Lighting is one of the most important aspects of interior design. It can make a room warm and appealing, or undeniably harsh and uninviting. In addition to affecting the mood of our living spaces, lighting also plays a powerful role in communicating our personality and style. Check out the following HighCraft projects with wow-factor lighting fixtures.
INSPIRED BY NATURE
We recently installed three, one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures inspired by nature, including this metal chandelier (above) that hangs in a custom home stairwell in Fort Collins.
In addition to the stairwell fixture, this branch chandelier in the dining room (above) was also forged at IronGlass Lighting out of Bozeman, Montana.
The delicate pendant above this master bathtub was made from an actual tumbleweed by Utah artist Owen Mortensen, who describes his style as Organic Minimalism.
To learn more about this custom home project, explore our blog series “A New Build in Old Town.”
MODERN ART
Some lights have such incredible lines, and make such a powerful statement, we consider them works of art.
You might be surprised to find these stunning wooden pendants in the mudroom above a dog shower in this Fort Collins remodel. But what better way to leave and enter your home every single day, than to walk by these beauties? See more photos of this remodel HERE.
Lighting is elevated to an art form in this Loveland powder bathroom (above), where two curved blades of light are held by four linear suspension cables. Explore more photos of this contemporary custom home HERE.
Sleek, modern lighting plays a key role in this award-winning project north of Fort Collins. See more photos HERE.
When transforming the adjacent dining room into a Japanese art gallery, “Our trim carpenters had to think like gallery curators,” explains HighCraft’s Kira Koldeway. “To get it right, we worked closely with the clients to meticulously plan their gallery layout and lighting.” Read about the whole-house remodel in the October 2020 issue of Qualified Remodeler magazine.
LOVELY LANTERNS
From contemporary to more traditional designs, metal lanterns continue to light the way in our living spaces (and they look great doing it).
The modern lantern pendants in the stairwell (above) match black accents used throughout the home, including stair railings, window trim and more. See the complete photo gallery HERE.
These classic metal lanterns, over the island and dining table, complement the traditional style of this classic white kitchen. See the full gallery of photos HERE.
CAGED PENDANTS
Cages not only protect delicate light bulbs from damage, they come in a variety of materials and styles that add interest to a room.
This mixed wood and metal pendant lends character and warmth to a seating area under the stairs in this basement remodel.
The pendant also adds light to a potentially dark corner in the open-concept space, making the seating area feel inviting. Read more about the entire basement finish HERE.
The metal-caged lights (above) fit the rustic style of this powder bathroom remodel.
And these wire-wrapped cages in brushed brass add a subtle design element to the master bath in this whole-house remodel.
INSPIRED BY SCIENCE
Thanks to Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb in 1879, you could argue that all indoor lighting is inspired by science. But it’s fun to use fixtures that reflect scientific break-throughs completely unrelated to lighting.
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, into Earth’s orbit. The successful event also launched a worldwide love affair with space travel, as well as an iconic design trend: the Sputnik light fixture. Explore more photos of this Sputnik chandelier (above), and its custom home project, HERE.
Have you ever played with one of those pendulum desk toys, the kind with the swinging metal balls that clack together? It’s called a Newton’s Cradle, based on Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion. It’s also the design inspiration for the delicate kitchen light fixture featured here (above and below).
Read more about this award-winning remodel in the Fort Collins Magazine article “Crazy Sexy Smart.”
FARMHOUSE FIXTURES
The modern farmhouse movement has inspired some gorgeous replica lighting that works in a variety of interior design styles.
When we turned our 1920s-era garage into the HighCraft Design Studio (above), we wanted to showcase our material samples in the best light possible, so we installed two oversized barn lights over the island.
We’re not trying to pull off a pure farmhouse design in the studio. Rather, we’re using the two deep-bowl pendants as a bold focal point, and their Jadeite green porcelain finish contributes to the vintage industrial vibe of our studio. Read the full story HERE.
