You may remember me talking about VOGA late last year – they are a company that produce replicated design classics in a really considered way. I spoke about my thoughts on mid-century designs that are legally replicated in a way that honours rather than ‘steals’ the original designer’s work and there was a rather wonderful discussion that ensued in both the comments of the post as well as on both Facebook and Twitter. It was great hearing everyone’s take on it and I really appreciate that the conversation was handled in a mature, respectful fashion. It’s absolutely okay to disagree with me on this subject matter – it’s a weighty topic and I don’t believe there’s really one clear cut answer.
However, as I said in that post, I’ve been working with VOGA and they were kind enough to allow me to try one of their products for review. I chose the Serge Mouille MCL-R6 ceiling light – it’s a design that I’ve loved in so many spaces I’ve seen around the web for the way it’s sexy long arms stretch around a space, adding a rock n’ roll edge when paired with more ornate designs. I thought it would be absolutely perfect – if a little bit mad – in my black bedroom.
I wanted the light’s modern masculinity to contrast against our ceiling so I chose a rather large ornate Victorian ceiling rose to pair with it. That juxtaposition between modern design and ornate classical design just works SO well. It’s a contrast that I love about Christine Dovey’s work and one I wanted to capture in here.
The light itself is stunning. It’s really well made and looks ‘the part’ – it’s heavy but not ridiculously so and the smooth matt finish is perfectly contrasted with those small brass bolts that meet the sculptural heads.
At night, the light it gives off in the room is amazing – it really illuminates the entire space and turning a few heads towards the ceiling washes that light over everything. We have it on a dimmer so reducing it to a subtle glow makes the room look even cosier than it did before.
The only problem (and one that I entirely take the blame for) is that I feel it might be just a bit *too* big for the room. I was keen on having an oversized light fitting in here – if there’s one way to add drama to a room, it’s by choosing something slightly over large to really make an impact. But I may just have gone a bit too big in this instance!
I’m going to live with it as it is for a week or so – it may be that I’m simply not used to seeing it in the space (we only put it up on Saturday so that’s yesterday as I write the post). It’s always good to live with things for a little while to give you time to develop a more ‘objective’ opinion. If at the end of that time, I still feel it’s a bit too big, then we might make some adjustments to it (possibly swapping the lower arms with a couple of the higher ones to move them closer to the ceiling, possibly shortening the longest arms or bending the arms with a pipe bender to a 45 degree angle rather than a 90 degree angle so they sit closer to the ceiling, possibly removing those longest arms altogether) – and ya know… I actually feel terrible just typing that out because the light as it is really is beautiful.
However, everything you put into your home should work for the way that you live and while I would love to have 12 foot high ceilings to make this work, that’s probably not going to happen any time soon! Again, this is my own fault and one I fully take the blame for – I should have measured more carefully but I was so caught up in having this gorgeous light that obviously practicalities went out the window! LOL!
Don’t get me wrong – by British standards, this isn’t a tiny room by any means (in fact, it’s the largest room in our home at 4.4 metres x 3.6 metres or 14ft 6 in x 11 ft 10in) – but if I were to do it again, I’d choose the 3 arm design that VOGA also sells at a mere £169. It’s slightly smaller although it still gives that amazing Serge Mouille impact that I love so much about this light. If you have a much larger space, however, or one with say, 12 foot ceilings, then absolutely go for the larger version – it’s beautiful and sculptural and will really add impact to a space, no matter what your style.
Meisha clearly thinks it’s a bonkers choice.
And I would highly recommend going to VOGA – my experience with them has been fantastic and as I spoke about in my last post, I love their ethos – that good design should be for everyone, not just the elite and exactly what these mid-century designs were all about. Have a look at their best sellers to get an idea of the kinds of gorgeous designs that they sell at incredibly reasonable prices. The quality is exceptional and I feel they really honour the work of the original designers. I’d certainly be happy to buy from them in the future.
I totally realise this is a really ‘out there’ kind of a light fitting and most likely not to everyone’s tastes – and I’m actually NERVOUS asking this because I recognise the scale isn’t quite right – but I’m pulling up my big girl pants and asking anyway – what do you think of the new light fitting? Is it something you would bring into your own home? Or tell me… have you got something home and realise with horror that it’s not quite the right size? Or is that just me?!
