Lighting Trend: Clustering Pendants

West Elm

One of the most striking lighting trends at the moment is clustering.  Choose an odd number of pendants – three is a great starting point – and cluster them together at different heights to create drama. Choose either a family of pendants in different shapes, or the same pendant in different colors. This technique not only works well over a table (see West Elm’s Globe Pendants), but can also be used to create a nook in the corner of a room, or cascade down a stairwell to striking effect.

Dream Downtown

There’s no place that highlights the clustered pendant style like New York’s Dream Downtown Hotel. I’m in love with this hip, whimsical lower Manhattan hotel–from perforated metal walls to a multitude of round windows, the Dream Downtown is taking the clustered pendants look to a whole new level. Don’t miss the 1,800 sq ft roof terrace, attached to a 4,000 square foot indoor bar with glass floor-to-ceiling walls and decor reminiscent of 1980s excess.

Bocci 28 series

’28 series’ pendants by Bocci are designed to cluster in hexagonal shapes, which nestle into one another to create patterns . Standard ’28 series’ pendants are made with clear glass exterior spheres and milk white interior glass cavities. Custom 28 series pendants are possible with infinite versatility in colour compositions, sizes and shapes.

HGTV Home by Novogratz

Robert and Cortney Novogratz took on this design project to create an original space that showcases their funky, downtown-chic aesthetic, on their HGTV show Home by Novgratz. With a mix of current and vintage pieces and touches of bright colors, this home oozes style and perfection in every way. The modern rug and gold pendant lights (Tom Dixon copper pendants) that fill the lofty space are among my favorite things about this apartment.

West Elm

Another one of my favorite trends in modern lighting is the vintage and industrial chic look. Modeled from factory furnishings and rusty, exposed materials, industrial lighting reflects a bare, repurposed and utilitarian design.  West Elm’s Linear Blown Glass Pendants are created by blowing clear glass into a structured wire frame, for a lantern-like effect that glows softly and subtly when paired with vintage-style bulbs. This damp-location-listed fixture is great for porches and patios, but also works well indoors.

Pottery Barn

For generations, home gardeners have used canning jars to preserve the bounty of their harvest. Pottery Barn’s Exeter 16-Jar Pendant lighting fixture pays tribute to their industriousness. This mason jar chandelier is surprisingly one of the most elegant decorations I have seen.  You’d be surprised how modern it can look.