Category: Styles

We’re blessed here in the north-east never to be too far from the glorious coastline that our region has to offer. From the glorious sandy beaches to the photogenic cliffs, our coast forms an integral part of who we are. You might be asking what that has got to do with lighting, well let us explain.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to see the sea from your window, then you’ll probably already have taken the ethos of coastal lighting to your heart. The need for non-corrosive, weather resistant lighting to protect your investment from the hostile salt air and slowly destructive sea spray means that ensuring the longevity of your lighting, especially outside, is a necessity.

Like any style of decor, coastal lighting is about embracing the area you live and making the most of its themes, mood and stylistic choices. That feeling of serenity, beauty and embracing nature can make you think that the marriage of style and practicality can’t work together, but that’s not the case.

Being on the coast means you’ll try and spend as much time outside as possible, weather permitting. What could be better than being outside, sea air in your lungs and sunshine beating down. You’ll no doubt want to make sure you can enjoy that feeling for as long as possible and that means finding the right lighting to illuminate your outdoor spaces.

Despite the need to utilise the best in outdoor protected lighting, that doesn’t mean you have to compromise your taste, your style or your pocket. Gone are the days when the only way to embrace the coastal theme was through fisherman-style lanterns, painted pendant lights or bleached-effect table lamps. Your choice includes those, but so much more.

Our range includes classic wall lights in nautical styles from Forum or Firstlight, that come in black or nickel and solid brass respectively. If you want to go a small step closer to contemporary without completely losing the nautical look, then our range of wall lights from Astro, in antique brass, offer both style with added environmental protection.

As we venture towards more modern, contemporary seas for your coastal lighting, then you can’t go wrong by choosing something from Elstead. Their range of Ordrup, Copenhagen or Klampenborg wall lights will add a touch of glamour to the outside of your home. In addition, their Sandbanks range will look incredible along your path, drive, garden or decking.

This particular range of lights offer wall fixtures and floor-standing bollards that would look perfect wherever you place them. By combining low energy with high quality contained in a stainless steel shell, they will be sure to stand the test of time in even the harshest of environments. Not to be outdone, anything Elstead can do, Konstsmide can do equally well. Their range of galvanised outdoor lighting mean that you’ll can spend every minute you have available outside, even if it’s just to admire them.

The thing is, you don’t need to live by the sea to fully embrace a coastal lighting theme. Any of the lights we’ve talked about would look stunning in any home, wherever it is. If you’re near the coast, they will be guaranteed to last through the harshest weather, but still elegant enough to embrace the challenge it brings. Take a look at what we have to offer, you’ll be so glad you did.

Most people, when they think about brass lighting, think about homes from the 1970s or ‘80s. Back in those days, brass was very popular. It looked like gold, and gave homes a certain style that was all the rage back then.

The thing is, the brass lighting that went out of style wasn’t actually brass, it was brass-plated. Solid brass stood the test of time and still looks great even today. Solid brass never actually fell out of fashion, in fact, brass lighting is now one of 2017 hottest trends. Let’s take a look at what you can expect from these stunning lights.

You might think brass is a simple choice, but there is so much more to it. You can get antique brass, satin brass, brass plate and even blackened brass. Whilst some of those descriptions are marketing choices by certain manufacturers, they can’t hide the subtle warmth they all bring. All of those incredible finishes come together to collectively offer some stunning brass lighting choices, no matter what your home decor style is.

Brass fittings, no matter which style you opt for, give your home a warm, rich tone which adds beauty to any room. Their caramel hue blends in with your homes decor, regardless of the season. It adds a refreshing contrast in spring, a complementary tone in summer, a sympathetic autumnal tone and a warmth in the colder months of winter.

Gone are the days of brass lighting only your parents would choose, raw metals like brass are a much more adaptable and flexible material than most people give it credit for. They can be as contemporary as polished chrome and yet as traditional as any other. It brings both a sense of nostalgia and comfort in a multitude of styles.

