour and luxury of past eras, they offer a focal point that no other light could compete with. Offering more than one light ensures that these are great for large rooms. You won’t have to sacrifice this look if you have a smaller room as they are now available in all shapes and sizes – just ensure that the light is approximately one third of the length of your dining table and hung centrally.
These are available in so many styles now too, from the classic tiered chandelier with shades, crystal showpieces that cascade delicately from your ceiling, rustic and Gothic styles reminiscent of medieval times to funky industrial and sputnik styles. There’s even a huge selection of chandelier styles designed for low ceilings.
Monaghan Lighting SAN – Jose Modern Chandelier In Antique Brass
Monaghan’s San Jose is a unique, modern chandelier that you can customise fully to suit your requirements. From a central column, there are 8 adjustable arms that bend in two points and are tightened in to place with wing nuts. This is made from solid brass and has an antiqued finish; this is a quality piece with a bold sculptural presence.
Inspired by 40’s industrialism and reminiscent of the 60’s sputnik design, this is a modern twist and brings an industrial charm to any room.
This is a perfect light to make a statement in any large room, but is particularly attractive over dining tables and in kitchens. It has the added benefit of being able to amend the angle and amount of directional light with ease.
Manhattan American Collection DRAWING – Room 18 Light Chandelier
The Drawing Room range is a comprehensive selection of ceiling lights and matching wall lights and it is the largest 18 light multi-tiered chandelier that is shown here.
These elegant light fittings are designed and manufactured in the USA using premium quality materials and are in a traditional classic Edwardian style. These lights would also sit well in Georgian and Regency interiors.
Overlapping arch and fluted detailing is found in both the walnut finished frame and die cast aluminium fitters and is echoed in the amber Scavo glass shades. Fretwork elements are drawn from traditional British architectural themes.
New York Lighting Collection CRYSTAL – Skye Island Chandelier
Crystal pendant light ‘Crystal Skye’ is best for over rectangles tables, bars and kitchen islands. A show stopper, covered in crystal cut in a triangular shape, which bounces and refracts light brilliantly.
The underside too has crystals cut in a rounded prismatic shape. Crystal allows light to be split you can see colours and rainbow patterns even when daylight catches the crystal and brilliant sparkle under artificial light. Bright halogen bulbs are housed within the body of the fitting, these can be dimmed to allow a mellow light for evenings entertaining. The light can be shortened at the pint of installation if required.
One of the best forms of flexible lighting for over dining tables is the rise and fall ceiling pendant. Based on the ever-popular ceiling pendant, these lights feature a counterweight along the cord, which allows you to raise and lower the light with ease. Perfect for homes with higher ceilings, they would also be ideal for vaulted or sloping ceilings as they will self-level. The light levels will vary from an intimate light when the shade is placed near the table and offer out a wider spill of light the closer to the ceiling the shade is positioned.
It’s also worth considering the material of the shade too. If you have plenty of other light sources in the room, you could consider a solid sided pendant such as one made of metal. This will focus all of the light on the table – perfect for a cosy, intimate space! The walls all but disappear when this is used on its own.
GROK STREAM – Rise and Fall LED Ceiling Pendant Bar
A modern rise and fall ceiling pendant bar, the GROK STREAM is made in polyurethane in a matte white finish. Lightweight, noncorrosive and easy to clean, this is perfect for a modern kitchen.
Featuring 2 integral LED light sources which focus the light upwards and downwards for a bright illumination. Using only 40 watts of energy and producing 3840 lumens, this is an energy efficient solution to brightly illuminate even large rooms.
Original BTC CHRISTIE – Pendant Rise and Fall Sand and Taupe Braided Cable
Davey Lighting RISE AND FALL – School Light Painted Green Polished Copper Interior
A retro rise and fall ceiling pendant in a polished copper with a green finish. Reminiscent of a vintage school light, this comes suspended on braided cable cord with a counter-weight which allow you to raise and lower the light to suit your requirements – simply perfect for today’s multi-functional dining tables!
The shade inner has been left unpainted and the copper tones ensure a warm illumination from your bulb. To further impact on your preferred ambience, this light is dimmable when used with a suitable bulb and dimmer switch.
Alternatively, you could consider a semi-translucent shade such as china or frosted glass. This will work better either over larger tables or in smaller rooms. The majority of the light is focusing on the table, but they will allow a soft, glowing light to spill out for a brighter effect.
If you are relying on just one light in the room, you will need it to be bright to allow the corners of the room to be illuminated when required, so it would be better to choose a glass shade which allows this to happen easily. If you don’t like the glare from the bulb, you could opt for ribbed or prismatic glass to soften this whilst still allowing the illumination through the whole room.
David Hunt Lighting STOWE – 3 Light Smoke Glass Pendant
An impressive light ceiling pendant reminiscent of a vintage schoolhouse design, the STOWE is made in solid antique brass with hand blown glass shades.
The Smokey glass shades offer a softly diffused light, whilst still being able to showcase the beauty of a filament bulb.
We love these over a dining table or kitchen island in any setting. They would also be ideal lights for bars and restaurants.
Broadway American Collection NEW – Harbor Island Chandelier
Rectangle pendant light ‘New Harbor Island’ perfect for above tables and kitchen islands.
