Red Metal Saucer Pendant Light

A wide metal saucer in a deep vintage red, offered at 48 and 60 cm across. Red is a colour most lighting ranges avoid, and that is exactly why this works: in a room of neutrals a single strong red fitting overhead does more than any amount of accessorising, and because the shade is completely plain the colour reads cleanly rather than as decoration.

The saucer form is the practical half. Wide and shallow is the most useful shape there is for a room with a normal ceiling: it spreads light generously across a table or an island while staying well clear of anyone's sightline across the room. At 48 by 27 cm it suits a standard dining table or a kitchen island; at 60 by 30 cm it has the spread for a long table, a wide seating group or an open-plan space, and it becomes a genuine focal point. The metal shade directs all its light downwards, so the surface below is properly lit rather than the room being washed weakly.

Finishes are applied by hand and may vary slightly between pieces. Bulb is not included; because the shade is open at the base, a frosted bulb 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 weight and diameter of the fitting.

• Shade: wide shallow metal saucer in vintage red
• Sizes: 48 x 27 cm or 60 x 30 cm
• Light: generous directional downward spread
• Best for: dining tables, kitchen islands, open-plan spaces
• Bulb: not included, frosted recommended
• Style: vintage, characterful, boldly coloured