When it comes to lighting, few materials complement your existing furniture more than brass. If you’re going for a modern, minimalist style, then brass lighting, whether that’s wall lights, table lights or pendants, give you a very striking contrast. If you’ve got lighter wooden furniture, then that contrast is even more impressive. Even in the most lifeless space, brass fixtures can create an interesting feature that you will love to see every day and your visitors will admire, every time they call.

Whatever your budget, brass light fittings can look as high-end as any other style. You can certainly get fittings that look like they’ve been in your family for centuries, but you can also go cutting edge. Depending on how the fitting has been finished, they can suit any style. The polished brass is classically shiny, whilst brushed brass is more subtle.

No manufacturer seems to have embraced brass more than Endon. They are by no means the only company doing some incredible things with this metal (just look at Diyas or Interiors 1900 for more), but Endon’s range covers a multitude of styles that are sure to look superb in any home.

If you’re looking for a brass pendant, then there is bound to be one that suits your home. From the more traditionally styled Beckinsale or Brydon lights, through to the Ford or Dickens, which play with your expectations of what a brass light can or should be.

For those of you for whom 2017 is starting with a little redecoration, then adding some brass lighting might just be the new style you’ve been looking for. Take a look at our wide range and you’ll soon appreciate what brass lighting can bring to your home, now and for years ahead.

Of all the different types of lighting we sell, of all the different finishes and materials they’re made from, stainless steel has always been one of the most popular. It’s a material that occurs all around our home, from cutlery to tools, and it’s no coincidence that we have taken it to our hearts in the way we have.

Stainless steel was discovered by metallurgist Harry Brearley in 1913 whilst experimenting with different types of steel for making weapons. He noticed that steel, which included 13% chromium, had not corroded after months of use.

Stainless steel is actually an alloy of iron, but one which must contain at least 10.5% of chromium. It also includes varying degrees of carbon, manganese and silicon, but also has some nickel and molybdenum within it. It’s the chromium that creates what is known as a ‘passive layer’ of oxide on the steel. It’s this layer that prevents any further corrosion, and gives us the stainless steel we know and love. You can increase the resistance to corrosion by increasing the amount of chromium in the mix.

It’s worth noting that the key term us ‘stainless’. Despite what you might think, it’s not completely immune from corrosion, although in normal atmospheric conditions, it will not corrode. A simple gentle clean will mean that your stainless steel lights will retain their beautiful, reflective appearance for many, many years.

Because of its inherent properties, stainless steel is a fantastic product for outdoor lighting. Obviously it doesn’t rust, but it’s also low cost, easy to maintain and above all else, looks fantastic.

As the darker nights start to disappear and we begin to spend more time in the garden, the first place to turn is some stunning stainless steel garden lights. Not only can they highlight your decking or patio, they can also provide security through carefully placed wall lighting that looks as good, as it is practical.

Stainless steel lighting doesn’t just work outside, it looks just as good inside the home too. We have lighting that uses this fantastic material in a huge variety of different styles which all look incredible.

Whether you’re a traditionalist or an ultra-modern minimalist, stainless steel can play a part in your decor. If you’re looking for a pendant, then take a look at our pieces from Endon or Forum, which cover both ends of the design scale.

Despite being with us for 100 years and more, stainless steel has never looked so good around the home. Whilst it obviously excels on the outside, with wall lights, spotlight or lampposts, it also finds itself perfectly at home on the inside too

It has been able to adapt itself to ceiling pendants, wall lamps and light switches, without losing its character. These days there are a myriad of options to choose from, but stainless steel can hold its own without any sort of mark against it.

Many of the lights we are proud to sell here at Castlegate Lights are specifically designed to allow you to show off your own unique style with bold, modern statements. The myriad of designs, the wealth of finishes and the sheer variety of styles all help you to illustrate your personality around your home. That said, there is an aspect of our lights that don’t do this. They hide out of view, but can play their part in illuminating any room in your house. We’re talking about recessed lighting.

If you’re choosing lights for your hallway, kitchen or bathroom, then you may already be familiar with recessed lights, but there is more to them than their insulated properties.

