When LED first arrived on the scene, it seemed all we could do with it was try to jam it into form factors developed for incandescent and fluorescent sources. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Today, lighting manufacturers are continually finding ways to take the LED lighting engine and use complementary materials to make beautiful fixtures.
The low heat and consistent output of LED have opened up a revisiting of classic lighting materials in new form factors. Alabaster is back, and in the right form factors, it makes for stunning and elegant lighting fixtures. No manufacturer has done more with alabaster for lighting fixtures than Modern Forms, playing with scale and form factor to turn alabaster into a beautiful, fully illuminated diffusion material.
Things to Know About Alabaster
Alabaster is a smooth, translucent stone, often creamy white or slightly colored, that's been around for centuries in art and decor. It's actually pretty soft as far as stones go, especially the gypsum kind, which makes it easy to carve but also a bit more delicate.
When it comes to a material like alabaster, beware of imitations. Printed materials and faux alabaster are common on the market. These materials will cheapen the look of the fixture, discolor over time, and lack uniqueness. When you use natural alabaster, each piece will have natural veining and slight shadowing, which makes each piece special.
If you're old enough to remember alabaster in incandescent or halogen lighting, you remember the dreaded brown burn marks that would develop over time due to the high heat of the light source. I am happy to tell you that we don't have to worry about that today with the lower heat of LED sources.
Now, let's look at how Modern Forms has used this beautiful material to create stunning light fixtures.
Clique
This 31" diameter pendant makes an alabaster ring that delivers 3200+ lumens of light in a beautifully elegant form factor.
Entice
You might have seen the trend of a flexible rope of light that draped over a pipe or suspended from the ceiling. What if we elevated that look by illuminating a series of Alabaster cylinders with this rope of light? The result is something that almost looks like a luminous necklace. It's available in lengths including 93," 122," 181," and 240," more than enough to make a signature look in a lobby or within a home.
Parel
Take the same concept and gently drape this soft light along a hanging pendant, making it look both casual and elegant.
Pisces
What I love about Pisces is that from a single 8" sphere, we can create so many looks. This alabaster globe can be hung as a single pendant or of course, as multiple pendants.
It can also be shipped pre-grouped to create a bold statement piece. The mounting plate is available in three sizes—20", 28", and 36"—with up to 41 lights on the plate hung at varying heights.
Alabaster on the Wall
We've talked about Alabaster as a signature piece, but it can also be a lovely way to create a soft, warm ambiance. In residential or hospitality situations, creating soft vertical illumination makes spaces comfortable and inviting. Alabaster sconces are a great way to do that.
Toulouse
This piece strikes the balance between modern and elegant, delivering a comfortable 500+ lumens.
Ophelia
Delivering nearly 900 lumens of elegant soft light, Ophelia is a decidedly feminine touch to a modern space.
Lanza
Whether we're talking about a luxurious bath vanity or perhaps a foyer entry, this piece elevates the line of light to a soft, beautiful object, casting warm (but highly functional!) light in the space.
Alabaster is a beautiful way to add soft, functional light to a living room, bathroom, or lobby. While it may be stone, it's soft and elegant when glowing from LED. Modern Forms has incorporated Alabaster in many new fixtures. And as always, anything you find on the Modern Forms website will ship quickly and is more affordable than you think.
Ready to See More? Use the Contact Us page to see Modern Forms Alabaster Options in person.Â
