In the decorative world, onyx is a natural material that is born in the heart of a mountain. A type of marble, it can take a very smooth polish that feels like glass to the touch. However the material itself is quite heavy and solid, as a stone should be. Certain types of any have a translucent quality that allows light to pass through the surface of the stone causing it to glow. This property has been used by designers over the years to create decorative glowing pieces, such as candle holders, lamps, and wall sconces.
Decorating with onyx lighting is different than using regular lamps. For one thing, it is an almost entirely ambient experience. The light from these pieces isn't directional, shooting out in a straight line, up, down, or sideways. Instead it comes out diffused, so that the glow spreads rather evenly outward from the source.
Lamps
Another peculiar element of onyx lighting is the lack of glare. The light has to travel through the stone before it breaks through to the environment. As it moves through the material, it is filtered, leaving it a soft, even glow that fills a room gently, rather than with the harsh glare of a regular fixture.
One of the drawbacks to onyx lighting is that it is so dim. If you want to create a relaxed lounge atmosphere it's great, but if you're looking to read, or use a computer screen, or even just to be able to gauge someone's expressions accurately, you might want to flick on an overhead light.
One option for onyx lighting is as a centerpiece. The stone is usually quite attractive when lit, with the multicolored veins of the marble glowing with the illumination within. This can be set on a mantel, or a coffee table, or any position of prominence as an accent point for the entire room.
If you want to use onyx lighting as the sole illumination in a room, it might be better to try multiple pieces. Each lamp, or candle holder can be placed in a different corner, allowing little orbs of glowing light to gently fill the space. If they are arranged all together in a single display, they can create a campfire effect, with the soft light emanating from a single, warm point of light.
Onyx lighting is an ambient illumination choice that requires you to do some theoretical thinking. Contemplate the nature of a diffused glow, and then try to situate it within the mood of the environment you are creating. In this way you can merge the soft ambient light of these pieces with the rest of the illuminated symphony in the space.
Decorating With Onyx Lamps
This article was written by Jim Slate, an artist at PebbleZ.com where you can find a wide selection of natural onyx lamps, ambient natural stone lighting fixtures that create an ambient atmosphere in any space.
No comments:
Post a Comment