Wall Lights

In a living room or hallway, mount the centre of the fixture 60 to 66 inches from the floor, roughly eye level standing. Beside a bed, drop to 48 to 52 inches so light falls on the page. Flanking a mirror, mount at 64 to 68 inches.

Six to eight feet apart along a corridor or a long wall, so the pools of light overlap rather than leaving dark gaps. In a living room, a pair flanking a sofa or fireplace does more than a single fitting placed centrally.

Projection is how far the fitting stands out from the wall. In a narrow hallway or beside a staircase, anything over five inches becomes something people walk into. In a wide room, deeper projection gives better spread. Tell us the corridor width and we adjust the arm.

They are rarely bought singly. Pairs are finished by hand from the same batch of metal so the colour agrees, which matters most with antique and patina finishes.

Antique brass and patina finishes hide the marks wall fittings inevitably collect. Polished brass and gilt read formal and reflect well in a foyer but show fingerprints. Blackened iron and verdigris suit terraces and powder rooms.