Wood and Metal Dome Pendant Light

A plain metal dome with a wood detail at the top, in the industrial idiom that has outlasted almost every other lighting fashion of the last twenty years. The reason it endures is that it does one job extremely well: a solid dome puts all its light straight down, so it lights a surface properly rather than washing a room weakly.

Two sizes and two finishes are offered. At 45 by 25 cm it works over a breakfast bar, a smaller dining table or in a pair over an island. At 60 by 30 cm it is large enough to anchor a full dining table or a living room on its own. Black gives the harder industrial reading and holds its own against brick, concrete and dark cabinetry; white keeps things quieter and reflects more light back down, which makes it the better choice in a small or dark room. The wood at the top warms the fitting and stops the metal from feeling cold, which is exactly the balance most kitchens need.

Wood is natural, so grain and tone vary slightly between pieces. Bulb is not included; a warm bulb suits the wood better than a cool white one, and because the shade is open at the bottom a frosted bulb is more comfortable to sit beneath. Installation should be carried out by a qualified electrician, and the ceiling fixing must be rated for the weight of the fitting.

• Shade: metal dome with wood top detail
• Finishes: black or white
• Sizes: 45 x 25 cm or 60 x 30 cm
• Light: strong directional downward pool
• Best for: dining tables, kitchen islands, breakfast bars, living rooms
• Bulb: not included, a frosted warm bulb is recommended