Prepare yourselves for lighting overload!
Okay, yeah. So I didn't physically attend Lightovation. Someday. It's on that great list of major things to do in life, but it's just not worked with my schedule and life circumstances yet. However, I do have some great industry friends and follow a lot of amazing lighting showrooms and other buyers that do attend. This post took a lot to compile. I don't know if I'll ever go quite this in-depth again because it almost verged on stressful keeping things straight, but it was really just a learning experience and something different to try for the blog. In the future I might keep it to some more specific favorites. For now, I'll begin with overviews of some favorite brands, then I'll move into some of the more specific categories and trends that are showing up this year.
I'm kicking it off by talking specifically about one of my all-time favorites in the lighting industry: Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting. This line launched at the last Lightovation Market, and it instantly caught my attention because it's so classic, yet consistently on the cutting edge. I personally enjoy a great variety of styles and decor fashions, but few resonate with me nearly as much as Midcentury Modern. Mitzi really embodies the form and function aspects of Mid-Mod design, great restraint and simplicity, but made in a really current and accessible way. It's also an amazing product at Hudson Valley's high standards, but at more attainable price points. You could call it a budget line in comparison, but the products are far from being budget quality. This year from Mitzi, we're seeing a new burst of color. The original launch remained very monochromatic, sticking to a variety of metallics and basic painted finish combinations. These new colors are so pretty, and really amp up the fun aesthetic that Mitzi is playing into.
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
My favorite from what I've seen so far is Kiki. Available in a couple sizes, these colorful pendants are so flexible and decidedly Mid-Mod. Very simplistic, but Mitzi is so incredibly skilled at artfully implementing metallic elements with their painted finishes. These pendants have nickel or brass accents, which elevate the design to an entirely new level.
 |
| Image via @alisonandcompany Instagram featuring Mitzi |
Here are some more introductions featuring Mitzi's new colorful finishes, and again that subtle mixing of metallics with paints. The interior metallics of Avery are an ingenious application, and the solid color Leigh cages are singularly unique with an interior metallic candelabra. Carly is so fun with the spiral surrounding a simple shade, and plays into the spiral trend that I'll cover later on.
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @lightopia_ Instagram |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
Concrete has been seeing a surge of popularity as a material in lighting. It's a neat concept and the fixtures I've seen in the past are very cool, but it took someone like Mitzi to win me over on it. I absolutely love these pieces I've seen from the line. Leave it to Mitzi to combine a metallic with concrete, it's so good!
 |
| Image via @alisonandcompany Instagram featuring Mitzi |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
On the topic of top faves, shall we talk Fanimation? I've heard an abundance of information about what's new, and there is some really exciting stuff happening. Many of the major updates are expansions to existing lines. The Odyn and Stellar lines are being expanded to offer more sizes, and new portables are available, including a couple more USB options.
 |
| Image via @alisonandcompany Instagram featuring Fanimation |
 |
| Image via Fanimation |
 |
| Image via @amberslighting Instagram featuring Fanimation |
 |
| Image via Fanimation |
One new model is, in concept, an expansion to the Zonix line. But by the same token, it's entirely new. Torch is essentially a five blade Zonix, also with an integrated uplight. I was not sure if I was going to like this when I first heard of the concept, but it really is stunning. The uplight takes this over the top for me, I've been so eager to see the potential of uplights on fans of this more streamlined style. LED technology is making entirely new things possible, and this is just the beginning of what we could see going forward.
 |
| Image via @alisonandcompany Instagram featuring Fanimation |
How about another favorite that I haven't even experienced in person yet?! Modern Forms, a division of WAC Lighting, has launched their new line of ceiling fans. These fans are a revolution in the industry. They are all DC motor. Those that have a light are all LED-based. They are all indoor/outdoor rated. They all feature smart technology to integrate with your smart home. They all operate using advanced control technology that WAC is known for. All you have to do is pick the design and finish that you love, everything else is universal! There is nothing quite like this on the market. Also to take into consideration: this is a huge launch for a new line. Usually brands just getting into fans do a relatively modest initial release, but Modern Forms is here with over two dozen differing models available in various finishes and combinations. Truly a game-changer in the market of high end ceiling fans. I very much hope to work closely with Modern Forms to represent these stunning fans at Vintage Fans & More.
