Scandinavian Iron and Wood Pendant

A matte metal shade with a wood-grain accent at the collar. The two materials do different jobs: the metal keeps the outline clean and the shade thin, while the wood breaks up what would otherwise be an entirely cold fixture.

The shade directs light downward into a defined circle rather than washing it sideways, which is what makes it useful over a worktop, a breakfast bar or one end of a dining table. There is no glare from a seated position because the source stays hidden inside the cone. The wood accent is a genuine veneer rather than a printed finish, so the grain catches light slightly differently depending on the angle you view it from. Because the shade sits low and close to the worktop, it also throws a tighter, more defined pool than a pendant hung higher would.

Two finishes. White is the quieter of the two and lets the wood accent carry the character, which suits a pale kitchen. Black is more graphic and holds a hard outline against a light ceiling, pairing well with black taps and handles elsewhere in the room. A run of two or three along an island reads better than a single fixture. Installation should be carried out by a competent person, with the circuit isolated before work begins.

• Product type: Pendant ceiling light
• Colours available: White, Black
• Materials: Matte metal shade with wood grain accent
• Light: Directed downward, no glare from below
• Use: Kitchens, dining areas, living spaces, breakfast bars
• Installation: To be fitted by a competent person; isolate the circuit before work
• In the box: 1 x pendant light, fixings