For those who don’t know, recessed lighting, sometimes known as downlighting, refers to the fixture which is set into the wall or ceiling. They are generally shaped like a drinks can, and include both the housing (the internal components) which you don’t see, and the outer fascia which you do. Together they form a recessed lighting that can offer an excellent source of ambient light.

Recessed lighting is a very smart lighting choice. As we said, it offers a fantastic source of ambient light, but they are also very flexible when it comes to accent lighting.  Their sleek profile means that, for those with lower ceiling or narrow rooms, recessed lighting can be a great choice. As technology improves and the fittings get smaller and thinner, they are beginning to offer illumination that is on par with many of their more visible counterparts.

Don’t think of recessed lighting as purely an ‘on’ or ‘off’ lighting choice. Thanks to dimmable lighting, like the ones from Astro, you can control the brightness and feel secure thanks to the fire rated ceiling fittings. This can work particularly well when you want to soften the mood with recessed lighting and also help to extend the life of your lightbulbs.

If you want to add recessed lighting in your bathroom or en-suite, then we also have some specific lights from Endon, which come in satin nickel or white, that are designed perfectly for the job. Equally, downlighters from Searchlight, which come in polished chrome, are incredibly stylish. Both of them can complement the clean lines in the smallest room in the house with lighting that is subtle, but practical, in equal measure.

Recessed lighting works just as well outside the home as it does on the in. If you’ve got half an eye on the summer months and are wanting to utilise (or even add) some decking, then recessed lighting adds something extra to your outdoor spaces. It allows you to extend your summer nights and enjoy the garden that little bit longer. Whether you want to go for low energy or high power, we have a range of Konstmide recessed spotlights that will add some stylish lighting to even the wildest garden.

If redecoration is high on your agenda this year, recessed lighting can provide you with a lighting option that you may not otherwise have thought about. They might not have the spectacle that other pieces might give you, but what they lack in statement, they more than make up for in minimalist style. Recessed lighting doesn’t have to stand out, to look good.

Ceiling lights, like many of the other lighting styles, come in a whole range of finishes and designs. Because of its position, the ceiling light all too often gets forgotten. Our gaze generally exists much lower in any room (unless you’re particularly tall), so the space ‘up there’ becomes a secondary thought for many. This doesn’t mean you should gloss over pendant lights, as they can make a real impression in your home. Let’s take a look at what you can get just ‘hanging around’.

Your home probably already has a number of different lighting styles; floor lamps, wall lamps or table lamps, but ceiling pendants sometimes get overlooked. Pendants are a great way to add, not only light, but beauty and elegance to any room.

Choosing the right ceiling fitting can be tricky, but you should look at this as a good thing. The sheer range of styles we have available can make choosing the one that suits your home perfectly a difficult one, but one that gives you a multitude of options.

Even a single light pendant can provide ambient lighting in your living room or bedroom, or you can go all-out and create a focal point that gives a large amount of light and a very bold statement.

Most ceiling pendants are found in kitchens or hallways, but their adaptability means you can use them well in any room you have. Even in bedrooms, which are usually the smaller rooms in the home, can benefit from a pendant. It may seem a little unconventional in these rooms, but with a suitably adjusted cable, you can add a very personal touch to a room that will be the epitome of your own personal style.

Pendant lighting comes in as many different styles as any other lighting we stock. Whether you want a single light, cluster, chandelier or even an LED bar, you can create so many different moods with your ceiling lights. This also applies depending on your decor.

If your home is a traditional style, then we have something for you. Whether you like brushed gold ring pendants, tiffany designs, beige silk shades with nickel finishes or beautiful chrome and clear acrylic in the classic ‘chandelier’ style. They’ll look incredible taking centre spot in your room or hallway.

For those for whom the interior of your home is more contemporary, then you are also spoilt for choice. In many ways, the light itself isn’t the deciding factor when buying a new ceiling fitting. It’s usually the surrounding pendant shade that draws the eye. From the simple, but elegant, Dar Lighting, with its white finish and large pendant surrounding 3 lights to their LED bar in polished chrome and crystal, will both look as good on the ceiling as they would be hanging above your dining table.

