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The latest look in decorative lighting has hit the wall. Sconces, light fixtures attached to the wall halfway between the floor and ceiling, get thumbs-up approval for adding sophistication to a space.
The most significant current trend in sconces is the extraordinary variety of styles that have appeared in the marketplace. It seems as if every conceivable material, finish and style is available. This is a trend in the lighting industry in general, but sconces have significantly proliferated as a category in the last three to four years.
The trends are all over the board. Everything from petite colored sconces to ornate, oversized ones; from traditional design to contemporary.
While traditional brass sconces continue to rate raves, there has been an increase in painted metal, and nickel or pewter finishes. Hand-forged steel offers rustic appeal. Post-modern styles emphasize simple sconces with modernist lines and shapes but with some variety in the details and the ornament.
Sconces range in size and shape to fit any wall. While the average indoor sconce is about 12 inches tall, some are as long as 30 inches and quite slender.
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People are increasingly looking for sconces with a clean, architectural look. Brushed nickel and dark bronze are popular finishes which work in a wide variety of applications.
Most exciting is the availability of shades made of glass, fabric and other materials. Traditional sconces with exposed lamps designed to simulate the appearance of a candle tend to be glaring, since the filament of the light bulb is exposed. Shades help soften the look.
Sconces add tremendous comfort to a space because they bring attention to the perimeter of a room. Added to soaring spaces, they offer a method of creating a more human scale. When controlled by a dimmer, they are extremely valuable in places such as family rooms, media rooms and living rooms as a means of controlling the mood of the space.
Think of sconces as wall art. It's the sconce itself, as well as how the light and shadows play on the wall. We try to design a certain amount of sculpture into each piece we do.
From their perch on the wall, sconces create a play of light and shadow that changes as the evening darkens. Add a dimmer to control the light quality of a sconce, and a room can be modified to create unique and varying moods.
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Technically, a sconce is a term used to define wall-mounted fixtures that are installed on the inside of a home. The use of wall-mounted fixtures on the exterior of a home is a common detail, but these fixtures are more commonly called outdoor fixtures or wall lanterns. They serve the same purpose as interior sconces, but are designed to withstand exposure to varied weather conditions.
Tips for Choosing the Right Sconce.
Sconces lend ambient light to a room and offer a soft glow which complements ceiling fixtures, portable and recessed lighting. The splash of light on a wall that only sconces provide creates a distinctive look to any setting. Because they are often accent lighting, sconce selection ranks as mostly an aesthetic decision.
Sconces are generally chosen to complement the primary fixtures of a house. Sconces, light fixtures attached to the wall halfway between the floor and ceiling, get thumbs-up approval for adding sophistication to a space.
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