Though it doesn’t look like it from here—a country with no lighting shops—decorative lighting is a big industry on the Continent. There are lots of brands and, of course, based on our experience, we have strong opinions on many of them! One that stands out, for good reasons, is Almalight, who demonstrate a deep understanding of the industry. We think that this is partly because they (like Quasar, for example) started out distributing other brands in their territory before launching their own collections. As they add new lights, they build on current trends—not jumping on bandwagons, but instead taking the core idea and moving it on. Let me show you.
Key to their current collections is TheLight, a chandelier for those who value the functionality of a multi-arm chandelier, but who prefer a contemporary look.
The metal arms, and the sandblasted methacrylate lights that blend seamlessly into them, are square in section. Besides matt gold and matt nickel there is, unusually, a white version that looks very smart:
The three standard sizes are: 30 arms Ø109cm (shown at the top), 18 arms Ø102cm (above) and 12 arms Ø68cm.
Thelight was introduced in 2013. In 2017, Almalight released a softer, more rounded design called ThePalm. They have similar sizes and finishes to TheLight.
ThePalm can be hung the other way up, which makes it look more like a palm tree:
Then this year they have added TheChandelier:
The colour choices are now polished brass or white or black (looking great above!). The light sources are opal glass light bodies (containing E27 lamps) that are much bigger than the small arm extensions used for the other two, so the overall dimensions change also. There is a 15 arm in three tiers that is Ø107cm. Also Ø107cm is the 9 arm in two tiers (above). Then there is a cute little 3 arm, in one Ø55cm tier:
Of course Almalight saw the increasing popularity of cordless lights. Their twist is to use more interesting materials. Bell is not only untypical in being a wonderful pillow of solid iroko wood (in a choice of two shapes), its whole design is unique:
The shape and the wood combine to create a warmer, softer, more hand-made look than their metal/glass rivals. They are Ø13cm (or 13x13cm) H12cm.
Patio uses more conventional materials: it is the shape that is unusual:
Another cordless light, Tribeca USB, adopts the now ubiquitous ball. Almalight’s twist is to make it not out of frosted glass or polyethylene, but out of beautiful, veined alabaster, a luxurious natural product that ensures every piece will be different:
The base can be black or white. There are two heights:
That Ø12cm alabaster sphere features throughout the Tribeca corded collection:
They cast a useful amount of light:
But, for when a task light as well as an ambient light source is required, there is a bedside wall version with an extra reading light attached:
The alabaster sphere looks like a moon!
Alabaster is a speciality of Almalight, as we’ve seen before in the Fuji family—the pendants.. .
…and the glorious table light!
So, a respectable collection of well-made, well-priced, useable lights from an efficient Catalan company. Some customization is possible, e.g. different finishes.
If you’d like to know more, you know what to do by now—just get in touch with us
Leave a comment