METALLICS MARCH 2017

Metallic lights are all the rage this season. Pretty much every home decor store or interior decorating department of larger stores have some contemporary version of the retro-styled painted metallic or brushed metal finished angled desk lamp or standing lamp on display.

Metallics seem to be making a grand comeback in home decor generally. From new designs to the increased popularity of old pieces, rescued from antique stores or junkyards and given a new lease on life, more metal is finding its way into every room in the home.

Melissa Davidson from a leading lighting retailer, The Lighting Warehouse, suggests this might be due to people seeking more glamour in their lives.

“Adding a touch of metallic to your interior décor composition is a great way to making the space in question infinitely more glamorous. However, too much, and the space will look too cold, hard and uninviting. Like most things, incorporating metallic is all about striking the perfect balance,” she said.

According to Melissa, lighting is the perfect way to incorporate the metallic trend into the home decor as accent pieces with functional appeal. “Metallic lighting reflects light and many times open up a space, and it almost always gives a dull room a more interesting appeal and unexpected magnetism.”

Here are some of her top tips on how to include metallics into your home without being tipping the scales too far…

Strike the balance

Mix metallics in with different, softer textures to balance them out.

Think of metal lighting pieces with fluffy lampshades, or even a standing lamp placed next to a soft inviting couch complete with throw cushions or standing on a textured rug.

Start small

Better to incorporate small doses of metallics into your décor rather than adding one large permanent piece which might prove a little overwhelming.

Small accent pieces and lighting is a great place to start – as they are easy to interchange and move around until you find the perfect balance.

Neutral palette

A neutral monochromatic colour palette will really make the metallic lighting used pop. Metallics pair fantastically with the darker hues that are so in vogue at the moment, such as grey, black, navy or a variety of deep, rich jewel tones. Alternatively, you can keep the palette light and bright, with a variety of shades of white.

Like attracts like

Try and use the same form of metallic throughout, such as brass for example, but mixing it up in various finishes or textures.

So if your metal side tables are brushed metal, think of polished or stamped metallic finishes for the lighting. If you have other metallic items in your home, from metallic handles on doors to curtain rings, make sure you consider them all when deciding what new items to incorporate.