Caxton magazines staffLighting can make or break an interior. The perfect starting point is to ask what you’re using a room or particular area for and then select the lighting accordingly. Jean-Pierre de la Chaumette, director of JP Inc. Communications, discovers several interesting light sources at the Make It New exhibition in Cape Town
Task, ambient and feature lighting all have their purposes and most rooms require a combination of all three. Here are some of my favourites from the show:
Task lighting
These lights illuminate a specific area to assist with tasks like reading and food preparation. They’re often adjustable to allow for more flexibility when lighting a specific area.
These Cork desk lights designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden are perfect for a desk and home office area.
This gold Espresso lamp by Piers Mansfield-Scaddan offers both ambient and functional lighting, perfect for reading a book on your favourite armchair, plus it looks extremely glamorous.
Feature Lighting
A category usually dominated by dramatic chandeliers, feature lighting does what it says on the tin. While it affords ample illumination in a space, the primary function is to provide a focal point in a room.
The ‘Mandala’ Chandelier by Willowlamp (made from metal ‘ballchain’) is a statement piece offering impressive scale and is perfect for a double volume entrance hall.
This ‘living’ chandelier is a collaboration between Opus (well known for creating hanging plants and gardens) and Hoi P’Loy Lighting and was designed to inject organic excitement into a space.
Ambient Lighting
This type of lighting creates mood and character to a room and allows you to personalise a space.
The Umthi Hanging Lamp by Meyer Von Wielligh offers a beautiful pool of ambient light in a living area.
Sobeit Studio created this fun Pollock Tripod Lamp which provides directional lighting to highlight a piece of artwork and creates an atmospheric pool of light.
Recycling and repurposing
The highlights of the Make It New exhibition are the recycled or repurposed designs. These lights reflect the ongoing trend to give old things a new purpose. From discarded detergent bottles to unused teapots, there are some ingenious lighting solutions.
Heath Nash’s multicoloured Bottleformball pendant light is made from plastic detergent and household bottles. The circular green bottle chandelier is by Magpie Art Collective.
The Teapot Chandelier (also by Magpie Art Collective) is made from upcycled teapots, cups and other discarded items. It would definitely be a quirky addition to a dining table.
There’s much more to see at the exhibition and it’s a fantastic event to attend for all design lovers. This showcase of Western Cape design and craft talent continues at the V&A Waterfront’s Watershed until 7 December between 10h00 and 19h00 and is free to the public.
