Lighting trends for 2010

According to Radiant Lighting global issues will guide choices this year.

Lighting trends for 2010 are emphasising how individual style choices are being framed by lifestyle, contemporary issues, mood and social attitudes. Rather than startling new trends coming to the fore, 2010’s lighting trends seem to be a maturing or deepening of the preferences we have seen developing over the last year.

This is according to Valerie Poyurs, Director of Marketing at the Radiant Group (Radiant), a South African lighting and electrical manufacturer and distributor. “Broadly speaking,” says Poyurs, “global trends for 2010 are everywhere characterised by a desire for quality and durability, uniqueness and handicraft, simplicity and reductionism, natural materials, and sustainable, eco-friendly lighting solutions.”

The issues and social attitudes driving these choices are global in their influence, she notes. Many point to the recent economic recession that has impressed on everyone the requirement for value and longevity of items. Then there is the increasing awareness of the need for sustainability, of the choices individuals must make as responsible world citizens to preserve the environment. This is coupled with the reaction of consumers wearied by overwhelming variety: rather than use and discard, the leaning is toward ‘reuse and reinvent’. This has further given rise to an increasing focus on classic, durable lighting solutions, with an emphasis on function and simplicity.

“This new sophistication is matched by a desire for ‘authenticity’,” says Poyurs. This need is satisfied according to taste, by the use of classic and traditional shapes beautifully crafted in metals and natural materials to the introduction of uniquely hand crafted, sometimes vintage items into personal environments.

Global trends

How does this translate into lighting choices? The Light and Building 2010 trade fair for architecture and technology, held from 11 to 16 April in Frankfurt, attempted to categorise the more important trends for the home for 2010/2011 into four themes. Internationally acclaimed design consultants from Bora, Herke of Frankfurt and Berlin analysed current trends and influences from the worlds of fashion and art, including exhibitions, trade fairs and publications, to define these themes.

They came up with the following:

Gentle Ease – an unpretentious, self-confident style with subtle contrasts in materials and a light, easy-going and natural approach to styling. Designs are clear and reductionist, with a predominance of natural materials, and are enlivened by delicate minimalistic patterns that draw their inspiration from nature. Wood, with an elegant, clear finish has a central role to play. There is also a less distinct, misty, diffuse, wintery light that provides a dialogue with the cool clarity of this scenario, a filtered light with a softening effect.

Contemporary Classic – nostalgic reminiscences of design classics and a timeless aesthetic meet a contemporary feel and modern clarity. The trend combines quality and tradition: this means the use of high-quality materials, top-quality, perfect workmanship with unostentatious, timeless design and understated luxury.

Creative Verve - unconventional and original lighting designs. It includes creative ideas, shabby chic, hand-made features, hints of traditional folk art and vintage styles.

Advanced Purism - futuristic design approaches and progressive use of materials that unites iridescence, coolness and metallic effects. Polygons, lattice structures and geometrical shapes are equally acceptable here, as are iridescent reflections and the superimposition of foils and optical kinesis. Chrome, silver, aluminium, polished or ultra fine ceramic surfaces are key features of the style

In an interview with cosmoworlds.com, a trend defining information site for the international trade community, designer Claudia Herke explains: "Running through all four styles, we perceive a growing awareness among consumers, as far as trends in the home are concerned, of lasting values, quality, individuality, credibility, emotional appeal and a desire to concentrate on the essentials. Significantly, this is leading to a changing pattern of consumer behaviour.”

Trends in SA

Does this hold true in South Africa? “Yes,” says Radiant’s Poyurs. “Radiant supplies lighting solutions to wholesalers and retailers, but also designs and installs high end solutions at large corporate and commercial buildings, hotels and lodges. The style and design preferences of these clients closely match trends we are seeing emerge strongly internationally.”

The seemingly broad divergence in styles, albeit very well defined styles, are a reflection of a new creativity among consumers in general - the desire to create environments and living spaces that meet personal, very individual requirements. “Today there is a greater crossover between, or merging of, functional lighting solutions and art,” says Poyurs. “This can be seen as much in the technology-driven lighting ranges like the light-emitting diode (LED) lighting options that are giving new meaning to the interplay of light and colour, as in the beautiful crafting being applied to more classic pieces, and the increased demand for more eccentric fittings.”

For instance, says Poyurs, it’s not surprising for a family room today to have no traditional central light fitting. Instead a dark ceiling and thousands of fairy lights may be employed to create a theatre-like experience.

Chandeliers, in particular, have caught the imagination of South Africans. Says Poyurs: “Chandeliers of all types and sizes, but especially those with crystals – from R1200 to R120 000 items – are in demand. People want luxury and grandeur, fantasy and romance, elegance and beauty and there is a surfeit of options available whether you prefer modern, classic, vintage or futuristic lighting and design.”

“What drives good, sustainable design, however, is the ability to layer light and create spaces that turn what was once a single-purpose room into a multi-functional area. This makes it easier to keep rooms ‘fresh’, as it merely takes the switching on or off of lights or the replacement of a small light to create a different ambience.”

For more information contact Radiant on: 011 386 0000 or visit the website: www.radiant.co.za