There was a noticeable increase in colorful glass lighting in Lightovation showrooms last week. It echoes the popularity of colorful glassware in tabletop, and, according to manufacturers, comes at the request of retail and design partners.
The introductions were captivating, and one could not help gravitating to them.
“Everyone wanted color,” said Taleen Titizian, chief financial officer of Avenue Lighting, which introduced the Zayna linear pendant in several color options. “It makes the lighting in the home stand out as an art piece.”
Lee Nemeth, founder of the new Arabela Lighting, agreed. “We’re seeing more color, and reacting to more color,” he said. Arabela’s Utopia collection consists of handblown green and blue glass globes as a focal point.
“I think more people are doing color,” said Adena Sperling Zebouloun, marketing director at Maxim Lighting, who said she was surprised by Pantone’s choice of white for its color of the year. “People are tired of white kitchens, they want more bold designs. People are tired. They want to feel alive.”
But she acknowledged that color is niche. Buyers come into the showroom asking for color but often wind up buying white. When they do go for something colorful, it’s often warm tones, and not pink or orange, she said.
Taka Ishii, head designer for Kalco Lighting, has inserted several beautiful colorful pieces in the company’s lineup of pendant and chandeliers, including the Kiriko multi-drop pendant, which earned a HAT tag. Color stands out online, he said, but consumers gravitate toward white.
“Color is funny,” Zebouloun said. “It can cheapen a fixture. You have to be very careful in what you’re doing with it.”
Here’s what we found at market:
