Indoor luminaires do more than just a utilitarian function. Any chandelier, even if it is an industrial stamping, is capable of decorating a room and creating a cozy atmosphere. This is even more true of Italian chandeliers made of shining Murano glass and crystal, which bring an element of sophistication and style to any living room.
Features of production
Italian lighting fixtures usually don't need advertising. Their luxurious appearance, stylish design and unsurpassed level of light output are the result of a harmonious fusion of ancient traditions and modern trends in art. The quality of workmanship is maintained due to the fact that the products fulfill the certification requirements required for obtaining the “Made in Italy” label.
According to a certificate developed by order of the state and protecting the position of Italian manufacturers, lighting products must be completely made in Italy from semi-finished products that have been processed in the country, from high quality natural materials and using standard working methods. Thus, the state not only preserves the age-old traditions of creating chic Venetian chandeliers, but also maintains their impeccable quality.
In Italy, there may be various production facilities for lighting fixtures, including those of the premium level, but not all of them fulfill the requirements of this certificate. Accordingly, they cannot be considered natively Italian and represent the perfect balance of light, glass and fittings.
The main trends in Italian production are:
- Rejection of methods of mass industrial production;
- Fusion of different styles in decoration;
- Surface finishing and manufacturing of glass parts with the utmost care.
It is very easy to distinguish a certified Italian-made chandelier from a fake, but this becomes possible only after some time: the plafond, pendants, metal or coating of a truly Italian lamp will never fade or lose their attractiveness. It is for this reason that they are in the top catalogs and decorate both French boutiques and hotel lobbies in the United Arab Emirates.
Varieties
Despite the fact that many people associate the appearance of a Venetian lamp with a classic multi-tiered chandelier with dozens of horns, today Italian designers offer all modern types of lamps:
- For general lighting there are chandeliers, suspensions and shades, which can be suspended or ceiling;
- For local lighting we offer sconces that are mounted on brackets of various shapes or lamps that are fixed to the wall with the back wall;
- For combined lighting create floor and portable lamps, as well as built-in structures;
- Decorative lamps, especially effectively allowing to reveal the spirit of real Murano glass.
Materials (edit)
It is difficult to imagine anything more beautiful than Italian Murano chandeliers. In the catalogs you can see a huge number of different models for every taste and in a different style solution - from old to modern.
Each of them is beautiful, they amaze with decor and luxurious appearance.
The variety of materials with which Italian craftsmen know how to work and the skillful combination of seemingly incompatible elements are surprising.
First of all, this concerns the combination of feathers, silk, organza and metal in one lamp. Very often it is brass, chrome-plated or coated with "antique gold", which looks great with a lampshade made of white or amber fabric or with crystal pendants decorated with feathers.
Brass, in its natural pale gold color, also works well with all kinds of high-gloss porcelain shades. Ceramic shades, for example, in the shape of tulips, harmonize delightfully with pearl-colored metal and milky opal crystal pendants.
The amber crystal of pendants and lampshades made of shining Murano glass interspersed with gold foil perfectly resonate with the metal coated with "white pearls".
Often the metal base of the chandeliers is combined with natural wood elements, adding color play with Swarovski crystals. For example, the "aged gold" coating of the metal makes the wooden parts of the "dark walnut" color more sophisticated, and the green crystal pendants turn out to be the finishing touch to this masterpiece.
Forged bronze as a base bears complex flower compositions made of Murano glass, which, flowing from one shade to another and shimmering, creates the effect of a living rosebud or tulip.
Crystal pendants can decorate elements of glass and ceramics, or perform solo, creating illusory pendants-waterfalls hanging on long metal cords.
Popular styles
In addition to impeccable quality, Italian lighting fixtures are appreciated all over the world for their exquisite design and subtle sense of style. Until the 60s of the last century, this industry mainly produced classic chandeliers, sconces and suspensions. But between the 1960s and 1980s. there was a powerful surge of interest in contemporary art, and from that time on, glassblowers began to create modern lamps from multi-colored Murano glass.
They are executed in almost all artistic directions and are liked by the public no less than the generally recognized classics. It was here that post-modernist chandeliers appeared in the style that is called "memphis" and stands out for the brightness of colors and unique geometric shapes. Renowned post-modern designers such as Mario Botta and Aldo Rossi were recognized. They create table lamps, sconces and floor lamps for the Artemide brand.
Another striking trend was the anti-design style characteristic of Italian artists, full of irony and experimentation. The second name of this style is kitsch, and its distinctive feature is the mixing of uncombined colors, textures and materials, catchy appearance and installation of lamps in the most unpredictable places.
For those buyers who are not inclined to experiment with style, beautiful lamps are created in almost all areas of modern design. These are minimalism, hi-tech, organic design, pop art, and art deco.
… These styles cannot be called an Italian invention, but the masters of Venetian glass fill them with fresh ideas, mixing them with classical traditions and technologies of different eras.
The most famous in these areas are the lamps created for the brands Flos, Axo Light, Fabbian Illuminazione and Foscarini.
And of course, at all times the cult Venetian classics are appreciated, the hallmarks of which are luxury and elegance. Suspended and horizontal chandeliers with up to sixty elements, made in full accordance with ancient traditions, are accepted all over the world as a synonym for comfort and well-being.
Trendy colors
For restaurant and hotel owners in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates or Los Angeles, who want to impress their guests, it is no coincidence that they choose lamps from Italy. Murano glass manufacturing technology allows you to play with color and blotches, and this, in turn, leads to the creation of chandeliers of all kinds of color shades. In modern interiors, zoning with colored lighting is encouraged - from traditionally yellow light to green and purple.
This trend in interior design is actively supported by Italian lighting manufacturers who create masterpieces from colored glass.
The advent of LED lamps gave a new surge of imagination for artists, thanks to the ability to reduce the size of the lamp, beautiful creations of white, red, gold and even black were born, illuminating the room thanks to the small lights at the ends of the horns. Such lamps are produced by the world-famous workshop of Lu Murano, each of whose works is exclusive and adorns boutiques and concert halls.
For a home interior, you can purchase a more modest, but no less attractive model, made in one of the traditional techniques. For example, a suspension chandelier with green or pink shades from the Sylcom brand or a ceiling lamp in the form of aquamarine and transparent ice floes from the Serip brand.
Sizes and shapes
In boutiques in Paris and London, Italian chandeliers are as popular as on the yachts of billionaires and movie stars. The reason for this popularity is not only in quality and style, but also in the variety of choices. Traditional Italian-made carob chandeliers are still in demand, but they have been significantly replaced by new forms and types that have a non-standard presentation.
Ceiling lamps are usually small in height, they are designed for use in rooms with low ceilings and help to visually increase the height of the walls. The average dimensions of such a luminaire are 520 mm by 150 mm. This shade can contain up to 10 halogen or LED lamps. The lampshade can have all kinds of shapes and colors, depending on the style.
Such a modern shape of the luminaire, like a suspension, was created in order to adjust the height and change the direction of the light flow. In this way, the suspension is fundamentally different from the chandelier. Their size and shape are determined solely by the imagination of the master. There are no clear restrictions or traditions in the performance of these luminaires. As a striking example, we can imagine designer pendants from Barlas Bailar, made of nickel-plated chains, draped like silk.
Chandeliers can be single-tier, two-tier and three-tier. Usually, single-tier chandeliers are used to illuminate living quarters, while more complex structures decorate halls, offices, salons and concert halls.
The size and weight of the chandelier, the number of candlesticks or shades and tiers are determined by the taste and requests of the owners.
An important point when choosing a large chandelier will be the bearing capacity of the building's ceiling beams, because the weight of some chandeliers can reach 100 kg. Chandelier shapes are very diverse. Flat products "infinity" look very impressive. Among the works you can find large fire-shaped chandeliers, asymmetrical flowers and even swan-shaped lamps.
Floor lamps, sconces and table lamps are usually part of collections that include a chandelier, shade and suspension. All these lamps are made in a single style solution, which allows you to decorate the room as harmoniously as possible.
Buying all the lighting fixtures within the selected collection, the owner does not have to worry about their compatibility - this issue has already been resolved thanks to the exquisite taste of the Italian designer.