 |
| Image via @lightingdecormag Instagram featuring Modern Forms |
Here are just a few featured from the introductory lineup, I made these images with the model names to post on my social media accounts so I apologize for the excess usage of the logo haha!
 |
| Image via modernforms.com |
 |
| Image via modernforms.com |
 |
| Image via modernforms.com |
 |
| Image via modernforms.com |
 |
| Image via modernforms.com |
Modern Forms also offers an amazing selection of forward-thinking lighting. They use LEDs in uniquely innovative ways, truly altering the landscape. These Kinetic orbs are among my absolute favorites, as each individual ring can be fully adjusted to any position, creating endless possibilities and ensuring a unique installation every time.
 |
| Image via Lauri Patterson on Lightovation App |
Kichler's ceiling fans have grown to be some of my absolute favorite on the market today. While their 2018 fans were unveiled awhile back, I wanted to cover a couple that I love here. New releases were relatively minimal at Kichler this year, but Phree and Kyte are both models that I really love. Modern simplicity, no frills, just really excellent design at a superior quality.
 |
| Image via Kichler Lighting |
 |
| Image via Kichler Lighting |
Moving along into some of the trends and common features; as has been typical in recent years, fixtures with visible bulbs meant to feature unique bulb styles are continuing in popularity. The difference I'm starting to see is it's becoming less about having a bare bulb just for the sake of featuring an Edison shape, and more about how the bulb can feature the fixture itself. Vintage style bulbs are fun, but I've been finding them just a little overdone in a lot of cases. These newer designs that allow the bulb to be seen, but don't make the bulb the end-all defining feature, are very refreshing and are bringing a lot of new interest to the bare-bulb arena of design.
 |
| Image via @troylighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @hudsonvalleylighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @benmarshallinteriors Instagram featuring Troy Lighting |
Mixed finishes have been up and coming for the last couple of years. Combining finishes is a great way to allow flexibility in decor and accessorizing. Metallics converging on one fixture form a cohesive unit. From there, you can either tie the fixture together with finishes you're already working with, or present multiple finishes as inspiration to branch out from while choosing how to accessorize. The possibilities with this are almost endless, and it really helps in taking the boring matchy matchy out of design. Rules are made to be broken!
 |
| Image via @corbettlighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Becky Cornelison on Lightovation App featuring Capital Lighting |
 |
| Image via @hudsonvalleylighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Artcraft Lighting Facebook |
 |
| Image via Quoizel Facebook |
 |
| Image via @et2lighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Artcraft Lighting Twitter |
In addition to mixed finishes, solid blacks and whites have been experiencing growth of their own. These options are a real return to basics, offering more design punch without getting too crazy with an added finish. Perfect for those ultra monochromatic spaces. Black/iron finishes are almost always consistently present, so I chose to feature some of the white fixtures here.
 |
| Image via @troylighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @troylighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Dianne Zito on Lightovation App |
 |
| Image via Dianne Zito on Lightovation App featuring Kichler |
'Fandeliers' (however you choose to spell it) have continued to grow in popularity. Funny how it's not a new concept, simply one making a comeback. Maxim Lighting introduced a couple models last year, and this year has added significantly to their lineup. Savoy House is another brand hugely into this concept, and we're seeing a first introduction from Access Lighting as well. I love the first option from Maxim here below.
 |
| Image via @lightology Instagram featuring Maxim/ET2 Lighting |
 |
| Image via @lumensdotcom Instagram story featuring Access Lighting |
 |
| Image via @maximlighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Jack Fleischer on Lightovation App featuring Savoy House |
Forms with high geometric influence are still coming in strong. This is nothing really new, however I'm seeing more complexity in the pattern and overall design. Simple concepts of shapes and symmetry, or asymmetry in some cases, are becoming even more dynamic. I think we're really taking a half step back from the basic spherical orb that has flooded the market, and finding something new in what other forms have to offer. Even the new orbs are implementing other shapes within to keep it very fresh.
