The vogue for hanging a trio of suspended globe pendants above a kitchen island continues to gather pace - and with our desire for open-plan living it is a simple way to create a subtle division between the kitchen 'work area' and a relaxed dining or living zone on the other side of the island.
Turning off bright kitchen task lights and turning on the pendants whilst having dinner will immediately change the mood into one that's more convivial and down tempo.
In addition, hanging a globe pendant in the same style above the dining table – or teaming with wall lights or table lamps from the same collection in the same open-plan kitchen-dining-living area – is another way to create a cohesive scheme that flows easily between the different zones. Of course, having the same flooring throughout and using similar materials will also add to that effect.
See these cool kitchen islands.
A globe pendant is also a beautiful way to light up a small hallway that may not suit a larger piece - and without a dark shade to cover the bulb they're a decorative feature with the benefits of better illumination.
Our edit of the best globe pendants includes a mix of beautiful materials, from Jonathan Adler's Electrum Kinetic lamp with its polished brass, nickel and glass orb to Lignet Roset's Pelote by designer Patrick Zulauf, which is made with woven paper fibre.
There's smoked glass with the Umbra by Studio deForm for BOMMA at Hector Finch, dusky pink fluted glass on the Fulbourn at Jim Lawrence and opal glass on the Rift by Bert Frank.
If your preference is to avoid shop bought and to go for something different, then there's a charming cross-cut diamond glass on a vintage pendant that was salvaged from former Czechoslovakia at Skinflint, which would add a stylish touch to a modern scheme.
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Electrum Kinetic, £1,095, Jonathan Adler
A beautiful blend of minimalism and modernism, this glowing orb is surrounded by Space Age-inspired rings of polished brass and nickel. The movable rings can be flattened into concentric circles for a clean graphic vibe, or send them into orbit for a groovy-yet-oddly-traditional feel.
Pelote, £227, Patrick Zulauf at Ligne Roset
Designed by Patrick Zulauf, this shade is made with woven paper fibre for lighting with a textural touch.
Rift, £370, Bert Frank
With a perfect balance of proportion between a striking brass globe and a larger opal glass globe, the clean lines and simplicity of this pendant lamp will add a stylish look to any interior space.
Emerson, £70, Debenhams
Ideal for rooms with tall ceilings, this lamp has an adjustable chain and a metal and glass shade that will easily diffuse light or maximum illumination.
Umbra in Smoke Grey with Blue disc, £936, Hector Finch
Designed by Studio deForm for BOMMA, this pendant is inspired by the relationship between geometric objects and their shadows.
Fulbourn in Dusky Pink, £147, Jim Lawrence
The subtle hue of this dusky pink fluted glass is beautifully offset by the antiqued brass ceiling fitting.
Vintage Czechoslovakian, £390, Skinflint
This stylish retro cross-cut diamond glass pendant was salvaged from former Czechoslovakia and has been given a new spun brass fitting.