Brand overview
Today there are more than 40 brands producing Italian lighting fixtures. The collections in their catalogs are updated every year, the latest trends and original devices are offered to the buyer at the same time as the classic models. The most famous brands in our country are:
LightStar manufactures all types of lighting equipment, including Murano glass ceiling shades of various pastel colors, elegant small pendants and sconces, as well as chandeliers made in a classic or techno style and resembling a weave of wires. Also interesting are the floor lamps and table lamps of this brand, made both in the art deco style and in the classics
Reccagni angelo represents the style of elegant classic Italy, it gravitates towards white, diluted with stains of transparent glass. The familiar traditional shapes of chandeliers, shades, sconces and table lamps are combined with brass and aged bronze
St luce offers all types of lighting fixtures, including backlights and table lamps, made in hi-tech, modern, art deco and provence styles. A distinctive feature of this particular brand can be called the absence of shades on many chandeliers, in this case, candle-shaped lamps are intricately decorated with metal chains, leaves and pendants made of crystal crystals
Odeon ligh in their collections, they strictly follow the canons of the techno style, decorating geometric shades with multifaceted crystals, which are fixed on chrome-plated arcs located horizontally. Crystal can be either transparent or multi-colored; fittings usually have a shiny chrome finish
Vitaluce The trademark of her brand is an unusual chandelier, in which shades replace wine glasses. Many lamps of this brand are made in this Art Nouveau style, but not all. Wall sconces and small pendant chandeliers in the style of floristry, which resemble bouquets of graceful flowers in pastel shades, are unexpectedly delicate and thin outlines
Ipe Cavalli Brunilde produces designer lamps, these are elite interior decorations, made in a luxurious art deco style. The forms of the decor are recognizable and unique, among them there is a stylized woman's hand with a coffee cup or just plafonds in the form of a cup and a coffee pot. For connoisseurs of the classics, we offer multi-tiered crystal structures made to order
Masiero - these are exquisite chandeliers, floor lamps and sconces made of glass and crystal, with shades of the traditional "Damascus" shape, which are decorated with waterfalls of sparkling pendants. Crystal of various colors, gilding, organza shades allow you to create luxurious classic lamps. In parallel, the designers offer chandeliers and sconces made of durable white plastic with high light reflection characteristics
Axo light produces exclusive ceiling lamps and sconces in the Art Nouveau style, recognizable due to the unconventional elongated shape of pendants, reminiscent of silhouettes of fish or twisted icicles. Red, silver, gold, orange and even black, they are made of two-layer Murano glass and can be arranged in tiers on long thinnest metal threads. Also, a distinctive feature of this luxury brand is the shade-glasses with long legs without bases
Beautiful examples in the interior
Considering the unusual and stylish design lamps, first of all it is worth mentioning the masterpieces of the LU Murano workshop, created thanks to the talent of the maestro Fabio Fornasier. They are called divine chandeliers, unique creations, and they certainly are. It is a modern Art Nouveau style combined with the traditional craftsmanship of the island of Murano
These chandeliers have no analogues, they resemble either lotus flowers or coral branches. The graceful glass petals are topped with LEDs, whose lights are reflected in shining glass made using a unique technology.
Such a chandelier can be of different sizes, it will decorate both the hall of a chic hotel and a medium-sized living room. The main conditions that are necessary for such a decoration to look harmonious are the presence of high ceilings and free space that allows you to admire the lamp from some distance.
A modest chandelier from this master glassblower costs around 55,000 rubles, for the most interesting works the price is indicated on request.
Any Italian chandelier can add style and charm to a room, no matter what size it is. For low ceilings in the living room, flat "infinity" chandeliers or pendants are suitable. For example, in the living room, made in cold gray and white tones, two suspensions near the wall, made of sparkling crystal, shimmering and sparkling like a waterfall, will be a good addition. Techno-style furniture, for example, sofas and armchairs made of white leather on chrome-plated metal bases, will be a worthy framing for lamps, which, of course, perform a solo part in this interior
- You can buy a beautiful Italian chandelier in the bedroom, in the nursery, and even in the kitchen. The main thing is that the ceiling height allows and the lamp fits into the overall design of the room. For example, in a bedroom decorated in a rustic or Art Nouveau style, a classic carob chandelier with candle lamps, decorated with milky glass pendants and chains will look appropriate. To enhance the effect, its metal parts can have the appearance of aged bronze or gilding. A bed with a metal frame, also decorated in antique style, will create a harmonious ensemble with a lamp.
- An unusual lamp, about which we can say that it comes from the underwater world and resembles an accumulation of algae, is also suitable for a bedroom, but it will give the room a completely different mood. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the chandelier, which is expressed in the interweaving of glass tubes, it creates a play of light and shadow in the room, emphasizing the intimacy of the room.
- The choice of a chandelier for a nursery largely depends on the age and gender of the child. For cute little princesses, the Italian classics with white shades, harmoniously complemented by furniture covered with white lacquer, pastel shades of wallpaper and canopies over the bed, are suitable.
- Boys will be interested in loft and high-tech lamps, which will emphasize the dynamic lifestyle of the owner of the room. An advantage when choosing a chandelier for a teenage boy's bedroom will have those models that will create a directed stream of light at his will.
In the video below you can see interesting ideas for Italian lamps in various interiors.