Photography: Anson Smart
There was once a time, in the not-too-distant past, when the sunset plunged our homes into darkness each night. When Home Beautiful was first published in 1925, many Australian homes didn’t have electricity. As Sue Walker explains in The Untold Story of William Shum, “It was expensive, the supply was unreliable and people were frightened of being electrocuted.” Home Beautiful embraced this lighting innovation, encouraging readers with articles about “the strange new world of the all-electric home”.
The schemes born in that period still inform our homes. We spoke to lighting designer and Bond University lecturer, Dr Susan Lambert, as well as co-founder of The Montauk Lighting Co, Marie Botsis-Premici, to shine a light on how the past and present mingle with electric yet timeless style.
Lighting trends: 1920s-1940s
There’s still a lot of charm to the style of lighting that developed in the early days of electricity. As Dr Susan Lambert explains, “Two strong design movements emerged: the Bauhaus and the Art Deco movement.” Semi-flush mount ceiling lights with glass shades and satin nickel finishes were popular, as were porcelain pendants.
The schoolhouse light shade, with its distinctive curved bowl design, is a standout from the period. These forms of lighting weren’t just sculptural but practical as well. “Light shades were diffuse so provided light in all directions,” says Susan. For a pendant that transcends trends, Marie from The Montauk Lighting Co suggests refined silhouettes and quality materials, plus a sense of scale to suit the size of the room.
A timeless scheme allows overhead lighting to be off in favour of wall lights, floor and table lamps” – Marie Botsis-Premici, co-founder of The Montauk Lighting Co
Shop the iconic styles
‘Clarisse’ pendant light,
$739, Temple & Webster.
‘Willis’ resin semi-flush mount ceiling light,
$419.99 (was $655), Temple & Webster.
‘PH’ Opal Glass table lamp in Black,
$2,638.15, Nordic Nest.
Telbix ‘Lyman’ table lamp,
$179, Schots Home Emporium.
‘Carlton’ pendant light in Black and Opal Gloss Glass,
$116 (was $168.95), Mica Lighting.
‘Nathan’ pendant light in Satin Chrome,
$179.99 (was $219.99), Temple & Webster.
Lighting trends: 1950s-1960s
The ’50s and ’60s saw a Scandinavian design trend sweep our shores and it’s a style that still has a hold over us: mid-century modern. “Lighting like the George Nelson saucer and the Artemide mushroom lamp reflect the era’s futuristic aesthetic that developed as a result of advancements in science and technology,” says Susan. These mushroom-cap silhouettes are still popular as table and floor lamps, especially in colourful hues.
Says Marie, “A well-designed lamp should feel like a sculptural object by day and create atmosphere by night.” Ultimately, that’s the secret to the perfect lighting scheme – the addition of ambience. As Marie adds, “there’s nothing cosier than lamp o’clock.”
Shop the iconic styles
Artemide ‘Nessino’ table lamp in Orange,
$237, Holloways of Ludlow.
Telbix ‘Polk’ pendant light in Black & Aluminium,
$370/45cm, Schots Home Emporium.
George Nelson replica ‘Bubble Saucer’ pendant light,
$359.99/45cm (was $419.99), Temple & Webster.
‘Miki’ industrial aluminium pendant light in Silver,
$39.95 (was $64.95), Temple & Webster.
‘Azzedine’ silver floor lamp,
$179 (was $249), Early Settler.
‘Jaspa90’ pendant light,
$779 (was $1,129.95), Mica Lighting.
Lighting trends: 1970s-1980s
The mushroom silhouette evolved in 1977 with the ‘Atollo’ table lamp by Vico Magistretti, which is still popular today and sold by Euroluce. And as the ’80s burst onto the scene, originality was officially in.
“Light fittings had bold expression in a variety of colours and there was an emphasis on individuality,” shares Susan. “Recessed downlights became very popular, and lighting moved away from surface mounted lights to recessed and track mounted luminaires.” We’re still feeling the effects of the rise in downlights. While they serve a purpose, Marie says they have been overused. “Downlights have come a long way,” she says. “You can cut the impact of downlights by ensuring the LED light source is deep set into the fitting.”
Shop the iconic styles
‘Cosh’ table lamp in Brass,
$67.95 (was $79.95), Freedom.
‘Thor’ desk lamp with USB in Black,
$129, Myer.
Arteluce ‘Aurora’ pendant by Perry King & Santiago Miranda,
$3,690.57, Etsy.
‘Saturn’ table lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs,
$2,429.45, Etsy.
‘Toya’ steel adjustable task lamp in Silver,
$119.99 (was $149.99), Temple & Webster.
Oluce ‘Atollo’ table lamp in Nickel by Vico Magistretti,
$1,892 (was $2,102), Archi Products.
Lighting trends: 1990s – 2000s
At the turn of the century, halogen bulbs still influenced lighting design. These were small in size, meaning recessed lights could have a smaller diameter. “To minimise the number of openings in a ceiling,” says Susan, “pairing and grouping low voltage lights became popular.” She adds that this decade saw a rise in our environmental consciousness and this is something that The Montauk Lighting Co has also noticed. “There’s been a shift in style to more organic materiality and form,” says Marie. “From rattan, leather and plaster finishes combined with raw brass that ages beautifully over time, through to irregular shapes that create movement.” The key is in the materiality and form.
Shop the iconic styles
‘Gregg’ pendant light by Ludovica e Roberto Palomba for Foscarini,
$671/Small, Lumens.
‘Wisteria’ leadlight Tiffany table lamp,
$169.99 (was $199.99), Temple & Webster.
Large ‘Egg’ floor lamp by Michel Froment, 1990s,
$14,945.62, 1st Dibs.
‘Dioscuri’ table lamb by Michele De Lucchi for Artemide,
$6305/Mini, Lumens.
Lighting trends: 2010s-now
In the 2010s we farewelled halogens and there was a widespread adoption of LED bulbs. This change was swift thanks to the reduction in wattage that LED lights provided. “Due to the small size of LED strip lights, they also replaced fluorescent tubes,” adds Susan. “This allowed for indirect lighting to be easily incorporated into coves and recesses.”
Creative placements, such as under stair treads, kitchen cabinetry and bathroom mirrors, all serve purposes. In the future, Marie predicts bold designs, such as those in hotels and restaurants. “With access to so many incredible global brands in Australia we can all create something unique to us. Something that resonates and connects us to a special place or moment in time.”
Shop the iconic styles
‘Cortland’ LED pendant light,
$589.99 (was $699), Temple & Webster.
‘Sorento’ ceramic table lamp in White,
$199.95, Myer.
3-light ‘Tree’ floor lamp in Gold,
$132.99/165cm, Myer.
‘Catalina’ table lamp in Rose and Linen
$139.99, Adairs.
‘Vernon’ woven table lamp in Brown,
$179.95, Myer.
‘IC Lights’ by Michael Anastassiades
$1,639 (was $2,187), Archi Products.
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