A galvanized milk-can pendant light reflects the working-ranch charm of the Bunkhouse, a vacation rental apartment in Loveland. See more photos in the Bunkhouse gallery.
The mini apron sink, drawer bin pulls, and Mason jar-inspired light pendants (above), add to the modern farmhouse feel of this basement remodel.
CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS
There is something special and sparkling about the light from a crystal chandelier.
More and more, we’re seeing crystal chandeliers crossing design genres, like in the master bathroom of this custom farmhouse north of Fort Collins. When we asked clients Tom and Debbie about their design style, Debbie said, “We had a home in downtown Denver for seven years. It was very modern, very glamorous, and I loved that style. But our first love is farming, so we wanted our forever home to be a combination of the two styles.”
See the gallery of photos HERE, and read the full story in the March 2021 issue of NOCO Style magazine.
RUSTIC REPLICAS
In Colorado, and across the country, people are using reclaimed or replica farm and ranch parts – such as old rope pulleys, baling hooks and barn beams – for rustic lighting fixtures. The custom chandelier in the dining room (above) …
… and a matching pulley pendant in the nearby bathroom, reflect the western design palette of a client who happens to be a rancher. Read “HighCraft Replaces Fussy Finishes with Rustic Style,” or explore the gallery, for more photos.
You don’t need to be a rancher to love replica pulley lights, as seen in this Old Town Fort Collins kitchen (above). Read about the entire remodel, including a second-floor addition, in the Fort Collins Magazine story “Cottage Heart, Modern Soul.”
INDUSTRIAL FITTINGS
Similar to replica farm parts, industrial elements such as pipe fittings are being used to create some very cool light fixtures.
This basement remodel in the foothills west of Fort Collins is a blend of industrial, modern and rustic styles.
The industrial lighting brings a focal point to the wet bar, and adds imperfect texture to balance the smooth lines and polished surfaces.
Check out “Concrete Ideas” and “7 Stairs with Style” for more about this basement remodel.
MIXED METALS
Mixed-metal light fixtures continue to be popular in 2021.
BLACK AND GOLD
The matte black and antique brass pendant finishes in this kitchen remodel are picked up in the island’s cabinetry and elegant bar stools.
The mixed-metal dining room pendants complement the fixtures in this kitchen remodel.
See more photos in the project gallery.
SILVER AND GOLD
We love this geometric pendant in brushed nickel and brass.
It works well in this contemporary powder bathroom with bold lines, textures and patterns. See more gallery photos HERE.
BLACK AND SILVER
The lighting is a combination of matte black and nickel finishes in this kitchen remodel.
The vine chandelier over the dining room table has seven glass globes on adjustable arms …
… matching the mixed-metal island pendants for design continuity. Explore the entire remodeling project HERE.
WHITE AND BRIGHT PENDANTS
Understated pendants can add architectural points of interest without detracting from the overall design.
Simple white pendants by Tech Lighting and LBL Lighting are sleek and elegant against a monochromatic backdrop of white walls and barely gray upper cabinetry. See more project photos HERE.
The graceful white pendants (above) draw your eyes up the stairs in this minimalistic design. Explore the whole-house remodel HERE.
HEAVENLY ORBS
There is nothing like a gorgeous globe pendant in the stairwell, over the bathtub, or in the foyer, to establish mood or make a lasting impression.
This metal pendant, hanging above the stairway landing and reading nook, has a story of its own. Learn more HERE.
An ethereal pendant light is a focal point in this master bathroom remodel, easily enjoyed from the shower, the sink and while soaking in the tub.
The crystal and metal pendant makes a lasting first impression in this farmhouse foyer (above). Take a video tour of the project HERE.
To better understand the differences between ambient, task and accent lighting, learn more from the post “Don’t be in the Dark about Lighting.”
Whether you build new construction, or remodel what you have, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team is here to help with your project, large or small. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.
