Vancouver Oct. 2014

Although decorative lighting is likened to
jewelry for a home, so far we can’t see
pendant lamps or sconces sauntering down
catwalks and they rarely make it into fashion
magazines. What a pity, because decorative
lighting is gorgeous, especially fixtures that
hail from the world’s high-design kingdoms
like Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.
Lighting designed in Europe has always
possessed a special mystique. It’s where talented
imagineers grow up in the cool shade
of tradition and glide toward a future all their
own. But there’s an important consideration
to keep in mind when ordering from Europe
directly: Plug one of those sleek or sparkling
creations into your wall and you might find
yourself in the Dark Ages.
As many know, Europeans build their creations
around a completely different style
of wiring than North Americans do. That’s
where Canadian lighting conversion comes
in. Eurolite in Toronto, one of the busiest
lighting showrooms and workshops in North
America, serves as a kind of Ellis Island for
exotic fixtures on their way to designers, consumers,
and retail showrooms across the continent.
They not only transform lighting for
North American outlets; they stay ahead of
the trends and, being the exclusive dealer of
brands from both continents, supply us with
some of the finest finds from both sides of the
pond. We asked them which European styles
are most popular and what you need to know
before you turn your sofa into a front row seat
at a fashion show for lights.
左 上 :Zabriskie Point 的 玻 璃 吊 燈 , 由 意 大 利 設 計 師
Denis Santachiara 設 計 。 上 圖 : 德 國 品 牌 Tobias Grau
的 懸 掛 式 吊 燈 。
Above left: Zabriskie Point, exploding glass effect
chandelier, designed by Italian Denis Santachiara.
Above: Falling Leaf Suspension pendant by German
brand Tobias Grau.
Tips:
Be sure the European lighting you’re buying has been certified by a Canadian lighting inspector
during its “immigration.” If the lighting you bring home is not certified, the fixture could
cause an electrical fire that would not be covered by insurance.
Some fixtures are impossible to convert for use in North America. Consult your interior
designer or a company like Eurolite before you set your heart on a particular creation.
eurolite.com