Cawdor E27 Pendant Light 30cm Opal - Polished Chrome

Flat panes of opal glass give this shade its hexagonal outline, and the milky glass softens the lamp behind it so the light spreads gently rather than glaring. The suspension and ceiling cup are polished chrome, with red used as a contrast note against the pale glass. At 30cm across it sits in a useful middle ground, with enough presence to serve as the main light in a room without filling it. It takes an E27 lamp of up to 20W, and the drop can be set short under a low ceiling or long over a table.

We would hang it over a dining table or a kitchen island, where the width of the opal glass throws a good pool of light onto the surface below. It suits a hallway or a landing just as well, and the generous drop makes it worth thinking about beside a bed where floor space is too tight for a lamp table. Paired with a dimmable lamp and a compatible dimmer it will come down to a low, warm level for the evening. Keep it to rooms that stay dry, away from splashes and steam.

Opal glass and bright polished chrome carry the whole look, and the metal picks up daylight from a nearby window. Dust the shade with a soft cloth, lift marks with a barely damp one, then dry the chrome straight afterwards so the shine keeps its edge. It carries a two year warranty. The rest of the range runs to flush fittings, in finishes from matt black and matt white through antique copper, antique brass, satin nickel and pewter, and in wine glass, jar, globe and diamond shades, so a hall and a living room can be handled with one family of fittings. Lamps are not supplied.

What size lamp does it take?

An E27 screw lamp, up to 20W. LED is the sensible choice, and shapes such as GLS A60, globe G80, ST64 or tubular T45 and T185 all suit the shade.

Can I dim it?

Yes, provided you fit a dimmable lamp and a dimmer matched to it. Neither the lamp nor a dimmer is supplied.

How far does it hang down?

The drop can be set anywhere from 320mm to 1690mm, so it works under low ceilings and over tall stairwells alike.

How wide is the shade?

The hexagonal glass measures 300mm in diameter, and the fitting weighs 1.2kg.

Is it suitable for a bathroom?

No. It is an indoor fitting for dry rooms only, so choose something rated for damp conditions in a bathroom or shower room.

How should I clean the glass?

Switch off at the wall and let everything cool, then dust with a soft cloth. For fingerprints, a barely damp cloth followed by a dry one keeps the opal glass clear and the chrome bright.