Get the look: Art Deco-style wall lights

 

Art Deco design never goes out of style – and wall lights are a brilliantly simple (and affordable) way to get the look into your interiors...

Art Deco ruled the world in the 1930s, disappeared after the War, had a revival in the 1960s... and has never really gone out of style since. It’s one of the most instantly recognisable of all design movements: geometric shapes, stylised figures, symmetrical patterns and preferably, luxurious materials. If you love a bit of Art Deco and want to get some into your home decor (but it’s not practical to turn your sitting room into an opulent flapper-era hotel ballroom), then lighting is the perfect way to do it. Art Deco-style wall lights are affordable, subtle yet can also be stunningly transformative. Put some of these beauties around the home and in no time you’ll be swanning around like Baba Beaton in Syrie Maugham’s white room… Here’s a buyer’s guide.

 

Baba Beaton, photographed by her brother, Cecil, in Syrie Maugham’s party room at 213 King’s Road. Image credit

The alabaster effect

 

Roly wall light in antique brass with an alabaster tube. Best for mellow alabaster light 

There is no more mellow glow than soft light through alabaster – and that marble-like veined white colour is as Art Deco as it gets. It’s a gorgeous material for wall lights, and each piece of alabaster is unique: some have strong veins running through them, others are smoother and more monochromatic. Pooky have two alabaster wall lights in the Art Deco mode. The Roly is an alabaster tube set in antique brass, while the Gatsby wall sconce is very striking geometrical Cubist design: a square of alabaster on two symmetrical brass squares on a brass circle... Either would be perfectly at home in the stateroom of a 1930s ocean liner.

 

Gatsby wall sconce in brass with alabaster square. Best for a seriously stylish Art Deco statement

Glamorous glass rods

 

Long roddy ip44 wall light in brass with glass rods. Best for bathroom indulgence

Elongated shapes, straight lines, exaggerated geometry...combine that with dazzling glass and light effects and you’re in Art Deco heaven. The Long Roddy is a Pooky take on a period classic - indeed, something of an upgrade. It uses two bulbs for a spectacular glow – and it’s IP rated so you can use it in any room, including a (decidedly glamorous) bathroom.

Adaptable Art Deco

 

Elbow wall light fitting in chrome. Best for interior design flexibility

Another option for subtly introducing some Art Deco style onto your walls is to go for a fitting that can be used with multiple shades - such as the super slick Elbow. With its concentric circles and profoundly pleasing angles you can match it with a huge range of shade styles, and you can point it up or down. It comes in two sizes and a choice of colours including silver, antique brass, as well as an IP44 version that can be used in wet rooms. Above we’ve paired the chrome version with the Cecilia ceramic shade but if you do a search on Elbow you can see the myriad options open to you.

 

Elbow wall fitting IP44 in chrome (detail) - suitable for bathrooms

Art Deco outside

 

Curlew IP44 all light in antique brass. Best for outside light

For those who want to set the Art Deco scene before even entering the house, then a stylish outdoor wall light is the thing. Pooky’s Curlew reproduces those classic Art Deco concentric rings in a durable, solid brass light. For sheltered porches (or bathrooms if you want to bring it inside) go for the IP44 rated version, and for less sheltered locations use the IP65.

And if you like those…

...then you’ll also want to check out some of our Art Deco inspired table lamps, chandeliers and mirrors. Such as...

 

Browse Pooky’s affordable designer wall lights here.

See also: Classic interior design styles and how to light them – Art Deco Get the look: Art Deco lighting The History of Design in Table Lamps – 3. Art Deco