Gold Sputnik Starburst Chandelier

Radiating arms in a polished gold finish, spreading outwards from a central hub in the atomic starburst form that defined 1950s lighting. There are no shades: the arms end in exposed lamps, so the fitting is a piece of drawn geometry rather than a solid mass, and it reads as lines of gold against the ceiling.

Four configurations are offered. Six lights is compact enough for a bedroom, a hallway or a small dining table. Ten lights is the everyday choice over a dining table or in a mid-sized living room. Twelve gives more spread for a larger room, and sixteen is a proper centrepiece for a big living room or an entrance hall with the height to carry it. Because the sources are spread wide across the arms rather than concentrated in one shade, the light reaches into the corners of a room instead of pooling in the middle, which is why this style works as a main light and not only as decoration.

Bulbs are not included. Because the lamps are exposed, the choice of bulb makes a considerable difference: a small decorative or golf-ball bulb suits the arms best, and a frosted one is more comfortable to sit beneath than a clear one. Installation should be carried out by a qualified electrician, and the ceiling fixing must be rated for the full weight of the chandelier.

• Design: radiating starburst arms with exposed lamps
• Finish: polished gold
• Options: 6, 10, 12 or 16 lights
• Style: mid-century, atomic, retro-futuristic
• Best for: dining rooms, living rooms, entrance halls, bedrooms
• Bulbs: not included, small frosted decorative bulbs recommended