What Lit Up Salon Art+Design Show? These 7 Floral Chandeliers

By Jill Brooke

Salon Art + Design, the prestigious fair in New York, showcasing the finest art, architecture, and design from leading galleries worldwide, is always catnip for designer lovers. Part of the reason is that its leader Jill Bokor cherry-picked what designers can participate in the event that only has sixty-two installations. Therefore it feels both intimate and accessible. Like a home.

But this year, as guests visited the Park Avenue Armory for the 12th year, there were many kudos given for the extraordinary flower-inspired fixtures.

Greeting guests was an extraordinary chandelier created by Cox London. Inspired by magnolia leaves, it literally is a showstopper from the lighting and furniture company. “We are always inspired by botanicals,” says Cox London founder Chris Cox. He and his wife Nicola were sculptor-makers who pivoted to forging natural form with interior beauty in such inspiring ways.

And using magnolia leaves seems to be trending. “It’s always a popular flower, especially during the holiday season,” notes florist Yossi Benhamou, from New York’s Matles Florist. Floratorium’s Carlos Franqui also used magnolia leaves as a focal point for his live flowers.

What else had a magnolia theme?

This magnolia leaf wall lighting by Nana Lure was a nice accent to drape and illuminate any vase of flowers or home decor. Particularly appreciated how the designers at Spazio Nobile Gallery intuitively knew to arrange the flowers sweeping toward the lighting fixture. So much of design is layering and creating an eco-system. The wall mirror also sweeps to the left so the overall effect stops you in your tracks. It almost makes you want to dance to a groove.

Todd Merrill Studio also charms and this year is no different. Here we have yet another floral-inspired chandelier. Staff at the showroom also commented on how floral chandeliers were in abundance. While this one was a darker tone, it had that botanical inspiration that was free-flowing and modern.

Another winner was from Garde which seemed to float down from the clouds above and put a lovely spotlight on the nearby painting that oozed calm and intrigue.

Of course, when you think of botanicals, your thoughts drift to something green. The color of nature. This is why many applauded this green floral chandelier from Karl Kemp. It’s so easy to match with anything in a home, whether it’s art or in a kitchen. Plus was also drawn to the tulip candle holders on the mantle.

This piece by Maison Rapin felt both airy and intricate. It also helped showcase other pieces in their salon including the botanical mirrors.

Matthieu Lehanneur told me he had wanted to create a flower-inspired chandelier for some time. But since he wanted something “original” and practical, inspiration had eluded him. Until now. Until this piece. “It’s as though the petals are unfurling and bringing light,” he commented. Furthermore, light hits this piece in unexpected ways while also having an interior source heating up the design.

Throughout history, flowers have been the muse of artists for both contemporary and classic design. As Christopher Cox says, “you can’t have art without nature.” With so many varieties, designers have so many options to choose from in their pursuit of the new and the pursuit of making clients happy. After all, connecting to nature is both calming and roots us to beauty.

Jill Brooke is a former CNN correspondent, Post columnist and editor-in-chief of Avenue and Travel Savvy magazine. She is an author and the editorial director of FPD and a contributor to Florists Review magazine.