Help! Urgently need to choose hallway light

[LemonSwan]

Any lighting experts or those with naice taste around?

I need a light for the centre of a triple return staircase which leads to a first floor gallery landing. So kind of like a square staircase with the last bit the landing.

House is 30s but also a bit brutalist so thinking either Art Deco or going with the strong house vibes.

Chandelier with glass rods, or Art Deco style glass or a giant brutalist lantern or a more traditional brass chandelier with some glass. (Some pics below of examples of the above as apologise my descriptions leave a lot to be desired - seems describing lighting is an art form in itself lol 😂)

Totally lost! Please help.

I can only tell you what I like and don't like! I prefer the simple lantern style fitting, don't mind the first traditional chandelier but really dislike the Pooky one with the rods.

What's the decor like in the hallway? Any colours/artwork/soft furnishings?

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for late reply myself. Chaos ensued!

@GrubzUp Pooky light is out then! I love the big lanterns but haven’t found a favourite yet. Dp doesn’t like them. Quite like the traditional chandelier, it’s a bit grand for our style but the hallway is quite grand and think it will meld into the house and look in place.

@RewildingAmbridge The hallway is a blank canvas really. Currently we have a pink colour which is like setting plaster (it’s actually lighter LG masquerade series because setting plaster came out really dark for us - north facing and all whites/ neutrals looked really grey and not in a nice way). All over walls, picture rails, skirting.

Door is giant with a semi circle in the top. Colour tbc but potentially an off black as we have two small original crittals we have refurbed in black. White stairs, ceiling, radiator etc.

So in summary this super weird mix of 30s Modernism/ Art Deco features in the house and Edwardian face and room proportions/ ceiling height with original sashes. All original as the architect/ original build family wished.

Have you got a picture of the staircase itself?

I like the Pooky one (considered it for my own house!) but I was put off by the description of it being fiddly to install. It sounds like a real faff with too much potential for breakages.

I’d be worried the lantern will attract dust, spiders and moths and will always look a bit grungy. But I’m not the finest housekeeper, so maybe not an issue for less slovenly people.

what size is the traditional chandelier? It’s hard to tell from the picture.

Oh gosh yes I am slovernly! That’s the lantern out then. Yes let me take a picture.

I dislike the chandelier, love the pooky one and the lanterns - both sit well in a period surrounding but also look contemporary, if you know what I mean

I like the charlecote lantern…..

Love the Pooky one

Here’s the hallway. Sorry some midway through painting but you get the idea.

It has traditional black and white floor downstairs, then upstairs we have put a light beige carpet and runner.

The window dressings upstairs will be daylight roller in a neutral with a Roman blind fitted just under the picture frame to pretend the windows taller IYSWIM. Will also be changing the bulbs here from white to warm white as currently they bleach out the pink too much in this area.

Beautiful - where is the pendant going to actually land, and it looks like you have spots as well. Do you want it for lighting or for interest?

Size of the chandelier seems to be H min70 - max160 x Ø50cm

So still not exactly clear as the height seems to include the drop of the chain.

@PeppermintyPatty
The light is located centre into the void in the return. So that tiny square where the stairs return back on themselves.

This is more of a feature light but I do want it to give some light!

Interesting. I don’t think you need to stick faithfully to Deco, as the stairs are more towards the Edwardian. We have a similar aged house, I describe it as ‘sliding into Deco’

what about the Tiffany lamp style fittings?

I wasn’t happy with Pooky stuff, I asked lots of questions in advance on a particular light and the products weren’t right for the use I needed once electrician came - they’re like Oliver Bonas of lighting with the marketing and designs, but with lighting you really need more technical. The reviews on their Athena chandelier say it was hard to put together and they’re looking into re design. Just wanted to share my experience there.

Have you tried Facebook marketplace, I’ve seen Reno accounts on insta get great stuff there or on eBay locally. Real glass. Washed up and polished it looked amazing.

Is there an urgency to the decision? Lighting is an expensive choice to rush.

We got this one and it looks good. I was really worried it would look cheap/tacky at the price, but it looks good. www.argos.co.uk/product/9514449 It came with a really long drop. I know it might not be the style you want, but habitat/argos do other ones that you might like.

In other parts of the house we’ve fitted these which also come with a really long drop and then you could choose a cage or lantern pendant www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baldwin-pendant-ceiling-pendant-cord/antique-brass/p4031404

Practical consideration, I’d only go for a one bulb fitting because it is so annoying having to change just one bulb in an inconvenient location!

Sliding into deco! I like that 😄

Do you mean like this? I did look at the stained glass and thought might be interesting.

Does Tiffany refer to the staining or the shape. Sorry I really am a lighting novice!

If in doubt I would just fit a basic pendant fitting and wait for inspiration to strike - buy in haste repent at leisure is my motto after many years! It is very easy to get a litght switched once the fitting is in the right place.

That Tiffany pendant is really nice. I echo what @carefulcalculator says though about taking your time.

Thankyou @BakeOffRewatch I do really like that habitat one but I think DP will take some convincing. He’s scared of to grand but I think it will look normal in the house and you won’t notice it as such. It’s a really good price as well!

Honestly if left to my own devices we would have a bulb hanging from the ceiling for the next decade. I do sometimes need to be forced into deciding things. Awful for decision paralysis and then just ignoring it 🤣

You don’t happen to have a picture of yours in situ @BakeOffRewatch ?

I need to do some DP convincing I think to open his mind to a little grandeur 🤣

If too much trouble please don’t go out of your way though!

lovely staircase, strong Edwardian features. I think your traditional chandelier would look good there. If you want something more art deco, how about this one www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-athenea-chandelier-ceiling-light-smoke-clear/p3171941?s_ppc=2dx92700071707753261_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAiApvebBhAvEiwAe7mHSCoSRJbAumop08LOg1Xp79Zxk_XOLVawGaU3wOQ6YljCXG_IyT76oRoCB9kQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I love Tiffany lamps, I have a few myself as my late DF used to make them. But beware that the cheap, Chinese versions tend to have very uneven joints between the glass pieces. They do give a lovely light though.

Omg DP actually likes the johnlewis one @Yellownotblue and also the habitat one @BakeOffRewatch 🥳

Never would have guessed lol 😂

I will DM you a pic @LemonSwan . I love the John Lewis one @Yellownotblue , but didn’t feel ready to commit at that price. I felt the Habitat one was a good “entry-level” chandelier 😂

Ah sorry you can’t PM photos @LemonSwan and I don’t want to out myself with my living room