The open framework on a vintage bronze effect is simple and effective. The open airy slightly industrial feel of this light works very well with vintage style bulbs (optional extra) shown in the image but, any Edison screw bulbs may be used too.
We like the practicality of the light as there is no glass, there’s no cleaning, utterly practical for kitchens and dining rooms. This light may also be used in restaurants, bars, coffee shops to name a few. Looks equally good in rustic traditional setting and modern settings.
The Lighting Book LOCO – Modern Glass Ceiling Pendant With Crystal Decoration
The Loco is a modern ceiling pendant light that is the perfect choice for lighting over dining tables.
Rectangular crystal glass drops and beads are suspended from the circular chrome frame and surrounded with a clear glass outer shade.
This is great for adding a luxurious sparkle to any setting without the fuss and fanfare of a ceiling chandelier.
If this is all a bit too much for your taste, you could look at standard ceiling pendants. Smaller in scale, they can still add a great style effect to your room. You can often get matching table and floor lamps to increase the light levels in the room whilst maintaining a stylish and cohesive look in your room.
The Lighting Book OTTOMAN – French Gold Ceiling Pendant
The Ottoman is a gorgeous fluted glass hanging ceiling pendant richly decorated with French gold metal work.
Traditional in style, the clear glass allows for a wide spread of illumination. It comes supplied with a drop of 1.5 metres is ideal for high ceilings and can be adjusted at the point of installation for lower ceilings. The fitting is double insulated and can be used safely without an earth wire.
Manhattan American Collection ALLIER – Large Ceiling Pendant
The Allier is a decorative contemporary design ceiling pendant which gives an elegantly mid century retro look.
Light coloured aged oak wood is used to create an orb frame which surrounds the brushed steel fitting and opal glass tubular shade.
Picture this in a stairwell or our favourite over dining room table or kitchen island.
The chain and cable can be shortened to accommodate for lower ceilings and can be switched by a standard switch or dimmer switch.
The Lighting Book PLAZA – Crystal And Chrome Modern Chandelier Ceiling Pendant
The Plaza is a contemporary design ceiling pendant light supported on wires that is ideal for hanging in stairwells and over dining table.
The torus shaped shade has a chrome frame filled with faceted crystal glass squares.
Perfect for adding a touch of glitz and glamour to any modern room.
When darker colours have been chosen for the walls, or if you have a large room, wall lights are a fantastic way of adding charm to your lighting. Alternatively, you could look at picture lights to focus on your favourite photos and art whilst adding subtle ambient light. Many wall lights come with a switch so you can select which ones are on, but if not, many can be hard wired to a dimmer switch too.
GARBO – Bronze Black Wall Light
Classic quality made British light fittting from David Hunt Lighting. The GARBO range is a popular collection much admired by interior designers. The double insulated wall light shown here is in the bronze finish which has an attractive mosaic pattern. Supplied complete with the elegant black string shades shown.
RAY – 1 Light Wall Bracket Antique Brass Clear
The Ray has an attractive vintage design. A single wall light in an antique brass finish complete with a clear tapered glass shade, this would be suitable for use in any vintage or industrial setting and would be great for lighting in a kitchen or dining room.
It is double insulated for use without need of an earth wire and can be switched by standard switch or dimmer.
DIAMOND – Geometric Wall Light
A modern contemporary design wall light, the Diamond has dramatic geometric opal glass panelling surrounded by a polished nickel structure.
The opal glass creates a soft warm light and hides the bulbs from view, this would be suitable for use in any modern setting and would be ideal for lighting in bedrooms and living rooms. This light can be switched by standard switch or dimmer switch.
SPENCE – 60Cm Cast Brass Picture Light In Antique Brass
The Spence is an adjustable traditional picture light in solid brass with an antique finish. Featuring 4 x 25 Watt bulbs along a 60 cm length, this provides a wide and effective light to larger works of art.
Great to use in both residential and commercial settings, this has a slim profile and a sophisticated quality. Featuring 2 supporting arms with adjustable swivel joints, you can tailor the effect to your preference.
We love these lights in traditional and vintage settings and they are especially effective in larger rooms.
LED Picture Reading Light Chrome
A sleek and modern picture light in a polished chrome finish. An angular design, this will bring a modern element to your room whilst illuminating your favourite works of art. A hinged joint supports the arm to allow for full control over the direction of the light.
Comes with an integral LED light source which uses 7.68 watts and delivers an impressive 614 lumens. Complete with pull switch for ease of operation.
SCHWERIN – Antique Bronze Adjustable Picture Light
This is a great, adjustable picture light in an antique bronze finish. Featuring a dimmer switch and an adjustable arm, you are sure to create the perfect light for your needs.
Picture lights are great at highlighting your favourite artwork or architectural interest points and are also great at adding more dramatic ambience to the room.
We think that these are ideal in more traditional settings, but they also look great in more modern settings when placed over mirrors – this is a great technique if you need more light in your room!
So, come and see the huge range of dining room lights we can offer! Eating in will seem so much more rewarding – and you get to share it time after time with your friends and family! And when you fancy a night off cooking, there is still a takeaway… Talking of takeaways, here are some table and floor lamps that we love in dining rooms for added ambience…
