All that glitters

There was a time when you could buy a shabby-chic chandelier and make any room look a bit glam, but then B&Q brought out cheap approximations, and suddenly chandeliers lost their sparkle. For the past couple of years we’ve been in a light wasteland, with little to choose from but boring spotlights and retro reissues such as those space-age Sputnik lights.

Now there is decent lighting at the end of the tunnel, and, because of recent renovation works, I’ve done a lot of research into the subject. My first call was to the trend-spotter extraordinaire Abigail Ahern, who has just imported designs by the sculptors Anne Freisz and Laurent Poumarat. Designs such as their electric-blue chandelier crafted out of papier-mâché (above) scream future classic.

For new European and international designs, Cameron Peters is a one-stop shop. BSweden’s Konfetti is a personal favourite: it’s a random cluster of mini disco balls, by the all-female quartet Front. The 14 Series pendants, by Omer Arbel for Bocci in Canada, are equally seductive. A series of single drops of ridged glass with a light source3 embedded, they hang in groups of 26, producing an effect that is like a mini Milky Way. Nora de Rudder opts for an organic look with mussel shells linked together in traditional chandelier shapes, and Jess Shaw is about to unveil a groovy beluga caviar-inspired light piece.

Of course spotlights are safer, but I’d rather eat my hair than succumb to that ceiling acne.

Atelier Abigail Ahern; www.atelierabigailahern.com. Cameron Peters; www.cameronpeters.co.uk. Jess Shaw; www.jessshaw.com

Tray chic

It's well worth dropping in to Liberty this month. New in are traditional Japanese kimono-print side tables by the Royal College of Art graduate Kazuhiko Tomita. The sumptuous colours and intricate patterns evoke Japan’s bright tea houses, brothels and theatres. On a more practical note, the table top can be detached to be used as a tray. They’re superchic and will increase your home cred at least 30-fold in the blink of an eye.

From £275; www.liberty.co.uk.

Fly buys: The best bright lights

1 Aline Johnson’s statement chandeliers stopped me in my tracks at Cockpit Arts’ recent open studio. Gorgeous oversized moulded-glass feathers are used to create uber-glam translucent, two- or three-tier chandeliers. Table lamps from £275, chandeliers from £950; www.alinejohnson.co.uk.

2 If you jumped on the chandelier trend early and already have a trad one festooning your living room, there’s no need to worry. Even the old-school crystal maestro Baccarat is updating the look with some deliciously funky plume pendants in rainbow colours. Just hang them from your fitting and get an instant fresh twist you can change according to mood. £26 each; www.baccarat.com.

3 Sterling Lights has the sparkliest selection of modern designs, including the particularly glittery Cosmo Grand. It looks like a dandelion clock, but with Swarovski crystals. Price on application; www.sterlinglights.com.

4 Tom Dixon’s copper pendant has been around a while, but it still oozes glamour. Hang in neat lines in larger rooms or cluster at different levels. £155; www.tomdixon.net.

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