Parade of Homes

>> As with fashion, pop culture and even the farm-to-table food craze, it seems the past continues to wield plen- ty of influence on present-day lighting trends. From old-fashioned exposed-filament bulbs (already a staple in hipster en- claves) to industrial cage lamps and riv- eted dome pendants, city showrooms are aglow with rustic Restoration pieces that put a fresh spin on styles dating back more than a century. "What's old is new," says Brett Robinson, presi- dent of Winnipeg's Rob- inson Lighting, after returning from his twice- annual trip to the Dallas International Lighting Market in January. "We're finding the older, vintage styles are re- ally starting to come back, especially when it comes to vintage bulbs." The classic Edison bulb — with its retro eggplant silhouette and looping, squir- rel cage filament — has for years been a regular fixture of funky gastro pubs and boutiques, embraced as much for its ste- ampunk aesthetic as its warm, candle- like glow. But no longer will Edisons be resigned to hanging bare-bulb-style from the ceil- ings of swanky microbreweries. The re- surgence of interest in Restoration and Early Electric styles has resulted in a wave of new home decor fixtures echoing the same vintage vibe — the classic, clean lines of which perfectly complement to- day's modern design styles. "It's a look you can incorporate fairly readily," says Simon Simkin, president of Super-Lite Lighting Ltd. "By and large, people are still going with soft greys, grey-taupes and taupes — those are their colours of choice for walls and accents. (The Restoration) look fits really well — it's got an acceptable, eclec- tic feel." 'We're finding the older, vintage styles are really starting to come back, especially when it comes to vintage bulbs' From wire-cage warehouse sconces and wrought iron chandeliers, to Holophane pendants and shades lifted straight from the Jazz Age, today's vintage pieces retain the simple outlines of their forebears, while exuding the same blend of raw character and Old World roman- ticism. Even contemporary fixtures are starting to reflect a certain nostalgia, particularly where materials are concerned. Though modern-looking brushed nickel pieces remain a popular (and safe) choice for local homeowners, they're gradually giving way to warmer, earthier tones — brushed brasses, oil-rubbed bronzes, amber glasses, and the like. That's not to say there's nothing new under the sun, however. Now that chandeliers are welcome in pretty much every room of the house, city showrooms are rife with eye-catching contemporary designs; think glitzy glass bubbles and twisting steel ribbons, or wrought iron sphere- and bell jar-shaped enclosures. Parade of Homes Spring 2015 95 Cont'd on page 96

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