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Plumen Drop Cap Light

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Gone are the days when a light was purely a functional way of making sure you didn’t trip over the cat when you went into a room. Now it’s often the first place designers suggest you start when putting a room together and it’s certainly not just a question of fitting a bulb when it’s all done and hoping for the best.

Plumen, creators of the first so-called designer low energy bulb, have been aware of this since they first launched in 2010 and their eco bulb, which its distinctive looping shape was swiftly followed by a set of pendant fittings in brass, chrome, copper, red and black. This was followed by the Plumen 002 which is less bright and more suited to relaxed spaces. It was a completely different shape – more sculptural and, shall we say in a technical sort of way; less twisty.

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Given that exposed light bulbs are all the rage now – well, yes they have been for some time but that trend shows no sign of slowing down – we might as well deal with the eco bit now. According to Plumen, you can power more than eight of their bulbs to every single incandescent squirrel cage light, and they cost around the same.

This week, to coincide with the London Design Festival, the company has launched this rather fabulous drop cap hat which simply slots over the pendant fitting to create a simple, sculptural light. I have to admit, when I first saw the Plumen 002 I wasn’t sure. I thought the original had more presence but now that I’ve seen the drop hat it all makes sense.

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Light from the bulb bounces back off the under side of the disc (which is a bit like a cymbal now I come to think of it) and here’s the clever bit: you can mix and match the elements to create the perfect light for you. Black drop cap and brass hat? No problem. Red cap and copper hat? Don’t mind if I do. Or classic? White and brass?

“We made the discs flat and perfectly proportioned for Plumen bulbs. The lamp holder is hidden by the Drop Cap, so only the lit part of the bulb projects out, and it is met with a perfect reflection. From certain angles the original and mirrored form combine into a single glowing sculpture that seems to hover in space” says Nicolas Roope, Plumen’s Founder and Creative Director.

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It looks good as a single light but even better when they are grouped as in these images. And if this doesn’t convince you to paint your walls dark then I don’t know what will. Below I have included an image with a white background so you can see the actual light more clearly.

The cost? Well it’s about £20 for the bulb (but it lasts for 8,000 hours), around £35 for pendant fitting and between £30 and £45 for the hat shade, which means you can have a designer, low energy light in the colour combination of your choice from around 85 quid. Now that ain’t bad is it?

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My choice: Plumen 002, brass hat, black fitting. Which would you choose?

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.