Scotlight Blog

Key Lighting Trends for 2012

Last week we visited the Lighting Show at Interiors UK in the Birmingham NEC. As usual, they were showcasing the very best in British and international lighting design and the brand new lighting designs were attracting a lot of attention. As we persused the stands we kept our eyes peeled for the lighting trends that will shine bright in 2012 and here, we give you the lowdown.

The buzz word for lighting in the coming year is most definitely LEDs and because these lamps are so compact, the gorgeous designs achieved are a far cry from what has come before with incandescant and compact flourescents. The sizes, shapes and structures attained are innovative, highly stylish and because the technology is becoming more advanced, the lamps are much brighter.

Another mega lighting trend for 2012 is ‘Industrial’ and although this look has been gaining momentum in 2011 it has really come into its own for this year. This lighting is all about no-nonsense design with British practicality, which gives birth to an incredibly striking look that wont date as quickly as other trends. Look out for oversized, metal pendants and floor lamps that will make an effortless addition to your home.

Last year, it was all about the cool metals like polished chrome, silver and aluminium but this year they are making way for the Warm Metals of gold, bronze and copper. This year the designs are warmer, softer and more tactile with lots of texture, layers and crystals. There will be a wide range of light fittings available in ‘Warm Metals’, from chandeliers to wall lights and table lamps, which will add a touch of glamourous tranquility to your home this year.

The brand new products will be available on our website in the coming weeks and we will let you know as soon as they go live. These new lighting trends are exciting to say the least and 2012 is, without  a doubt, looking bright!

Links to products in middle image:
4301SS
EP50
3337BSWH
Links to products in bottom image:
SUD4235
COI4263
BAL4263
ALC4335
BOA4263
PIN4235

Posted in Scotlight Direct

Stunning New Saxby Bathroom Lighting

Saxby Lighting have launched the first edition of their Saxby bathroom lighting brochure and over the next few blog posts we will be bringing you information on the wide range of stylish and contemporary designs, helping you find the perfect lighting for your bathroom.

Firstly, we will be looking at some of the Saxby bathroom lighting collections and highlighting the key style elements which bring together the complementing products.

The Quattro range oozes luxury with the chunky clear and white painted glass emitting a gorgeous glow and all finished off perfectly in polished chrome. The flush ceiling fitting has ten 10w hi power cool white LED’s making this an ideal energy saving choice. There are also 3 styles of wall light, namely Cube, Curve and Arc. The smooth lines of these gorgeous bathroom lights will add instant elegance to your bathroom.

If its a glamorous design you have in mind for your bathroom then the Saxby Crystal Bathroom lighting range of ceiling and wall lights will definitely have the WOW! factor. The emphasis of this range is definitely on quality with each light fitting adorned with striking clear crystal columns and finished in polished chrome.

For the most contemporary bathrooms the Radius range has a beautifully modern appearance. The blend of strong lines and softened curves has real style appeal, with each of the ceiling light and two wall lights finished in polished chrome.

Saxby Lighting have certainly done a great job in designing high quality bathroom lighting which makes designing your bathroom and choosing the lights so much easier. See what other fantastic lights Saxby has to offer on our website.

Posted in Bathroom Lighting, Scotlight Direct, Suppliers

Illuminated Bathroom Mirrors

The illuminated mirror plays a very important role in the overall design of your bathroom and is an essential item that allows us to carry out our daily tasks of make up application, shaving and other grooming procedures. Scotlight Direct has an wide variety of good quality mirrors to complement your bathroom.

The Franklite FRN32EL double light mirror has a very attractive etched design which is lit up on both sides, top and bottom with low energy T5 lamps. The lights are turned on by a pull switch and there is a concealed shaver socket. This would make a very striking addition to your bathroom.

Illuminated bathroom cabinet mirrors provide convenient storage space which is sometimes lacking in a bathroom therefore they are a practical solution which looks great. The Dar FEN99 Fenton 2 light cabinet mirror has strips of light down both sides and comes complete with shaver socket making it an ideal choice.

For an LED option, the Dar ZOD98 Zodiac bevelled edge LED mirror has a very classy look. This mirror is switched, includes a shaver socket and comes complete with 20 bright long lasting LED’s down each side.

Adding that ultimate touch of class could not be easier with these sophisticated yet practical bathroom mirrors and as they come with low energy lamps you can retain energy efficiency in your home.

Posted in Scotlight Direct

Exciting New Lighting from Franklite!

Franklite have launched some fantastic new ranges and as usual the designs are stunning and of the highest quality.

The striking Cascatta Flush Ceiling Fittings are truly inspirational in design with a mass of crystal glass drops hanging from a polished chrome finish ceiling plate. Each fitting has a surround of faux leather, available in white or black, that is studded with tiny shimmering crystals. These lights are available as a square or circle and are suitable for dimming.

