If you dare to go bare, these beauties could surprise you...
Ever since Plumen lit up the design world in 2010, with its ‘so cool it doesn’t need a shade’ energy-efficient light bulb, LEDs have lost their lowly status and shot into the high-style stakes.
Aesthetically appealing and highly engineered, the pioneering company’s playful and provocative designs – not to mention the new EU laws on energy efficiency – have inspired a host of designers to follow suit and put bare bulbs into the limelight.
Turning light bulbs into a thing of beauty, with barely-there fixtures that show them off by leaving them exposed, the recent crop of bulb pendants are variations on a popular theme.
Designed to resemble traditional incandescent bulbs with visible filaments, the illuminated LED filament itself becomes an attractive part of the lamp’s appeal.
The LED (light emitting diode) bulb uses a fraction of the energy, plus the extra filaments in these state-of-the-art designs emit a much warmer glow (early LEDs tended to produce a cold grey light).
Encased in coloured glass, suspended from solid bronze and polished-nickel industrial-style fittings or offset with luxurious stone, this new generation of bulb pendants are pretty and practical, too.
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VORONOII II, £125, TALA
With its ambient, low-level light, this delightful droplet-shaped LED bulb works well in a bedroom or over a dining table. It's made with tinted mouth-blown glass and is energy-efficient.
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HELIOS, £59, SWOON
Named after Helios, Greek God of the sun, this simple lamp, descending from its green marble bulb holder, has a hint of luxury about it – and will bathe your home in a warm glow into the bargain.
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CYLINDER, £99, LIGNE ROSET
Designed in Sweden by Jonas Forsman and Lars Wettre, this ceiling light is enclosed in a matt black silicone fitting and looks great teamed with the luminescent smoked grey glass LED filament bulb.
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HEAVY METAL ES PENDANT, £147, BUSTER + PUNCH AT JOHN LEWIS
This edgy pendant from homeware rockstars, Buster + Punch will add attitude to your abode. Crafted from solid smoked bronze, it's designed to be used with the brand's own sleek LED bulbs.
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ALCHEMIST GLOBE, FROM £209, HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW
Designed to enhance the decorative LED filament bulb encased inside the square glass shade, this quirky pendant, with its pretty reflections, makes an interesting light source.
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OLSEN GLASS GLOBE IN SMOKE, £199, HEAL’S
Designed by Heal's in-house studio, this globe pendant is available in smoke or clear glass and emits a soft, warm glow. The collection also features a wall light.
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BEACON OF LIGHT, £150, ANDREW MARTIN
This simple yet elegant torch light comes in a polished-nickel finish for a flattering illumination. Hang individually or in a row for extra impact.