For you minimalists and those liking cutting-edge decor, then you could choose something like Dar’s Abraham light or even Endon Lighting’s LED dimmable pendant which comes in gloss white and frosted acrylic. They will both look amazing in any home.

If you’re looking for something that sits beautifully between the traditional and the contemporary, then our range from Franklite, with their wide-brimmed ceiling pendants, come in a range of finishes and styles, but all echo the classic lines of a pendant. All would add a real sense of style to your home.

A pendant light, regardless of the style you choose, are the perfect way to light any room in your home. Their usefulness combined with their ability to both blend in or stand-out, can make them a genuinely must-have in every room. If you’ve never considered a pendant before, take a look at our range and we’re sure you’ll find the perfect one for you.

When we talk about copper lighting, we’re not talking about blue flashing sirens, we’re talking about some incredibly sleek, elegant and modern lighting designs. The rise in popularity in copper lighting echoes the current trend for traditional materials that are being reclaimed and restyled for use in our homes.

Copper, like brass, is a very warm, reflective material. It gives a metal, which has previously been shunned from our homes, a new lease of life, not least in a range of lighting that suits every type of decor.

Copper lighting looks great integrated with those favouring industrial design cues like exposed brickwork, rustic beams, wooden or stone floors. From minimal designs through to modern colour schemes like dark greys and reds, copper lighting will bring a warmth and style to your home like no other form of lighting does.

It used to be that copper lighting was only seen in hip restaurants, hotels and bars, or in the kitchen with those quintessential copper pots and pans. Thankfully those days are over and we can now all enjoy the reflective glow that copper lighting gives us throughout the home.

Here at Castlegate Lights we have fully embraced copper lighting. You can now enjoy it in a huge array of designs from wall lights, copper fittings, table lamps, floor lamps and even candlesticks. Each of them range from traditional designs right through to cutting edge lighting that would complement any hipster’s home.

Copper, as a material, gives a warm inviting tone to your home. Other metals like chrome and steel can look a little cold, especially if your decor is more plain, but copper is the exact opposite. Copper can, for example, really stand out when used to accent a dark wall through wall lights or table lamps, which all help to soften the room without taking away the dramatic appearance.

If you’re looking to give your room a modern makeover, copper is a great choice for your lighting needs. Because of its popularity, once you’ve found the copper lighting you want from our huge range, you will be able to continue the trend with complementing accessories like cushions, mirrors and vases which will tie everything together in a beautiful copper glow.

Copper isn’t just aesthetically beautiful, it’s practical too. Because of its adaptable properties, copper lighting works even with the traditional ‘light shade’. More and more lighting, especially those made from copper, embrace its industrial roots. To demonstrate this, we have some stunning wall lights from David Hunt or pendants from Searchlight or Elstead that look simply amazing.

If your style is less industrial and more traditional, then copper can work for you too. Our range of flush ceiling lights and table lamps from Endon mean that you can also enjoy the style and warmth copper gives you in a way that will enhance your home.

Nowadays you can get your light fittings in almost every type of finish you can think. Copper might not have been top of your list, but when you look at the sheer range we have and the designs it’s now being used in, we think you’ll agree that no home should be without it.

Lighting, like fashion or food, comes in cyclical trends. The current ‘must have’ item one year. can easily be replaced the next. That’s not a bad thing. We all move with the ebb and flow of what we like and we decorate, and redecorate, our homes and ourselves to illustrate these changes over and over again.

When it comes to interior design, terms like ‘shabby-chic’ and ‘rustic’ can mean different things to different people. Here at Castlegate Lights, rustic means a range of stylish, well-crafted and an incredibly popular range of lights that includes stunning wall lights, beautiful ceiling lights and inspiring floor lamps.

Rustic, as a term, means something that is made in a plain and simple fashion. That’s not to say that rustic means it’s going to be bland or uninspiring, far from it. Rustic is a way of life that will bring a style to your home that is the exact opposite of boring.

