THE GLOWING CORNER

Investing in home Accessories is more fun Today than ever before With new and innovative Styles doing the rounds. Sumita bagchi explores The latest in lighting Trends this season

A plain whitewashed room crammed with furniture can be as bare as an empty mind. However, a dash of
colour, coupled with soft lighting to complement the upholstery and the right accessories placed at appropriate corners will not just illuminate your room, but also add character to it. Asserting this theory, interior decorator Shabnam Gupta adds, “Lighting can make or break the mood of the design that one is trying to create. Integral to any design, we always try to create two types of light, one a general light, which is used on a daily basis and the other called mood light that completely transforms a place.”

There is no better time to start experimenting with lights, and the various moods it creates, than during the monsoons. Sitting cozily at home amidst the halo of a beautiful lampshade, listening to the sound of raindrops and feasting your eyes on the serene nature outside is a joy in itself.

A GLORIOUS BEGINNING
From being simply utilitarian, the recent lighting methods and light fixtures have become an essential part of home décor. Says Raseel Gujral, interior designer and owner as well as the Creative Director of the interiors’ store Casa Paradox, “Decorative lamps are not just pieces of art, but also have a practical side to it.” Creating the right look for your home is about meticulously choosing and decorating every aspect with great style and care. No amount of styling will be complete without the help of appropriate lighting that lends a warm and radiant feel to the room. You can begin with a great looking table lamp or a hanging lamp and move onto more contemporary ones in newer materials and exciting shapes and sizes to further liven up the ambience—after all, nothing beats the romantic and resplendent aura created by coloured glass pieces of an ornate lamp or the glittering shine of a beautiful chandelier.

TREND METRE
The latest in trends, according to Gupta are LED lights, which seem to be the flavour of the season. “Light should be decided according to what suits the space, whether it’s antique or contemporary. A fusion of both is what works best for me. It is far more exciting to have something unexpected,” she sums up. Chandeliers are also seen making a comeback. Suitable not just for hanging over the dining room table anymore, you can use them to create a beautiful focal point. Heavily adorned with hand-cut crystals and blown glass beads and baubles, these extra touches will add a sparkle and excitement to the style of your room’s décor or setting.

With newer materials and unique treatments, lampshadefashions are changing by the day. “Colours like silver, black, pink, lime, turquoise or even an upbeat fusion of colours can bring in a happy mood and sentiment to your house. Oversize lamps, like our series of Moroccan lamps in ceramic, that make a huge sculptural presence and the usage of statement-making pieces are quite the rage this season. You can go for a blend of metal with stones or semi-precious stones for a different look,” suggests Gujral. The fabric choices for shades are much more decorative and refined, such as silks and crinkled oiled papers. You can now have fun selecting a lampshade dressed up with a row of glass beads, pearls, tassels or even feathers to complement a setting in your home.

RETRO STYLE
For visual appeal, consider mixing sizes, shapes and styles of lamps in a room. “A fresh approach to antique designs can do wonders to a contemporary setting,” says Gujral. The idea of design and the functions of a lamp embrace each other for best results in home décor today. Adding a pedestal lamp to a room can create depth of light and contrast of brightness that can shift a visitor’s attention and draw their eyes to the interesting details of the room. The combined effect of layered lighting can also make a room appear larger or smaller than it is in reality. Enhancing one particular wall or washing spaces with light can also create a fascinating pattern. If you have three lamps, you may want to invest in two similar lamps and a third lamp in a different style. Try grouping two small suspended lampshades, light-globes or lanterns in a corner or hanging one over a sideboard for added drama. “The concept of mixing and matching can be a great option. You can decorate a small room with a big chandelier or a big seating area with several small hanging lights. It completely depends on how far you are able to push your creative sensibility,” says Gupta. You can also use unusual fabrics, probably unused ones at home, like the old brocade pieces from the ’60s. Use these fabrics and fashion them into lampshades or design them in fibre and hand paint them to suit your fancy. Another innovative technique is to just blend in your favourite colour and club two-three different coloured shades together for that bold look, she adds further.

Combining fashion and function, the accessory runway is abundant with handcrafted bases made of cast iron, carved wood, hammered copper, brass and elegant combinations of hand-blown glass, crystal, marble and much more. However, always keep in mind the thumb-rule—your home is not an assortment of classy and expensive pieces, but a reflection of your own personality, so adding your personal touch will make it truly yours.