The Fusion range of Italian ironwork light fittings are available in an antique or pale cream finish with a subtle hint of hand painted gold and a gold finish curved relief bar across the arms. Each arm has a sparkling crystal glass sconce and lights are available with optional silk candle shades. There are 4 sizes of chandelier and a wall light to choose from.

For the bathroom, these substantial cast brass fittings, shown below, are finished in polished chrome and have gorgeous glossy opal glass spheres. This FL2257 range is traditional in design but the glossy sphere shades give a contemporary feel therefore crossing the design spectrum and making it easily adaptable to many interiors.

There are many more exciting new Franklite ranges now available on our website for your perusal. Go to the last few pages of Franklite to see the new items. Enjoy!

Posted in Bathroom Lighting, Scotlight Direct, Suppliers

Light Up Your Festive Dining Table

Over the festive period your dining table takes centre stage as your family and friends gather to eat, drink and be merry. But, creating the perfect festive atmosphere is not just about the tasty spread of food or the gorgeous linens and table decorations. The right overhead table light will play the most mood-enhancing part in your Christmas extravaganza!

A sparkling chandelier over your beautifully decorated dining table will create the right ambiance and by putting the chandelier or pendant on a dimmer you can have the ample task lighting as well as the ample amount of light for a pleasureable dining experience.

The Dar Charleston range has various sizes of chandelier, is available in an antique gold or cream gold colour finish and has a wall bracket to match. The chandeliers are height adjustable at installation and the 8 light is supplied with 100cm of chain and the 3 and 5 light are supplied with 50cm of chain. The intricate leaf detail, gold finish and gorgeous glass droplets have a real festive feel.

For a striking designer look the J H Miller Lya range has an air of ethereal beauty that will create an elegant centre piece to your room. It has a high quality twisted chrome design with delicate clear twisted crystal pendants dangling like icicles. The Lya 10 light pendant has a total drop of around 100cm which is height adjustable at installation. There is a table lamp, wall bracket and flush ceiling fitting to match.

A very general rule of thumb for the size of chandelier or pendant you require would be that it is 12”(30cm) narrower than the width of your table and that it hangs about 30”(75cm) above the table. This may vary depending on the height of your ceilings and the size of your table so your work out your own measurements before buying.

As well as the centre pendant, you should add layers of light with wall fittings and table lamps. This will create the overall balance of light required to illuminate your dining room.

Posted in Outdoor Lights

The Best in German Engineered Lighting

When it comes to the development of innovative lighting systems, German manufacturers are recognized internationally as the leaders, paying particular attention to product quality and energy saving lighting products. Paul Neuhaus and Wofi are two German lighting companies with expansive product collections, aimed at the widest consumer tastes with a broad range of contemporary styles from modern to traditional and everything in between. Here is our pick of some of the best lighting they have to offer.

The Paul Neuhaus B-LED range of spotlight fittings, table and floor lamps have a satin silver finish with glass rotatable heads. The very low energy LED lamps used in these products match perfectly with the modern and innovative design creating a most fantastic collection.

For those of you that are passionate about design, the Wofi Etana range is perfect as it really appeals to the senses. Each of the 1 wall and 3 ceiling lights are finished in polished chrome and have a grid like design. These low voltage lights would look brilliant in a modern, minimalist setting.

Another fantastic collection is the Paul Neuhaus Womble range which is finished in chrome and has striking wire spheres on the end of each stem. These lights are very popular and have an extensive choice from pendants, semi flush fittings, wall lights, table lamps and spotlights. Also, coming soon, is the Womble arc floor lamp with colour changing LED’s and also some Womble lights with pink spheres. So keep your eye on our website for these new products.

Wofi and Paul Neuhaus supply the very best in German engineered lighting so head to our website to see what other innovative and high quality lights they have to offer.

Posted in Bathroom Lighting, Scotlight Direct, Suppliers

Lanterns for Interior Lighting

Most commonly used outside as wall lights and lamp posts, lanterns are now being used for inside the home. You will often see them hanging in entrance halls, but they can look incredibly striking hanging above a dining room table, over a kitchen island or as your centre pendant in the kitchen or living room. A gorgeous lantern will really polish off the decor and stamp your personal style on a room. Available in various colour finishes like antique brass, polished chrome and cream/gold, there is something to suit everyones style.

The Oaks Fern lantern range is incredibly popular, is available in 4 colour finishes, various sizes and is very reasonably priced. The Fern 4 light hanging lantern is impressive and the 351/4 AN TIFF has tiffany glass that emits a gorgeous warm glow.

Made from Cast Brass the Dar Lambeth and Moorgate lanterns are available in antique and polished brass finishes and they have some lovely detailing and accents. They also have dual mounting pendants making them very versatile.

