Wall Lamps

We here at Sparks sell items both online and via our trade counter in Holloway Road, London. When purchasing items online, we all have experienced disappointment to a certain extent, for the product may not be as described, it would stop working after an hour - it might even be the wrong item entirely. However, when it comes to online sales for electrical goods, these mistakes can turn out to be dangerous, so extra care must be taken. The statistics are scary when it comes to counterfeit scams online - approximately one-third of the UK population has fallen victim to these ploys. Meanwhile, one in seven Brits experience loss or serious damage caused by electrical appliances bought from e-commerce stores. It is obvious that some online retailers are not doing their part to keep their customers safe. We at Sparks can warmly offer advice on how to avoid counterfeit scams online. Before you even start browsing for online goods, make sure you are using a credit card or a PayPal account to pay, as your purchases will be insured. The rise of counterfeit scams online In the past few years, there has been an upturn in the number of counterfeit products sold online. Fake electrical goods are far more susceptible to having incorrect or faulty parts. This is extremely dangerous; so far, there are 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries caused by faulty electrical goods annually in the UK. A large portion of this damage can be attributed to risky fake purchases. Scam artists have spotted this opportunity as more customers look to find a bargain online. When people buy items from a lesser-known source, they could be in for a nasty surprise. Top tips for spotting if an item may be fake or counterfeit online Think about the price - if the price is too good to be true then it probably is! A product that costs significantly less than the high street retail price may be a fake. Remember: reviews can be convincingly faked. Use vendors that have been ‘verified’ by a trusted site, as they have cross-referenced that person’s selling history with their reviews. Review sites such as Trustpilot and Feefoo are known to be reliable. Make sure there is a full address, and not just a PO box number for the item. Some countries have lax regulations and are more likely to produce counterfeit goods than the UK. Remember that not all sites ending in ‘co.uk’ are based in the UK. Carefully read the product guarantees, sellers’ terms and conditions, returns policies and privacy statements. Be wary of vendors claiming their item is ‘genuine’, ‘real’ or ‘authentic’. Reputable retailers do not need to label their wares as such, as it is presumed they are authentic. Avoid buying second-hand products in cases where the guarantee has run out: you have no idea what condition it may be in. Check the site is a member of an online retail accrediting body, as they have to follow certain service standards. During online sales, the payment page should have a padlock symbol at the bottom. This is to signal that the site is secure: if there is no padlock sign do not enter your payment details. Keep records of your online orders. This article from the Telegraph goes into more detail about organisations that vet retailers such as Internet Shopping is Safe (ISIS). Thankfully, ISIS accredited retailers now account for around two-thirds of all UK online exchanges.Safely Buy Lights Online Top tips for checking if you’ve bought a counterfeit item Examine the packaging and item closely. Signs an item is fake include flimsy packaging or shoddy printing. If you are suspicious then check for a picture of the item online from a trusted high-street retailer. Check for the safety certification label, on both the item and the package. All electrical goods ought to have one of these if they have been made by a legitimate manufacturer. Ensure that everything is as it should be. Fake products often do not supply standard supplementary material such as a manual or a product registration card. Check that you have received a standard three-pin UK plug or charger (if the item was purchased from a UK retailer). Keep in mind that if you spent more than £100 on your credit card, you can hold both the trader and credit card company responsible, if the sale goes badly. If the product isn’t working properly or keeps on cutting out, turn it off immediately. Do the same if it speeds up without warning, if the outer case is hot to the touch, or if it is emitting smoke. Trust your instinct. If something else unsettles you about the purchase, there is probably a good reason. Visit the high street to compare the product to those in sale in store. Actions to take once you have realised you’ve purchased a fake item online Act immediately - contact the supplier and state your case, demanding an explanation. It is possible there was a mix up that they can clarify and resolve. Demand a refund in a civil but firm way. It is your legal right to receive a full refund if you have bought a counterfeit item If the seller refuses to refund your counterfeit item, then contact the retailer that manages that marketplace (such as Amazon, ebay, etc). These trusted retailers are able to intervene on your behalf. If they are unable to help, phone the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for advice on taking further action. If the seller is a member of accreditation body ISIS, then you can ask them to look into your complaint. Report the item you purchased as a fake to Trading Standards so that they can take action against the seller. You will be protecting their next potential victim by doing so. The final resort is taking the seller to court, which will cost you further expenses. If you have a good case and win, however, your court costs will be reimbursed.Buy the Tate Wall Lamp Online Returning recalled items You should take an inventory of your electrical home appliances and then check if the product has been issued for a recall using this checker. The most commonly recalled items include electrical chargers, adapters, extensions and spare product leads. Also in the list are small kitchen appliances such as toasters, kettles and irons. Statistics show that UK homeowners do not keep track of product recalls. The average success rate of a UK product recall is only 10-20%, which means there are thousands of potentially dangerous appliances still in use. Remember to utilize the product recall checker linked above to make sure you are not putting yourself at risk. A reminder of your rights and how to get recourse for counterfeit goods If an item is fake or broken when it arrives, you have the legal right to a repair, replacement and/or full refund for the item. You can utilise the Citizens Bureau, the manufacturer or Trading Standards to pursue your complaint. When buying from any company in the EU, European Law will protect you from counterfeit goods in many circumstances. Check out the UK European Consumer site to know your rights. Understanding your rights as a buyer is crucial to guaranteeing you do not fall victim to counterfeit scams online. And if you do, there are plenty of actions of recourse you can take, as detailed in this article.

