The Organo Alabaster Pendant Light

Light is the last thing most people plan and the first thing everyone feels when they walk into a room. This is how I approach it in the homes I design.

Never one light
I never light a room from a single point in the ceiling. I build it in three layers: a soft ambient glow, task light where you read, cook or dress, and accent light to lift art, joinery and texture. Alabaster is my favourite material for that first, atmospheric layer, because the stone itself becomes the light. In a living room I aim for at least five sources at different heights, so the room glows rather than shines.

Go up a size
Alabaster has far less visual weight than metal or glass, so I almost always choose the larger of two sizes. Over a dining table, I look for a light, or a group of lights, of roughly half to two thirds of the table's width. For a room with nothing beneath, add the length and width of the room in metres and use that figure in centimetres as a starting point for the diameter. When I group pendants, I work in threes or fives and stagger the drops by 10 to 20cm, so they feel collected rather than regimented.

Sit down before you hang
Over a table or island, I hang the bottom of the shade 75 to 90cm above the surface, but the real test is to sit down: you should see the face of the person opposite, never the bulb. Centre the light on the table, not the room, and if the ceiling point is in the wrong place, have it moved before you decorate. In a stairwell or double-height hall, remember the piece will be seen from above too, so choose one that is beautiful from every angle.

Frame, don't scatter
I use wall lights in pairs, to frame a bed, a mirror, a fireplace or a painting. I set them at around 150 to 170cm and line them up with the door heads or picture rail, which is one of those details you never notice but always feel. Beside a bed, 50 to 60cm above the mattress is perfect for reading and leaves the bedside table free for books and flowers.

The bulb is half the design
The wrong bulb will ruin the most beautiful light. I specify warm white LEDs of 2700K, or dim-to-warm bulbs that fall to around 2200K as they dim, for an evening glow close to candlelight. I look for a colour rendering index (CRI) of 90 or above, so stone, timber and fabric look as they should, and opal or frosted bulbs to avoid hot spots through the alabaster. Bulbs are not included unless the light has an integrated LED; the fitting is listed in the Specification.

Dim everything
If I could make only one change to most homes, it would be dimmers. Use a trailing-edge dimmer suitable for LED, and put pendants, wall lights and lamps on separate circuits, so you can move from bright morning light to a softly lit dinner and a low, late-evening glow.

Design the walls around it
Alabaster glows at its warmest against limewash, plaster, natural stone and warm whites, and I love it alongside travertine, walnut, oak, linen, bouclé and brushed brass. Cool greys and brilliant whites flatten it. Think, too, about the piece in daylight: switched off, it becomes sculpture, so choose a design you would want to look at even with the lights off.

Plan it early
I fix light positions at first fix, before any plastering. Natural stone is heavier than most lights, so check the weight in the Specification and make sure the ceiling or wall has proper support. All ceiling and wall lights must be hardwired by a qualified electrician, and they are for indoor use only (IP20).

Living with alabaster
Alabaster is soft and porous. Once the light is off and cool, I simply dust it with a soft, dry cloth or a brush, never water, sprays or polish, and handle shades with clean, dry hands. Each piece is carved from natural stone, so its veining, tone and translucency belong to your light alone.

Kunal

Pre-order and lead times

How does pre-order work?
Some of our pieces are sold on pre-order. You place your order and pay at checkout in the usual way, and your piece is dispatched within the lead time shown on the product page.

How long will my order take?
The lead time for each piece is shown on its product page and in your order confirmation. Our alabaster lighting is currently dispatched in 8 to 12 weeks. Furniture lead times vary by piece, and many of our pieces are dispatched within 3 to 4 weeks.

What if my plans change?
Pre-order pieces are covered by our Returns & Refunds policy in exactly the same way as any other purchase. If anything changes before your piece is dispatched, just email sayhello@kunal-trehan.com and we will help.

Is there a pre-order discount?
Selected pieces carry an introductory pre-order discount, shown on the product page and applied automatically at checkout. The discount is available for a limited period, after which the full price applies.

Will you keep me updated?
Yes. We will email you as your order progresses and contact you to arrange delivery once it is ready.

Can I order a pre-order piece with an in-stock item?
Yes. Orders containing a pre-order piece are usually delivered together once everything is ready. If you would prefer items sent separately, please contact us after ordering.

Delivery

Do you charge for delivery?
Delivery is complimentary to England, Wales and Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands. Delivery to Northern Ireland is £45 on orders up to £499.99, £95 on orders from £500 to £1,949.99, and £125 on orders of £1,950 and over, shown at checkout. See our Delivery Information page for full details.

Do you deliver internationally?
Yes, most of our pieces can be delivered internationally, including to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. International delivery is quoted individually: use the "Delivery outside the UK: request a quote" link on any product page, or email sayhello@kunal-trehan.com with the pieces you are considering and your delivery address. Import taxes and duties may apply and are the responsibility of the recipient.

Lighting

Are bulbs included?
No, unless the product page says the light has an integrated LED. The bulb fitting is listed in each product's specification. We recommend warm white LED bulbs of around 2700K. For more advice, open "How Kunal Would Style It" on any light.

Do I need an electrician?
Yes. Our ceiling and wall lights must be hardwired by a qualified electrician.

Can I use the lights in a bathroom or outside?
No. Our alabaster lights are rated IP20 for indoor use only.

Will my light look exactly like the photographs?
Alabaster is a natural stone, so the veining, tone and translucency of every piece are unique. Your light will share the design and finish shown, with its own natural character.

Can I get advice before I order?
Yes. Send us a photo or plan of your room and we will advise with our compliments, or book a 20-minute private styling appointment with one of our designers.

Can a light be customised?
Please get in touch using the "Customise" link on the product page and we will let you know what is possible.

How do I clean alabaster?
Dust with a soft, dry cloth once the light is switched off and cool. Avoid water and cleaning products, as the stone is porous.

Furniture

Will it fit through my door?
Please measure every door, hallway, stair turn and lift on the way to the room, including the diagonal depth of the piece. The full measurements are in the Dimensions tab on each product page. If you are unsure, send us photos of the access and we will check it for you.

Can a piece be made in a different fabric or size?
Many of our pieces can be tailored. Use the "Customise" link on the product page and tell us what you have in mind.

How do I care for natural stone?
Travertine and marble are porous. Use coasters, wipe up spills straight away and clean only with a soft, damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner.

Orders, payment and returns

How do I pay?
You can pay securely online at checkout. Pre-order pieces are paid for when you place your order.

What is your returns policy?
Standard pieces, including pre-orders, can be returned within 14 days of delivery if they are unused and in their original packaging. Please see our Returns & Refunds page for full details.

How do I request a return?
Sign in to your account, open the order and choose Request return, or email sayhello@kunal-trehan.com with your order number. We will review your request and email you the next steps.

What if my piece arrives damaged?
Please check your delivery on arrival and let us know straight away at sayhello@kunal-trehan.com, with photographs if possible. We will put it right.

Trade

Do you offer trade pricing?
Yes. Interior designers, architects, specifiers and retailers can apply for a trade account on our Trade Program page. Once approved, your trade pricing is applied automatically whenever you are signed in. See our Trade Terms.

Still have a question?

Our team is here to help. Email us at sayhello@kunal-trehan.com.