Go-to Gold: Lighting Designer Guest Post

In honor of Gold Notes' second anniversary this month, I've invited colleagues to share their own favorite Go-to design product sources. The first designer I asked is lighting pro Vicky Lodge of VML Design & Lighting. Vicky is a regular contributor on lighting topics for Gold Notes and a great friend, too. Here is her Go-to Gold list for top-notch lighting fixtures...


Lodge on lighting

Being in the lighting business for over 30 years, I've come across some great and not so great products. During my career I have had the pleasure of working at a few different lighting showrooms and, therefore, have had the opportunity to install fixtures for display. Because of that, I know how numerous fixtures are manufactured and how they are to be assembled for installation.

With that in mind, I give you my list of what I think are well-made, well-designed fixtures that are easy to maintain and clean, are a good value and are straightforward in their installation requirements.


Hubbardton Forge

My all-around favorite fixtures come from Hubbardton Forge. This company manufactures American-made, hand-forged fixtures that out shine (no pun intended) the others. There are different finish options, glass or shade options and they are also able to customize most of their existing fixtures or can create an entirely new fixture.

The Ondrian Pendant from Hubbardton Forge blends quality and contemporary style

Justice Designs

If you want the natural look of stone, but don't have the budget for actual alabaster, try Justice Designs. They use alabaster dust to create their LumenAria Collection, so, in essence, they are alabaster, (but at a fraction of the price). For a realistic burning candle affect, check out Justice Designs' CandleAria Collection. The shades are actually resin but the uneven tops and recessed socket gives the burning candle appearance.

Alabaster dust gives Justice Designs' LumenAria Collection affordable elegance

Arroyo Craftsman

For mission, bungalow or Craftsman style fixtures, the leader, in my opinion, is Arroyo Craftsman. They have several finish and glass options, and some fixtures are made out of real wood.



Dragonflys & Co

For unique, organic, Nouveau style fixtures see Dragonflys & Co. Their glass is Italian-made and the designs of the metal have a natural earthy feel.

Ethereal charm embodied in Dragonflys & Co's Exa 23/10 chandelier

Oggetti Luce

For hand-crafted Italian art glass pendants, sconces, chandeliers, etc. there is nothing like Oggetti Luce. The colors are vibrant and the size and proportion of this line make the fixtures impossible to ignore.

Gotta love Oggetti Luce's Amore Italian glass chandelier

Holtkoetter

For contemporary, Holtkoetter is one of my favorites. These are fine German-engineered fixtures. Most styles are available in different finishes and have multiple glass shade color and shape options. They also have traditional chandeliers and sconces.

Holtkoetter's 2980 bath sconce brings light and luxury to the 2980 bath sconce