Our range of rustic lighting shows that ‘plain and simple’ doesn’t do justice to the term. The finishes that are used in our rustic lighting cover everything from bronze, hammered brass right through to black metal and even concrete. Any well-designed lighting scheme will reflect its style in the warmth of its illuminated glow. Rustic lighting is no different.

Rustic lighting can really transcend history. If you’re one of those crazy modernists who like to display their reliance on this new-fangled electricity, then we can give you some beautifully well-made wall, ceiling or table lamps that look rustic, but also feel very modern. If you’re more of a traditionalist when it comes to your version of rustic, then we can help you too. Our range of Elstead lights look like you’re sticking with candlelight, but don’t worry, they really use three stunning onyx glass shades to resemble thick church candles. Either way, they look amazing.

One of the great things about rustic lighting, is the differences in styles that embrace it. If you’re looking for wall lights, then you can choose from porthole lights, urban, almost ‘steampunk’ style lamps or even very urban cement effect lights from Mantra. This diversity also covers the floor lamps and ceiling lights we stock. Whatever finishes you prefer, styles you favour or budget you’re looking to spend, all can be harmoniously catered for with our rustic styles.

If you’re feeling the rustic vibe, then you can go beyond lighting. We have a range of candle holders and mirrors that both complement the lights you’re using and helps to create a theme that is going to last longer than any fashion phase. You might think rustic only applies in old buildings in the country. We’re sure that, by looking at the fantastic range we have in stock, that this simply isn’t true.

Rustic might mean ‘plain and simple’ in a dictionary definition, but it also means stylish and contemporary. Modern and elegant. To us, rustic means beautiful lighting at fantastic prices. Come and take a look at exactly what we mean.

With Halloween just around the corner, our newly found love for all things spooky and kooky coincides nicely with the darker nights, especially when it comes to decorating your home in Halloween-centric lighting. It’s time to bring out your scary side and find out how to light the darker corners of your room and have some fun whilst doing it.

When it comes to Halloween, we’ve come a long way in a relatively short space of time. It’s hard to think of a time when Halloween was simply defined by knocking on a few doors with a scooped-out turnip asking for a penny. Today, we’re expected to decorate our homes, dress-up more than we would if we were going to a black-tie event and embrace all things eerie.

Christmas used to be the only time we really did any form of additional decoration to our homes, but now we have Halloween too. We don’t have to wait for the festive period to turn our homes into something frighteningly fun. At Halloween, for every fake spider’s web we add, there are some real lights that can really enhance the ghoulish atmosphere we strive to create.

There is far more to creating modern, yet atmospheric, Halloween lighting theme than some battery powered flickering candles. The range of lighting that is available can turn any home into an archetypal witches den. If you’re hosting a spook-tacular party or just joining in with your trick-or-treat visitors, we’ve got everything you need.

Whether you go for a series of string lights that drape ominously across your bookcases, fire surrounds or windows, or the more specifically Halloween-themed LED fairy lights that set the mood for your party. Halloween lighting has never been easier, or more affordable, to incorporate into your home.

Of course when it comes to colour, nothing says Halloween more than orange and purple. Orange always feel more apt when it comes to the witching hour. Whether that plays on our fondness for pumpkins or just because they look great in the darkness, orange lights seem to enchant every room. Thankfully, due to their energy efficiency and their cool-to-the-touch surroundings, LED lighting really works well when it comes to Halloween. Our range of string pumpkin lights or even our LED illuminated acrylic pumpkin that can be used outside really will set the tone.

Don’t limit your Halloween thinking to novelty lights, any style of copper lighting will add to the atmosphere on All Hallows’ Eve, but also work just as well throughout the year. Whether you’re using copper as the finish to your table lights or bringing it through with your ceiling pendant or shade, it really lends itself very well to any home.

On this October 31st, when Halloween is in full swing, whether you’re going for scares or not, there’s a perfect opportunity to illuminate your home that will shine a whole new light on the things that normally go bump in the night.