Dwelling: Shedding Light On The Growing Maximalist Trend: Statement Lighting
Over the past year, there has been a grand and rather unexpected shift in interior design. For a while, minimalism had made a full comeback and was at the height of its popularity, characterized by simple, classic designs, clean lines, and a focus on functionality while stripping spaces of "unnecessary personal items” to create a feeling of cleanliness and replacing bold, bright colors with neutral palettes and calming tones. However, after COVID-19, maximalism came in hot and heavy, and neutral palettes were replaced with bright, warm tones, clean lines became bold patterns, and interior designers introduced the idea of layering and focusing on the idea of creating a welcoming space filled with pieces of your life and personality.
One of the key considerations of maximalism is the inclusion of statement pieces. Most entering into the world of maximalist interior design have the first thought on anchoring their spaces in avant-garde art pieces, beautifully odd or hand-carved furniture, collectible items adopted from one’s travels and hobbies, or even an accent wall to draw the eye of visitors. While all of these are common, safe, and perfectly acceptable options, there is one way to make a daring statement that most homeowners don’t think of: your lighting.
Interior designers such as Frederick Tang, Uchronia, and Patrick Mele have mastered the art of creating lighting pieces that add both drama and power (no pun intended) to a room. Designers such as these have highlighted that lighting should no longer be thought of as something out of the way, tucked into the corner as simply a means to illuminate a space. Instead, lighting should be thought of as a work of art that can easily elevate your living space. Their goal is to create an eye-catching fixture that serves as a decorative focal point in any room adding personality and filling the room with a unique balance of character and sophistication; from strange yet decadent pieces like the Botanica Collection from Avram Studio with shades of glass and braided leather that drape and curve like the hanging banana flowers they were inspired by, to Tennant New York’s pleated, painted and hanging Pendant chandeliers which look like giant intricate fans (for a measly $2600).
Pieces such as the aforementioned are plenty eye-catching on their own, but to make them work in any room, it’s important to keep in mind that placement matters for the absolute best effect. Think of these objects as sculptures or moveable art, with the uncanny ability to highlight key architectural details of your home through correct strategic placement; statement lighting can highlight beautiful home features such as vaulted ceilings, grand staircases, or even that specific art piece you proudly collected and would like to show off, through placing your lighting beside, above, or even in place to frame these key features you would like your guests to be drawn into.
No matter how you want to use your statement light fixture, designers emphasize placing it with purpose - that your statement piece should only serve a larger lighting plan and add a more layered look to your space. So first thing’s first is to consider the overall vibe you’re going for (e.g. bold and graphic or warm and relaxed) and hunting to find a fixture that complements this mood perfectly (Tennant New York is a great place to start for reasonably priced fixtures and a wide range of collections inspired by different tones like “art deco” and “wilderness”).
Regardless, maximalism is about personal expression and finding new ways to weave your personality into every corner and breathe life into every room of your home. Statement lighting is the final touch to your personal space that you didn’t know you needed. So why wait? For a great place to start, you can check out Tennant New York’s website or Avram Rusu Studio for information on their collections.
