Hollis Semi-Flush Ceiling Light - 5 Lights - Heritage Brass, Opal Glass Elstead

Hollis is a Hinkley semi-flush ceiling light with five globe shades of etched opal glass, hung from the ends of flat arms that radiate from the centre. The steel frame has a Heritage Brass finish, a warm, matt brass, and each globe is held by a brass band. Elstead Lighting distributes the fitting in Europe.

Size and low ceilings

The fitting is 81.3 cm across and only 30.5 cm deep from the ceiling to the bottom of the globes. The maker designed it for rooms with lower ceilings: under a 250 cm ceiling more than 2 m of clear space remains below the globes. Compare the diameter with the size of the room or table, as the arm span is wider than that of a typical flush light.

The light weighs 4.2 kg and fixes to the ceiling with a round canopy in the same finish. It is a Class I fitting, so it must be connected to an earth conductor.

Bulbs

Each of the five globes holds an E14 lampholder for a bulb of up to 40 W, so up to 200 W in total. Bulbs are not included. The fitting accepts dimmable bulbs; you then also need a wall dimmer, and the colour and brightness are your choice — 2700 K gives a warm, yellowish light, 4000 K a neutral white that helps at a bathroom mirror.

The milky opal glass spreads the light in every direction and hides the shape of the bulb, so the five globes glow evenly without harsh glare.

Where it works

The fitting is rated IP44, meaning it is protected against splashing water, which is why the maker approves it for bathrooms, although it suits bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms just as well. Opal globes on brass arms are a vintage form recalling mid-twentieth-century lighting. The Hollis range also includes wall lights and versions with a black finish or clear seeded glass.