Ceiling Lights
That item has been discontinued, but here are similar options.
Contemporary ceiling lights give the overhead fixture a shape: a geometric brass frame, a woven shade, smoked glass on a long drop, or a slim black line of LED light in place of a plain disc. They still fill the room with light, and they give the ceiling something to look at.
These fixtures are part of our high end lighting. Most are tagged mid century or art deco, in brass, gold and black, matte black, beige, and gray woven or paper shades. Several hang on long cords and work in rooms with higher ceilings; a few sit closer to the ceiling for lower rooms.
Choosing contemporary ceiling lights by ceiling height
Measure before you shop. Under eight feet, choose a fixture that sits close to the ceiling, or confirm on the product page that the drop can be shortened, so it clears heads and door swings. At nine feet and above, a fixture on a drop fills the space better and brings the light closer to the room.
The mistake: a small fixture in a big room
A ceiling light that is too small looks lost and leaves the corners dark. For a rough diameter, take the room's length plus its width in feet and call the total inches, so a 12 by 14 foot room suits about 26 inches. Long linear fixtures follow different math: size them to the table or island beneath, not to the room.
A statement ceiling light or a quiet one
Geometric brass and black ceiling lights
Geometric frames and clusters stand out as shapes and suit living rooms, dining rooms and entries. Brass warms the ceiling; black draws a crisp line.
Ceiling lights with woven and paper shades
Woven bell and paper dome shades soften the light and fit calmer rooms. They sit well with wood and linen, and when lit the weave can throw a soft pattern across the ceiling. Over a bed or a reading area, that softer light is easier to live with than a bare bulb.
Art deco ceiling light details
Smoked glass, perforated metal and long vertical drops give several of these an art deco edge. They look strongest over a table or in a stairwell, where the full length can be seen.
Ceiling lights as the base layer
A ceiling fixture lights the whole room, but it lights it flat. Add lamps at seated height and the room gets depth. Our mid century modern lamps pick up the same shapes and finishes, so the overhead and the lamps read as one set. In halls and foyers, look at our entryway light fixtures to plan the ceiling light, sconces and any chandelier together.
Bulbs and switches
Use warm bulbs and, where the fixture allows, a dimmer. Put the ceiling light on its own switch so you can turn it off in the evening and let the lamps take over.
The fixture you see every day
A ceiling fixture is on view all day and lit only at night. Choose one whose outline you still like in daylight, when the frame or shade is all there is to see.