Blog

Decorative lighting influences the way every room feels and looks.

“Today’s lighting customers are looking for stylish, easy-to-maintain fixtures that are reminiscent of older finishes of yesteryear with a modern update,” says Amy Fimbianti, showroom manager for Crest Lighting, a division of Paramont EO.

Lighting trends tend to follow the furniture industry, which is now focusing on Urban Rustic, Restoration, Retro and Transitional styles. Lighting customers want something unique in their lighting fixtures to coordinate with these styles.

“To achieve differentiation, we see customers are more willing to mix metals and finishes in their homes,” says Amy. “Clients are no longer picking their fixtures based on a faucet or door knob, but basing their choices on what goes with the overall style and look they are trying to achieve.”

Manufacturers are striving to give customers what they are asking for and everything old seems to be new again. Gold finishes are making a comeback, but not “your parent’s polished brass” of the past. Today’s metal finishes are a softer painted gold with hints of silver or bronze, which makes it more of a softer, transitional color.

In addition to evolving metal finishes, styles of pendants and chandeliers are changing, with customers looking for that unique piece within their price point. The traditional crystal chandeliers are being updated with more metal finishes and less heavy crystals. Crystals are becoming accent pieces to give sparkle and shimmer, instead of being the principal feature.

Mini chandeliers or “chandelettes” are still popular choices for powder rooms, small bedrooms and other spaces to give the feel of luxury and elegance, just on a smaller scale.

Social media and the Internet play a large role in our customers’ choices.

“Clients are using various websites to do some of their research before coming in, but they still love getting the one-on-one expert advice that our Crest Lighting sales staff has to offer,” said Fimbianti. “HGTV and DIY television shows are also places customers get their ideas and influences. Catalogs from Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn offer inspiration to many of our clients, who then turn to us to make those ideas reality in their homes, offices and commercial spaces. We do our very best to make their lighting dreams come true, while taking into account room scale, overall style and maintenance.”

Customers can visit our website www.crestlighting.com to view styles and get inspired. We always encourage clients to come into our fully stocked showrooms in Chicago and New Lenox, IL to meet with our professional lighting designers who can help them achieve their lighting goals.