Retro Colored Glass Pendant Light

A clear or white shade simply lets light through. Colored glass changes it. With the Retro Colored Glass Pendant Light, the light itself takes on the tint of the shade, so an amber shade washes a corner in warm honey tones, a gray shade gives a softer smoky glow, and a green shade adds a cool, vintage feel. The room changes color with the light, which is something a plain pendant can never do.

The shapes lean retro, closer to the lights in an old cafe or bar than to a modern minimal fixture. Hung over a breakfast nook, a home bar or a kitchen counter, they give the space a relaxed, lived in character. With three glass tints, three sizes and two fitting colors, it is easy to build exactly the look you want, which is why it works so well as a pendant.

What makes the colored glass pendant stand out

The glass is the whole story. Each shade is colored glass, and the tint carries into the light it throws. The glass also creates a soft pattern of light and shadow around it. Small variations in the glass are part of its character, so no two shades look exactly the same.

The choice of tints is the second strength. Amber is the warmest and suits wood, brass and cozy dining corners. Gray gives a smoky, understated glow that sits well with black and industrial finishes. Green brings a vintage, slightly moody feel that works beautifully with plants, marble and dark wood.

The fittings are the third. Each tint comes with a black or a gold fitting. Black keeps the look simple and graphic, while gold adds a warmer, dressier touch, especially with amber glass.

Finally, the bulb becomes part of the design. The bulb is not included, and because it shows through the glass, a small filament style bulb suits the shade better than a large frosted one.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Kitchen counters and islands. A row of small shades over the counter.
• Breakfast nooks. One large shade over a small table.
• Home bars. Amber or green glass gives an easy cafe glow.
• Dining rooms. A cluster of two sizes in one tint over the table.
• Reading corners. A single shade hung low beside an armchair.

Colored glass also suits spaces where a little atmosphere matters more than bright task light, such as a lounge corner, a hallway or a guest bedroom.

Choosing the size and placement

The shades come in three diameters: 5.1 inches, 7.9 inches and 11.8 inches. The tint and the diameter are chosen together in the same option, so pick both at once. The Dimensions section above lists each size.

Some general guidance for placement:

• Hang the small sizes in a row over a counter or bar, spaced evenly along its length.
• Hang the 11.8 inch shade on its own over a table, centered on the table rather than the room.
• For a cafe cluster, combine two sizes in the same tint and vary their heights slightly.
• Keep the bottom of each shade high enough over a table that it does not block the view across it.

It wires into a ceiling point rather than plugging in. Turn the power off at the breaker before starting, and have an electrician do the connection if there is no fitting there.

Layering it with other lighting

Colored glass gives atmosphere first and brightness second, so it works best with other light around it. In a kitchen, recessed or flush mount ceiling lights handle the bright working light while the pendants add warmth over the counter. In a dining room, a pair of wall sconces or a lamp on a sideboard adds soft light to the edges of the room.

Bulb choice makes a big difference. A warm filament bulb makes amber and green glass glow at night, while a slightly cooler bulb brings out the smoky tone of gray glass. Keeping the same bulb in every shade of a cluster keeps the light even.

The pendants collection has other shapes and materials, and the wall sconces collection has pieces that pair well with a retro glass look.

Tint can also echo the rest of the room. Amber glass picks up walnut, leather and brass. Green glass sits beautifully beside houseplants and green tiles, and gray glass pairs well with concrete, slate and black steel.

Fitting color adds one more layer. A gold fitting with amber glass feels warm and a little glamorous, the classic cafe look. A black fitting with gray or green glass feels more industrial and modern. Choosing the fitting to match your cabinet handles, faucet or chair frames ties the pendant into the rest of the room.

Is the colored glass pendant right for your space?

This pendant is a strong fit if you:

• Want the light itself to take on a warm or smoky tint.
• Like a retro, cafe style look over a counter, bar or nook.
• Want to mix sizes in one tint for a cluster.
• Enjoy choosing a filament bulb to finish the look.

It may not be the right choice if you need bright, neutral task light over a kitchen workspace, since tinted glass colors the light. A clear or white shade would suit that job better.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions about tints and sizes are answered at info@norafurnish.com.