To give your home an elegant look the J H Miller Angel range of Oil Style Lanterns will look beautiful in the right setting. They are finished in wood and antique brass with stunning ornate detailing and come complete with white ribbed glass shades. These Italian made lanterns are truly exquisite and available as a wall lantern, ceiling pendant or table lamp.

Lanterns really evoke a feeling of nostalgia and they bring a real ambiance to a room. You will find lots of lanterns to delight in on our website.

Posted in Scotlight Direct

Give the gift of light this Christmas

Are you searching for a unique gift to give this Christmas? We have a fantastic range of light inspired gift ideas for that special someone on your Christmas present list. We have table and floor lamps, garden lights, lampshades and much more. Some of these lights may require installation but why not make this part of the gift and have the light installed for your loved one.

The hardest person to buy a well recieved gift for is the design aficionado and most of us have one of these people as a friend or relative. Their taste is impeccable and they always know about the latest design trend. Although this is definately a more considered purchase, the design conscious will love the Dar Himalaya HIM1850 ceiling pendant(shown in bottom image). The fitting is finished in polished chrome and Himalaya shades, to be purchased separately, are available in taupe, red, cream, string black and black with a metallic silver lining.

Table and floor lamps make a perfect gift and there is a bounty of modern, traditional, quirky and designer ones available.

These Diyas sparkling crystal table lamps, shown above, are in a gold finish that oozes glamour and opulence, making it the perfect gift for the classy glamourpuss on your gift list. Some of these are also available as floor lamps.

Endons range of gorgeous table lamps with metallic bases complete with coloured shades would work well in most interiors. The table lamps available in this style are Dahlia, Amaryllis, Fabiola, Wisteria and Saffron.

Does someone you know have a bare pendant hanging from their ceiling? A non-electric decorative pendant can be hung directly onto this and there are lots of options to choose from. We have a superb range of Tiffany Non-Electric pendants available in a variety of styles, sizes and colours. A particular favourite is the Oaks OT 25 Rose, which as the name implies, has a lovely, delicate rose detail on the glass.

So give the gift of light and have a bright and Merry Christmas!

Posted in Scotlight Direct

Illuminated Christmas Scenes and Figures

Christmas is a magical time and it is just around the corner. Its time to look out the decorations, turn on the Christmas CD’s and start making festive plans. If you are looking for something a little bit different to add to your decorations this year, turn your attention to the sparkling Christmas display lighting that we have to offer on our website.

The illuminated Christmas village and nativity scenes are very traditional in style and will add a touch of festive charm to your home. They have twinkling fibre optic lights that can also be put on static mode and some have moving parts to really captivate the children and visiting family and guests. These scenes will look great anywhere from the table, window sill or hearth.

An ideal feature to add to your home or garden this year is one of the adorable acrylic display figures. Choose between cute polar bears, playful seals, enchanting reindeers, a jolly snowman and an elegant penguin. Lit with LED lights, these figures are stunning when switched on and as they come with 5 metres of cable, they can be put safely in your garden.

An essential part of creating festive spirit is most definitely in the decorations so sprinkle some Christmas magic in your home with our fantastic Christmas lights.

Posted in Outdoor Lights, Scotlight Direct

Fantastic lights to brighten the dark nights

The clocks go back this weekend and as we ”fall back” into the winter months the darker nights draw in. The minute we get in from work the lights inside and outside the house are turned on. As the temperature drops outside, its time to cozy up for some intimate nights in and turn your home into a winter retreat. Here are some of our top lighting picks to warm up every room of your house.

David Hunt Lighting have a fantastic range of gorgeous table lamps and some have a very quirky edge. The new Kudu KUD4322 Table Lamp with resin Springbok Horns was inspired by the Great Plains of Africa, is finished in black and gold and comes complete with a black shade with a gold inner. This table lamp is absolutely stunning and would make a real statement in your living room.

One of the interior colour trends for Autumn/Winter 2011 is Pastels and Dar Lighting have a range that can help you add a touch of this soft, delicate and modern look into your home. The Osaka range of table and floor task lamps can be purchased with heads in a choice of colours – pink, blue, white and chrome – and they have a circular base with adjustable stem and head. These are highly functional but also very trendy.

For the bathroom, Franklite have some very glamourous crystal lights. Adding some sparkle to your bathroom will certainly help brighten up the gloomy nights. These Franklite Bathroom Chandelier style ceiling and wall lights have stunning crystals suspended from the polished chrome metal work and a glass tube encasing the lamp.

To make outside spaces glow and give life to dark areas the Firstlight 8750 Outdoor Wall Lights are a good unobtrusive option. Available in black or silver finish and made from Die Cast Aluminium, they have a simple design that will tie in with most gardens.

The dark nights can bring us down but you can embrace them with a thoughtful selection of lighting to enhance your home throughout the winter.

Posted in Outdoor Lights, Scotlight Direct, Suppliers