Antler Light Fixtures - Types of Lights Antler light fixtures range from desk lamps to full-sized chandelier style antler lights. Antler light fixtures come in a wide variety of styles and sizes because antlers are a natural product and they too come in many different sizes and styles. In fact when using natural antlers, by definition, no two antler light fixtures will exactly match each other - it is what it is - and that's why antler lights fit so well into rustic decor - that style of interior design which features organic natural shapes and avoids the exact and linear.
A large central antler light fixture could be the feature of a large lodge room. It would need quite a large space, and importantly a high stud or ceiling to really show of a piece of this size. You will also need to make sure that the fixture is securely attached as a large antler light is quite heavy - these are antlers of large animals after all.
If you don't have such a large space than maybe you should consider getting a smaller antler light- a single antler can be used to be the base of a side light or bedside light. A bed side antler light could look really good with a log style bed maybe in distressed wood. The important thing is to consider how the antler light that you are thinking about will fit with the rest of your interior design. You can also get antler light fixtures which are side lamps or even desk lamps.
A side lamp stand incorporating an antler will likely be a combination of product because the antler will not give sufficient height to the side lamp or light. Instead an antler floor light might include a base of natural wood or even brass. A number of floor lamps can provide better spot lighting for a room rather than a single large light fixture suspended in the middle of the room. It depends on the size and style of your room and the placement of furniture as well as the windows for you to know which places are right for your lighting design.
Antler Light Fixtures - Faux
Faux or fake antler lights are becoming increasingly popular. Natural antlers are shed by deer, mule, moose and caribou annually - usually in December. The animals shed the antlers to survive the long hard winter and then re-grow their antlers in time for the next mating season. The antlers are a way for the males of these species to demonstrate their health and vitality- the strongest animals grow the largest antlers. Unfortunately all the antler-bearing animal species are under threat in North America and its becoming increasingly harder to source natural antlers for use in furniture and light fittings. This means, that like any product which is short-supply and high demand, antlers have become more and more expensive in recent years. Short of rustic interior design falling out of favour it seems likely that the price of natural antlers is going to remain high.
The alternative is to consider a man-made antler light fixture. The best fake antler lights are molded from real antlers and are then hand painted and detailed. Faux antlers, as is common with man-made options to traditional, natural products, are of course a lot cheaper than than a real antler. Purists may be shocked but the reality is that the development of faux antlers mean that many more people can afford antler lighting and furntiures for their homes - than could in the past.
Faux antlers are also considerably lighter than a real antler. A lighter piece of furniture or lighting makes the antler product easier to ship and to install. Traditional antler light fixtures must be attached to very strong beams with heavy duty cable - this is not so much the case with faux antler products.
Antler Lights and Interior Design
Rustic or country interior design is always popular with Americans craving the simpler lifestyle or their ancestors. Rustic design which often features antler lights and furniture is all about getting back to basics: to that lodge or country home many do not own anymore . This probably explains the trend to including elements of rustic design and antler lighting into modern city homes. To do this successfully involves some thought and planning. A full sized antler light fixture in the middle of a modern open-plan living room may look out of place. Instead consider smaller lights - maybe antler side-lights - which suggest the style rather than the full-blown kit out of antler lighting in the rustic design in a city room.