Neil Poulton is a Scottish designer based in Paris, France, who operates off the idea of creating ‘deceptively simple-looking mass-produced objects’, and has won a multitude of international design awards in his efforts to do so. Poulton is best known for his designs in the fields of technology and lighting design and holds a long-standing relationship with Artemide, that dates back to the early 90’s. This fruitful relationship has resulted in some classic Artemide lighting pieces including the Artemide Talo Parete wall light, the Microsurf and the Surf Wall Light, the last of which won international plaudits and raised Poulton’s reputation greatly. In 2008, he was recognised by TIME magazine as one of the world’s most influential designers, in large part due to his work with Artemide.Note: some of the Artemide Lights below may no longer be available at Sparks; see the full designer lighting collection and the Artemide Lights. The Surf Wall Lighting System In 1999, Neil Poulton won the French ‘janus de l’industrie’, (which is translated to the ‘Label of Excellence’) for his work in designing the acclaimed Surf Wall light. The Surf Wall Light has gained a stellar reputation in the lighting world, being nicknamed ‘the King of Indoor Lighting’, it can be found in hotels and restaurants across the world. Many have hailed it as the most brilliant wall-mounted luminaries ever created: high praise indeed! The Surf Wall light fills Poulton's criteria of being ‘deceptively simple-looking’ without a doubt, with a modest size, slight upward-curve and minimalist design. However, the hidden qualities are what make the Surf Wall a masterpiece of design. It features an elegant, embossed scratch-proof finish along its finely painted aluminium surface. Fully LED retrofitted, it offers a classic modernist style and functionality that has made it popular the world over.Buy Artemide Lights at Sparks The Artemide Talo Parete Wall LightIn 2002, Neil Poulton designed the Talo Parete Halo wall lamp, which was hailed by critics as another design classic, with its ultra-modern aesthetic and sleek construction. The body is constructed of two extruded aluminium parts, connected by the end pieces of die-cast aluminium, to add to its marvellous and slightly surreal aesthetic. It is a cleverly designed shape; a compact oblong that can fit onto the wall while taking up minimal space. It provides diffused upward and downward lighting, that allow for its indirect light emission to gift you a calming indoor lighting solution. The Microsurf Wall Light The Microsurf is another excellent example of Poulton’s ability to make the most out of minimalist designs. From a design perspective, the piece is minimal and uncomplicated; a discreet upward curving shape that resembles the surf of water breaking upon a shoreline. Once again this showcases why Poulton is so highly rated as a designer: he finds a way to make a simple concept beautiful, practical and intriguing. The Microsurf also impresses with its forward-thinking design aspects: it comes fully equipped with LED technology and is characterised by its energy efficiency and longevity.Buy Designer Lighting at Sparks Neil Poulton's Legacy in Design and Lighting Undoubtedly, Neil Poulton has a well-earned reputation, having won numerous awards, including seven French ‘Observer of Design’, two ‘Best of Best’ Red Dot Design Awards, and five German ‘IF’ International Forum Design prizes. He also won various awards for his Veio lamp in 2011, a completely new artistic take on what modern lighting could be. The design is reminiscent of miniature goalposts, perfect for sprucing up your desk area, and won many accolades and press attention at its release. Neil Poulton visionary designs have flourished, in particular when working in conjunction with Artemide. His bold, award-winning designs have made him an esteemed figure in lighting and many of his Artemide pieces will be long held in reverence in the design industry. More on Neil Poulton (and especially his lighting design and legacy) can be found via the Artemide website here. You can purchase some of the Neil Poulton's lighting fixtures on our website here.

