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Shades of Tiffany: Timeless Art Meets Modern Craftsmanship
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The Enduring Beauty of Art Glass in Lighting Fixtures
When it comes to articulating your personality or evoking an interior design essence that is either awe-inspiring or delicately exquisite, no other lighting solution can compare to the form and function of glass art lighting fixtures.
Just as fashion trends come full circle throughout the generations, it’s no surprise that a similar trend continues among homeowners who again are discovering the nature-inspired Art Nouveau appeal of Tiffany-style stained glass lamps, or the timeless symmetrical art glass lighting inspired by the Arts and Crafts, and Art Deco movements.
While the chance of discovering a Christie's-worthy, Louis Comfort Tiffany heirloom in your grandmother’s attic is slim to none, there is no shortage of reproduction art glass lamps that incorporate lush colors, turbid seeding, or gradient-colored fused glass into historical and modern designs.
Since 1902, Louis Comfort Tiffany lamps have evoked an ethereal sense of wonder and elegance seemingly unmatched by any other art movement. And while the price of an original Tiffany lamp is well out of reach for most, the ability to find high quality Tiffany- and Mission-style table and floor lamps can be attained through quality lighting manufacturers who have perfected the stained glass techniques, yet remain true to the craft and intricate designs of Tiffany and Clara Driscoll, or the clean geometric shapes immortalized by the Arts and Crafts movement and regarded by Frank Lloyd Wright.
When compared to an original LC Tiffany lamp, reproduction lamps from Dale Tiffany or Meyda Custom Lighting not only retain the mystical beauty and timely appeal of high quality Tiffany lamps, but have perfected the technology and durability used to create exquisite replicas that are well within reach.
Reproduction Art Nouveau or Arts and Crafts lighting fixtures from high quality lighting manufacturers such as Elk Lighting, Feiss, or Lite Source are inspired by original designs that include the transparent, opaque, or pearlescent-coated stained glass designs that made Louis Comfort Tiffany famous.The new creations ignite rich hues and depth of color through use of metal and copper foil construction instead of lead, as well as incorporate the design of the lamp into the cast metal base which minimizes the risk of tipping.
Yet unlike their costly legacy counterparts, reproduction Tiffany lamps—in addition to modern glass shade lighting fixtures that exude a more contemporary flair— add the durability of modern firing techniques and environmentally friendly scratch- and UV-resistant finishes to extend their durability as well as their beauty.
The Emotional and Functional Effects of Tiffany-style Lighting
Art glass speaks to our soul, and gives us the ability to extend part of ourselves into our home and personal spaces. The selection of stained glass lamps and glass pendant lighting designs of today are certain to whet the appetite of any taste, whether one wishes to remain true to an art movement, or inject a modern allure into a timeless classic.
Even still, as the trend of artfully blending different architectural styles is on the rise, Tiffany-style and Mission-inspired lamps, glass pendant lights, and outdoor lighting fixtures have continued to gain popularity among homeowners who have renovated their home within the past three years.
Lighting fixtures with glass art shades provide many options, and no matter your personal preference, the illuminated glass art captures attention and evokes an elegance that fabric shades cannot provide.
When selecting glass shaded lighting fixtures or pendant lights, consider the lighting effect of the glass shade. If you wish to maximize light and create dancing colors, transparent fused or kiln-formed glass pendant lights are the popular choice to let light shine through.
Bear in mind that Tiffany- and Mission-style, or Mica lamp shades are much heavier and thicker than standard fabric shades, and closed at the top which will direct the light downward. In addition to downward cast light, the artful design of the lamp shade will also soften the light and diffuse the light emitted from the shade, making Tiffany-style lamps perfect for intimate social gatherings. These functional factors are of great benefit to those seeking a lamp for reading or socializing, and without having to increase the amount of ambient light. This makes reproduction Tiffany lamps ideal for use in the den, office, entry way, living room, or bedroom.
Glass Art Lighting with a Modern Twist
In addition to perfected techniques in craftsmanship and durability, many Tiffany-inspired lamps and glass shade lighting fixtures now incorporate LED lighting into their designs that, unlike fluorescent or incandescent bulbs that create too much heat or created issues with color, make it possible to enjoy the beauty of the art glass without natural outdoor light.
Meyda Custom Lighting of Yorkville, New York is a longstanding stained glass lighting manufacturer that has perfected the use of LED lighting into the world’s largest LED stained glass chandelier for the Stanley Theater in Utica, New York. The impressive chandelier is 35-feet wide, 11-feet tall, and weighs in at more than three tons. The grand chandelier was uses the same advanced technology and artisanship for which Meyda is known, and employs in all of its lighting solutions for the home market.
Moreover, the use of Tiffany-inspired lighting fixtures is not confined to the interior of your home. There are numerous styles and options to create the elegant and subdued lighting effect throughout your outdoor landscape or your home’s exterior. Many of these outdoor lighting styles incorporate opalescent or semi-opalescent glass shades and metal work to create the Mission-style geometric designs, but are crafted of marine-grade materials that are weather-resistant (like brass and copper) to endure harsh outdoor climates.
Tiffany-, Mission-, or Art Deco-style Lighting in Your Home Décor
With no shortage of inspiration from either the timeless historic designs or modern versions of Tiffany lamps that use art glass in new ways, there is no limit to the style, brand, or function of a Tiffany-inspired lighting fixture to compliment your home décor.
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