Traditional with a Twist

A modern approach to classic lighting

DesignerTrendsVer5-Image-1Mailbu 30 | Ro Sham Beaux | $3,500 – 4,500

Naturally Playful

Bohemian yet sophisticated; classic, yet contemporary. The handmade Malibu 30 beaded recycled-glass chandelier (shown in “ice”) captures the essence of functional art with a traditional shape that is given a fresh feel and aesthetic with organic materials. “Our designs are inspired by natural elements,” says Ann Yancy, owner of Ro Sham Beaux, a Charlestonbased firm specializing in lighting and furniture. “We produce our fixtures in-house and they are all made of natural materials.”

The chandelier is hand-beaded with recycled glass sourced from exotic locales such as Bali and Indonesia. It features a steel frame wrapped in hemp and finished with a playful tassel that creates a feeling of movement and whimsy. “This piece would look amazing in a clean, crisp kitchen with neutral tones or in a dining area with rustic furniture,” Yancy says. “Imagine it hanging over a tub in a master bathroom. It would be stunning.”

The Malibu 30 is fully customizable in different diameters with recycled beads available in an array of colors such as smoke or coke bottle, which features a subtle aqua tone. “We strive to create cutting-edge designs, yet also allow customers to create the look that suits their own application.” ro-sham-beaux.com, 843-798-3478

DesignerTrendsVer5-Image-2La Mer lantern | Mr. Brown | $2,385
DesignerTrendsVer5-Image-3Prescott sconce | Anteriors | $750

Scene Setters

One of the oldest and most traditional forms of lighting, the lantern has been translated by different cultures since ancient times. A modern rendition that caught the eye of Sarah Miller, gallery director for Mitchell Hill of Charleston, is the La Mer lantern by London-based Mr. Brown. Each unique piece is handmade by artisans, with the La Mer lantern made to resemble a French wrought-iron aviary that has been sized down in a subtly elegant way. It features an antique brass, fish-scale lattice that surrounds glass panels, which cast a play of shadows. “I love the scale detail,” Miller says. “The glass panels keep your line of sight moving along, so it would be perfect hung as a pair over a kitchen counter top, and it would look fabulous over a round dining table or in a grand entryway.”

Miller’s eye was also caught by another classic fixture with a modern twist: the gold-leafed iron Prescott sconce by Anteriors. “I think of a gorgeous cuff when I see this ribbed metal sconce. It is like jewelry for the wall,” she says.

Reminiscent of the raw brutalist style, it also has a modern feel. “It’s really timeless,” Miller says. “I can see this sconce flanking a mirror or an abstract piece of art, or casting romantic, moody light down a hallway.” shopmitchellhill.com, 888-269-8262

DesignerTrendsVer5-Image-4Rope-wrapped chandelier | Cuffhome | Price Upon Request

The Globe Reimagined

“We came up with the design for our clustered, ropewrapped chandelier when we were assigned to decorate a hallway at the Greystone Mansion Design House International Showcase in Beverly Hills,” says Kristi Bender, co-owner of Cuffhome. “All the big designers were there, but this light ended up being one of the highlights of the show because it is such a fun take on the globe light, which is a very traditional design.”

Cuffhome, a Los Angelesbased design firm and product line of handcrafted, Americanmade furniture and lighting, manufactures the rope-wrapped chandelier, which comes in natural white cotton or jute. Completely customizable in size and configuration with globes starting at 8 inches and going up to 36 inches, the chandelier is priced per globe and amount of rope used.

“What is so unique about this fixture is that it speaks to every style,” Bender says. A single, oversized globe wrapped through the canopy might make a beautiful statement in a stairwell or breakfast nook, while a cluster of three or seven globes together in different sizes with an added swag creates an entirely different look.

“It’s not modern, but it is. It’s not contemporary, but it can be,” she says. “What makes it so popular is that it adds warmth, dimension and texture with a bit of freshness for a nice twist on a classic.” cuffhome.com, 323-477-2030

DesignerTrendsVer5-Image-5Milano chandelier | Jonathan Adler | $1,035
DesignerTrendsVer5-Image-6Don’t Fret pendant | Taylor Burke Home | 20-inch – $1,875 | 30-inch – $2,995

Head Turners

“Whether your home design is traditional or modern, the Milano chandelier will add flair and take your room to the next level,” says Lauren Still, design consultant at award-winning Candelabra and Lyndon Leigh. This attractive upgrade to the traditional Williamsburg style features the same two-tier shape, but is modernized with thick piping, a polished finish, Lucite details and an oversized crystal sphere, giving it an edgy look. It’s a refreshing spin on a classic chandelier. “You can even give it a little retro twist by using frosted bulbs,” Still says. Another favorite is the Don’t Fret pendant. Handmade by artisans in North Carolina, the laser-cut steel is rolled into a drum shape and the brass rivets are each screwed in by hand. “The fretwork and rivet detail, usually seen on traditional furniture pieces, make this modern drum chandelier a must-have for updating a traditional space,” she says. Introduce a pop of color with eight standard finishes or customize your own color. “It looks beautiful in an entryway or dining space, but it is most striking and fun in unexpected places.” shopcandelabra.com, 843-849-7775

More Information

For More Information