A few years ago, the main argument, when it came to the return of traditional style lighting, was whether the old-school charm they offered could justify the weak, faint light of their iridescent bulbs. In a review on LumReview, the author states he loves the candle-style light offered by vintage bulbs ‘as much as the next guy’, but the poor lighting they offered made them a relic that should remain in the past. This traditional vs LED lighting argument raged as interior decorators continued to favour the stylish decadence of traditional lighting: the swinging pendants, the classy metal cages - they all remained in demand from consumers. Furious LED advocates were adamant that there was no questioning the advantages of LED lighting. LEDs had a longer-lasting lifespan, better energy efficiency, improved safety, superior colour rendering - the list goes on. Vintage-style lighting versus LEDs - an antiquated argument? However, the question must be asked - why does this have to be framed as an argument between LEDs and traditional light styling? Can we not have the best of both worlds? You may have noticed the resurgence in vintage-style lamps, that actually contain LED lights which accurately resemble the old-school filaments of iridescent bulbs. SparksDirect offers a plethora of these so-called ‘traditional style’ lamps, for instance, the Bronte range of lights. These include models such as the Bronte Rectangular Outdoor Ceiling Flush Light, which boasts a clear glass case to showcase a vintage E27 light, which can in fact take a GLS energy-saving clear light bulb. LED fans can protest as much as they wish, but vintage-style lighting is simply not going anywhere. They undeniably provide a certain tranquil atmosphere and are absolutely perfect for restaurants, pubs and various traditional eating spots for an extra sprinkling of ambience. Huge names in retailing such as GE, Phillips, IKEA and Cree have all leapt in on the ‘vintage style’ trend, giving them their own legitimate categories.Buy the Bronte Ceiling Light Best of Both Worlds: Vintage-style LEDs in Traditional Lights There are in fact valid reasons that the combination of vintage-style lighting and LEDs could be a perfect alliance. A typical LED bulb, which cost only a few pounds, can now last for decades potentially, meaning that people will have to switch out their light bulbs less and less often. Huge manufacturers, such as IKEA, have jumped onto the vintage train as they know it means people who don’t need to purchase a new bulb will do so if they want a new light for their new vintage pendant light. What it really boils down to is aesthetics: the traditional style for a light fitting have a distinctive design, well known to frequenters of any trendy bar or restaurant - or even some older and more traditional houses, such as a manor house, traditional homes, etc. This design gives a crystal clear view of the bulb, and LED bulbs have got increasingly competent at producing fancy-looking fake filaments. For instance, the Felt vintage line twist filaments around each other in artful double helices that really espouse a certain class. There are inevitable problems that arise with vintage-style LED bulbs with fake filaments; for instance they rarely combine with the dimmer switches in smooth fashion. The illusion of a ‘candle like’ light is definitely squashed when the LED bulb starts buzzing sporadically as you try to dim it. Issues like this can be caused by electromagnetic interference from the dimmer switch, which standard LEDs aren't susceptible to, but decorative LEDs are. Whatever the arguments against the resurgence of vintage-style LEDs, they undeniably add a polished touch of class to your home. For instance, on the Sparks Direct website, you can purchase a Richmond Black Lantern to be hung in your garden to create a retro-chic ambience with warm white light, which can all be powered by a simple E27 vintage LED lamp.Buy the Richmond Black Lantern Further reading on this topic: The argument against iridescent vintage lamps (via LuxReview) Reasons why LED lights are considered superior (via Stouchlighting) Why vintage lights are not going anywhere (via CNET) The advantages of LED vintage lights over traditional bulbs (via selectionled)

Do you fancy a different color for your wall lights? We at Sparks offer quite a lot of plaster light fittings and ceramic lights which can be painted to complement the interior design of your room or space. They are called "paintable lights", and painting such fittings will not invalidate your warranty, provided that no technical parts have been tempered with. But when you intend to paint a certain plaster wall light or ceramic light fitting, you need to take care of a few matters; they are porous materials, so there are a few processes that are recommended in order to obtain a quality painted finish. The following guide is based on the Astro Lighting painting guide, which we find very helpful. Painting your Light Fittings - General Rules First: don't paint the plaster or ceramic fitting while it is fitted to the wall. This is not recommended, for it may leave unsightly cracks around the edge of the product, and this may result in unwanted light spill. Second: if there are some dark marks on the plaster or ceramic fitting, it is recommended that you remove them. You can do this by either using a clean white eraser or P600 grit sandpaper (if the marks are heavier). If you don't remove the dark spots or marks, they may show through the paint. Third: take care when handling the plaster light fitting or ceramic parts, since these materials are