 |
| Image via @motivated_sales_associates Instagram featuring Matteo Lighting |
 |
| Image via @eurofase Instagram |
 |
| Image via @alisonandcompany Instagram featuring Corbett Lighting |
 |
| Image via @corbettlighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Eurofase Twitter |
 |
| Image via Kichler Lighting Facebook |
 |
| Image via DVI Lighting Twitter |
 |
| Image via @1stoplighting Instagram story featuring Craftmade |
 |
| Image via @idlewoodelectric Instagram story featuring ET2 Lighting |
 |
| Image via Elk Lighting Twitter |
 |
| Image via @springfieldelectriclighting Instagram featuring Tech Lighting |
 |
| Image via @living_lighting_inc Instagram story featuring Eglo |
 |
| Image via @walkerandwillis Instagram featuring Hinkley Lighting |
 |
| Image via @varaluz Instagram |
 |
| Image via Tech Lighting |
 |
| Image via @lightology Instagram story featuring Craftmade |
 |
| Image via lightsunlimitedinc Instagram featuring Craftmade |
 |
| Image via @varaluz Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @lightology Instagram featuring George Kovacs |
 |
| Image via @brandjump Instagram story featuring Varaluz |
 |
| Image via Jack Fleischer on Lightovation App |
Going back to Mitzi's aesthetic, Midcentury Modern influence has been making a comeback across the lighting industry. Recent home decor trends have been aimed at reducing clutter and busyness, which is precisely what Mid-Mod ended up doing. Clean lines, high emphasis on sleekness. The return of brass and polished silvers to the forefront of design has really aided as well, these are finishes that relate directly back to metallics that were used heavily in the midcentury.
 |
| Image via @hudsonvalleylighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @thelightingwarehouse Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @hudsonvalleylighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Tech Lighting |
 |
| Image via @walkerandwillis Instagram featuring Hinkley Lighting |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @mymitzi Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @lightingunlimited Instagram |
 |
| Image via @quoruminternational Instagram |
At the same time, the forms that defined Midcentury Modern are also being reborn into entirely new concepts. Highly modernized Sputnik fixtures with jutting arms in super fresh finishes keep coming out every year, and only get better each time. LED technologies emit immense light output in a compact size, completely revolutionizing what is possible and allowing new evolution in this type of design.
 |
| Image via @stolzberg_associates_lighting Instagram featuring Kuzco Lighting |
 |
| Image via @springfieldelectriclighting Instagram featuring Tech Lighting |
In rather stark contrast to the geometrics and modern look, I've found a number of organic and natural looks coming out. This is really pretty refreshing, in my opinion. A lot of crisp looks with straight lines are present across every brand. These bits of imperfection and asymmetry straight from the world around us provide an escape from all the typical modernism and geometry. From clovers to crystals, these fixtures are sure to inspire.
 |
| Image via @corbettlighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @avenuelighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @corbettlighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @1stoplighting Instagram story |
 |
| Image via @1stoplighting Instagram story featuring Craftmade |
 |
| Image via Synchronicity Lighting |
 |
| Image via @hammertonlighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @zeevlighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @metropolitanlightingny Instagram featuring Eurofase |
 |
| Image via @creativelighting1926 Instagram featuring Crystorama |
 |
| Image via @synchronicitylighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @illuminatinginteriors Instagram |
 |
| Image via @living_lighting_inc Instagram featuring Corbett Lighting |
 |
| Image via @hammertonlighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @hammertonlighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via @living_lighting_inc Instagram |
Industrial is still going strong. There's not been a huge change in this category, however some of the industrial elements are starting to shift a little more transitional like the first island light from Capital. It's a little bit of an industrial influence, but it also implements the lantern look that is growing in popularity and a softer finish. There are also always new innovative and unique materials being used in this category, and mixed metals are making their way into these lineups as well.
 |
| Image via @capitalltg Instagram |
 |
| Image via Dianne Zito on Lightovation App |
 |
| Image via Sea Gull Lighting Twitter |
 |
| Image via Dianne Zito on Lightovation App |
Rustic/Farmhouse is still here to stay. There's such a huge market and popularity for this look right now, especially in an era of up-cycling and salvaging. Pieces of note here are the size and light kit additions to Quorum's Windmill fan, and Kichler's Reclaimed Wood collection. Again, I do feel that some of the designs are taking the rustic elements and putting them into a slightly more transitional form. The Windmill fan has really been that way from the start, there aren't too many spaces that it doesn't look awesome in. Kichler's new collection is a great example as well, with the rustic wood being paired with contemporary finishes or implemented into a more modern format. Kichler also released the Ahrendale fan for this year, which incorporates a rustic and slightly industrial look, also with a wood appearance.
