Tiffany-style luminaires are famous and popular all over the world. The original assembly technique allows you to create unique colored glass products, make stained glass, unusual and memorable chandeliers.
Style story
Tiffany-style lamps, photos of which you can see in this article, are named after the creator of an unusual technology for working with glass. This method was created by the famous American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. In the late XIX - early XX centuries, he was one of the leading designers and a recognized master of stained glass. Lamps created by its technology have gained incredible popularity and international recognition.
Original chandeliers and lampshades from stained glass, which were released by the famous artist, today are of great interest to collectors. Louis Tiffany turned stained glass into a new art form.
The future master studied in Paris, traveled to many countries, collecting all available information about the possibilities of glass and how to work with it. Returning to the United States, Tiffany created his own studio, which worked with wealthy clients, helping them with interior design in private homes, churches, and offices. In addition, Louis's studio designed reception rooms in the White House.
Tiffany Technique
Before Tiffany, there was no such technology for producing stained glass in the world. It lies in the fact that a small piece of colored glass is wrapped around the edge with copper foil and laid out on a sheet of cardboard, where a sketch of the future pattern is preliminarily applied. Details are soldered with tin solder.
This technique allows you to create magnificent and very complex ornaments. In addition, it became possible to produce volumetric figures with bends. Thanks to this technology, today we can admire chandeliers and lamps in the Tiffany style with colored glass mosaic shades.
Bright stained glass, which previously could only be seen in palaces, churches, public buildings, began to appear in residential buildings in the form of bright chandeliers and lamps. Natural light in them was replaced by electric light; a stained glass window, known since antiquity, turned into a voluminous and rounded ceiling.
Opalescent glass
Tiffany had a chance to work twice with La Farge, who introduced the master to the technology of manufacturing opalescent glass. A formal agreement was later concluded that lamp shades, stained glass, and opalescent glass would be called Tiffany.
Such a glass gets a special effect when adding opacifying substances: burnt bone or tin. In this case, tiny drops of phosphate glass appear in the glass mass, giving the effect of "clouding".
Iris glass
This is another type of glass from which lamps are made in the styles of Tiffany - iridescent. It is obtained by sprinkling metal grains on a finished but not yet cooled glass. As a result, a special iridescent metallic luster appears on the surface. This type of glass was known even before Tiffany, but gained popularity thanks to him.
Folded glass
The popularization of this draped glass is also the merit of Tiffany. A soft hot glass plate is deformed during the manufacturing process, obtaining the necessary drapery. This method was often used to create volumetric stained-glass windows to depict plant motifs.
Types of fixtures
Stained glass lamps can be divided into four categories.
- Ceiling - are usually the main source of lighting. Tiffany-style ceiling lights look great against a bright ceiling. The advantage of such a lamp is that when it is turned off, it supports the general style of the room and looks very expressive. And when the chandelier is turned on, the room is filled with bright colors, like a toy kaleidoscope. It should be borne in mind that such a lamp adds dynamism to the interior. Therefore, if you plan to place pendant lamps in the style of Tiffany in the bedroom, then give preference to samples with calmer tones of glass that will create a calm atmosphere in the room.
- Wall lights in combination with a chandelier will create an interesting combination in the interior. Models have protruding shades that resemble a flashlight in shape. Commonly used for zoning rooms. Tiffany-style wall lamps with protruding shades are quite appropriate in a spacious living room and a bright color scheme. For a bedroom, a lampshade sconce with soft light is more suitable.
- Table lamps are a winning accent for any interior. The standard form of a table lamp, which is a massive and stable base with a stained glass shade.
- Floor standing. As a rule, this is a type of floor lamp with a colored glass lampshade. Depending on the chosen room style, the shape of the lampshade can be round or faceted.
Lamps in different interiors
Today, many models of such chandeliers and lamps are produced. They can be easily selected for any interior style.
Gothic
In this style, the presence of stained-glass windows in the decor of the room is especially important. Gothic personifies the Middle Ages, and therefore requires greatness and luxury. The Gothic style is characterized by peak arches, elongated windows, unusual lighting solutions and stained glass. For such a design, you need to choose models with bold color combinations: green, bright yellow, blue, red glass.
Models with forging elements are perfect for Gothic style: a wall sconce depicting a Gothic castle or a table lamp in the shape of a tulip with a forged stem.
Baroque
The lush and artsy aristocratic style is designed to demonstrate power and wealth, which is why stucco, gold, tapestry and velvet are used in interior decoration. Stained glass lamps for this style are designed to emphasize the financial viability of the homeowner, products with forged elements and gilding are suitable.
Mediterranean
Unlike previous decors, Mediterranean-style Tiffany lights should not be too bright or pretentious. This style does not accept riot of colors. Choose chandeliers and lamps with pastel-colored stained-glass windows, with floral ornaments that only emphasize elegance and restraint.
East style
But the riot of colors and the identity of such a room needs to be complemented by colorful Tiffany-style lamps. To convey oriental chic in the decor, lamps with an animalistic or floral pattern are used. The lines of the picture in it should be smooth and ornate. For this style are welcome - brown, orange, yellow.
Country
The style embodies the coziness and sincerity of village houses, national features and a connection with nature. It is inherent in the use of natural fabrics and materials, natural shades, the absence of newfangled details. Country-style Tiffany lights should be antique. Therefore, such products are artificially aged by the method of patination. Brown, beige, green will be more suitable than others.
High tech
A modern style that is characterized by minimalism in detail and dynamism. Lamps must be transparent and light - a minimum of lines, only simple geometry and uniformity in the color scheme.
Where are the lights used?
Without exaggeration, it can be argued that each Tiffany-style chandelier is a real work of art that is performed at a high artistic level. Such a lamp is suitable for:
- bedrooms, but only if your version does not require classical lighting, and all kinds of colored lampshades and nightlights add comfort and peace to the room;
- children's room;
- hallway - including a lamp, mood will rise even after a hard working day;
- kitchens - such a solution will allow you to slightly “dilute” ordinary kitchen interior items with colored light.
Useful Tips
- Tiffany-style chandeliers and fixtures must be carefully selected for libraries and classrooms, where such a play of light will distract from work.
- Even for decoration, you should not install such a ceiling lamp in a spacious living room, since its power will not provide a comfortable level of lighting in a large space.
- Do not abuse the number of fixtures in one room. In one room, a table lamp and a floor lamp or a chandelier and a table lamp are enough.
- It is desirable that the picture was the same or at least from one series. Otherwise, the room will resemble a store.
Today you can find many Tiffany-style fixtures on sale. Some products, like decades ago, are handmade and exclusive.