naturally brittle. Handle with care. Fifth: Please mark off any electrical components, such as lampholders, LED lamps, etc. Sixth: after painting, make sure you remove the masking tape with care, to make sure the edges are even and straight. These are some general rules which should be followed no matter what kind of fitting you wish to paint. Let us see some more specific rules when it comes to painting Plaster Lights or Ceramic Lights with either spray paint finish or emulsion finish. Buy Paintable Lights at SparksBest Practice for Spray Painting the Paintable Plaster Lights First of all, here are some of the best practices for a spray paint finish for plaster lights, that is, when you wish to spray-paint your plaster light fitting: Spray Primer: Use two wet coats of white high build spray primer to seal the plaster surface. Priming on the Inside: Apply primer to the inside of the plaster part – this will make masking easier when applying the colour paint on top. Wait to dry: Allow to dry before applying the next coat. Masking tape: Use masking tape to mask off all internal surfaces to preserve original light colour, brightness and pattern. Spray Color Paint: Use a spray colour coat on top (must be compatible with primer). Multiple coats may be required to achieve desired finish. Best Practice for Emulsion Painting the Paintable Plaster Light Fittings Primer: Use a plaster sealer primer, brushed or rolled on. One coat should be enough. Wait to Dry: Allow to dry before applying top colour coat. Masking Tape: Use masking tape to mask off all internal surfaces to preserve the original light colour, brightness and pattern. Paint the Fitting: Apply colour emulsion on top, this can be rolled or brushed on. Please note: if you're using a brush, it may create a different texture. Multiple coats may be required to achieve desired finish. Best Practice for a Spray Paint for Paintable Ceramic Light Fittings Remove Sanding Marks: Remember, some sanding marks in the ceramic surface may show through. Remove any deep sanding marks on the surface using P600 grit sandpaper. Apply the Primer: Apply one coat of high build spray primer to seal the ceramic surface. Ceramic is slightly less porous than plaster. Spray-Paint the Fitting: Apply a spray colour coat on top (this must be compatible with primer). Multiple coats may be required to achieve the desired finish. Best Practice for an Emulsion Finish for Paintable Ceramic Light Fittings Remove Sanding Marks: Some sanding marks in the ceramic surface may show through. Remove any deep sanding marks on the surface using P600 grit sandpaper. Apply the Primer: Apply one coat of high build spray primer to seal the ceramic surface. Ceramic is slightly less porous than plaster. Paint the Fitting: Apply colour emulsion on top, this can be rolled or brushed on. Please note: if you're using a brush, it may create a different texture. Multiple coats may be required to achieve desired finish. Find the paintable ceramic lights here; as for the plaster light fittings, you can find them either via Wall Lights or Ceiling Lights on our website.Full range of Paintable Lights

In this economy, setting up a home bar might sound like an impossible extravagance, but if you're the entertaining type, it might just be worth the investment. It's more comfortable at home, for a start, and on a Friday night, it would be like having a night out only with your friends in a cosy setting. Decoist has a wonderful (as usual) post for inspiration, so take a look over there and if it's something you think you might want, come back here for tips on how to recreate that cosy bar atmosphere - and maybe even improve on it. The Basic Principles  We've covered the basics of lighting a bar for commercial purposes before and the same basic principles apply to the home version. Let's talk about them briefly. Pendants and chandeliers will provide just enough ambient lighting to see by, but little enough for that all-important atmosphere. As to the question of how low (or high) to hang those lights: aim for eye level to reduce glare. Unlike a commercial bar, you have the research opportunity: measure your tallest and shortest friends and hang the pendant so the light sits in the midpoint. And if you'll be displaying your selection behind the bar, accent lighting can illuminate the bottles to make them look more attractive. Strips of warm white LED lights hanging underneath the shelves are basically invisible and more importantly: very lovely.LED Lights and LED Lighting The Personal Details Now you've got a handle on the basic principles of lighting a bar to make it look great, but you have a little more freedom in your own home, so we can go a little bit wild. If you're playing some games like poker or blackjack or Snakes and Ladders, spotlights mounted on the walls around the space will provide the illumination needed to properly and fairly compete. In fact, wall lights in general offer something different from commercial pubs in terms of general lighting. The principle behind their mounting height is the opposite of the ceiling lamps: mount a wall lamp above eye level to cut down on uncomfortable glare. Plinth lighting set within the bar is always a nice touch, and we especially condone the use of coloured lights to make your home bar a little bit different from most. There are many other innovative ways to light a bar, and these are just a few of them. If you have ideas, sound off in the comments! But the two most important questions to ask yourself before starting this new project are: "What style am I going for?" and "With what shall I stock it?"