 |
| Image via @alisonandcompany Instagram featuring Quorum |
 |
| Image via John David Finegan |
 |
| Image via @quoruminternational Instagram |
 |
| Image via John David Finegan |
 |
| Image via kichlerlighting.com |
 |
| Image via Kichler Lighting Facebook |
 |
| Image via kichlerlighting.com |
Hunter Fan Company has played with weathered wood finishes for years, but these new six blade fans from them feel particularly rustic-influenced to me. Something about the combination of finishes and the number of blades makes them fit into this category. I've really been loving Hunter's play with number of blades lately, it's cool to see a more residential six blade design from them.
 |
| Image via Hunter Fan Co. |
 |
| Image via Hunter Fan Co. |
Here are some more rustic looks that follow in the same concept of reclaimed wood.
 |
| Image via Dianne Zito on Lightovation App |
 |
| Image via @lightsunlimitedinc |
 |
| Image via @savoyhouselighting Instagram |
Something neat that I saw popping through in places were really cool psychedelic/multicolor/galaxy-looking finishes and glass. This is so much fun to see, I don't know where I would ever put the fan from Minka Aire, but it's so cool! It seems like such a 90s throwback, and I love it.
 |
| Image via @1stoplighting Instagram story featuring Minka Aire |
 |
| Image via Lightovation Facebook featuring Minka Aire |
 |
| Image via @betterlivingstore Instagram featuring Minka Aire |
 |
| Image via @denneyelectric Instagram story |
 |
| Image via Dawn Brock-Jones on Lightovation App featuring Craftmade |
As I mentioned back up with Mitzi, one other interesting thing I'll throw in that I noticed was a wide presence of spiral forms. They were showing up in styles across the board, from rustic to modern. Highly contemporary LED-based fixtures caught my attention first, then I started picking up on it in the other fixtures I was seeing. I'm really not mad at it. This can be very whimsical and fun, or it can add interest to what would otherwise be a very basic fixture.
 |
| Image via Dianne Zito on Lightovation App |
 |
| Image via @living_lighting_inc Instagram story featuring Kendal Lighting |
 |
| Image via Dawn Brock-Jones on Lightovation App |
 |
| Image via Michelle Plumley on Lightovation App |
Following here are some other assorted things I love that don't exactly fit with another category.
Emerson introduced the new Sweep Eco, it's the only new Emerson fan I've seen so far. I really like this design, I kind of get vibes of the popular Haiku fan from its shapes, but I like Emerson's execution of this even better. Very sleek and functional.
 |
| Image via Lighting & Decor Magazine |
I'm obsessed with the new Feiss Deep Abyss finish on their Patrice collection. It's a very unique faux that really does look like it's been sitting in an abyss for a few decades. Such a unique gray-whitewash kind of tone that would add immense texture to the beige-y gray interiors that everybody has been gravitating toward.
 |
| Image via @feisslighting Instagram |
 |
| Image via Feiss - Monte Carlo Twitter |
The Old Sparky light from Vermont Modern is so incredibly clever. With ability to be mounted on the wall or to sit on a table or desk, it looks like an old fashioned knife switch, but instead there are integrated LEDs that turn on when the handle is disengaged from the base. One of my favorite introductions, it's just so neat!
 |
| Image via @lightingdecormag Instagram |
 |
| Image via @lightingdecormag Instagram |
The Constellation collection from Sonneman is just incredible. Sonneman makes truly unmatched lighting systems, and I'm a big fan of everything they do. This customizable system is like nothing I've ever seen before, a real work of art.
 |
| Image via Slater Lighting Facebook featuring Sonneman |
 |
| Image via @lightopia_ Instagram featuring Sonneman |
Savoy House is known for pretty amazing window displays at Market. This year's was rather simplistic by comparison, but for me it had immense impact. I love the ceilings fans as propellers on the airplane. As a fan enthusiast, this was a super cool take on the vertical fans often seen in showroom windows.
 |
| Image via Jack Fleischer on Lightovation App |
That's the final wrap-up! If you made it all the way down here, congratulations haha! As I said in the beginning, I just wanted to play around with this as a blog topic. There were really no expectations, but it turned out to be a lot. I'll keep this brief since the post is already so long.
Thanks for reading. See you soon.