Disclaimer: The Serge Mouille MCL-R6 was provided to me free from VOGA for my review but all words, images and opinions are of course my very own. I only share products that I like and think you’ll like too on Swoon Worthy.
WOW! That is one heck of a light! IKWYM re the size issue but as you say, live with for a while and see how you go! Better brave than bland- my new motto !
I love the motto! It was worth a shot but had I realised the size I probably would have opted for the smaller one *headdesk* lol Oh well, it’s all a learning curve right? xxx
I love that it is big and think it looks fabulous
Aww thanks Julia! xxx
I love the light itself, it’s gorgeous and sculptural and makes a statement, but personally I agree with you that the smaller Voga light would have been a better fit without compromising on design…but I’m guessing you know that already…I can see this in a dining room where you walk in and can appreciate the full impact of this beautiful design, but kudos to you for trying something out!
Totally agree with you there – it’s the size that throws it off for me, not necessarily the design (which, although a bit mad, I do love)! Ahh well, live and learn lol xxx
Maybe it’s a silly reason but I’m not a big fan of this light as it reminds me of a giant spider and spiders scare me. Brrrr;))
Hahaha!! It really DOES look like a giant spider. I said to Wayne that I hoped I didn’t wake in the night and think a giant spider was coming to eat me! lol xxx
Love!
Love the oversized scale. It looks intentional and purposeful and such a dramatic room can totally take it.
In my humble opinion. :)
Aww thanks Jennifer! I’m glad you like it as is! I think I need to give it a little time but at this moment, I’m still pretty convinced it’s going to need to change (groan) ;) xxx
While I do agree you should definitely keep it up for a week and see how you feel, if I’m really, really brutally honest I don’t like it. I think the scale is off, and I think your current style isn’t traditional enough to make the juxtaposition obvious enough. (I saw a great word the other day, that meant a combination of Victorian, contemporary and regency, which made me think of your style. Can’t remember what it was though!)
No one will ever accuse you of being a minimalist, but all of your pieces harmonise, to me, the light just looks a bit out of place and competes with everything else.
Sorry if that sounds super mean! I think we have fairly similar tastes most of the time, but I’m just not feeling this light!
Ha!! It doesn’t sound ‘super mean’ at all Sam! I appreciate your opinion ;) And I knew for sure that this would be one that divided opinion – I still really love it but like I said, I feel like it’s a bit overpowering due to the size! Hopefully if we make some adjustments to it, it’ll fit the space and harmonise with it a bit better :) Thanks for the comment xxx
OH MY GOD KIMBERLY I CAN’T EVEN. It’s beautiful. I’ve been in love with that fixture for years. It is so sleek and just pure sexy. And correct me if I’m wrong, but can you install it on a wall too? Maybe not your one, but I think the 3-armed piece? Or maybe my insomnia is acting up.
I can kinda see what you mean about the scale of it. But as I always like to think my dear, the bigger your accessories, the closer you are to god ;) Meisha agrees with me. I am nearly certain.
p.s. I’m such a stalker and so thought of our BFF Christine when I saw your new fixture.
I think there are specific models for the wall yes! I know, they are totally groovy :)
The scale is just CRAZY BIG and while I would always like to get closer to God (LOL!), I’m not sure this is exactly the way to do it! Hahahaha
You, me and Christine – BFFS FOREVA xxx
I have been obsessed with those fixtures. I love it, and in the photos it doesn’t appear out of place, but I totally get what you are saying. Still love the look and your contrast of the dark walls is spot on :)
Aww thanks lovely! I do love the style of it but it’s just SO BIG OH MY GOD. Hopefully I can alter it but still keep that groovy look going on! Fingers crossed xxx
I have always loved these light fixtures and I just can’t even handle how awesome this one is! It’s massive and it definitely makes a statement – I think it’s just totally up to you to decide if it feels too big in there or not. I’d totally kill to have it in my own home ;)
Thanks darling! Yeah, I’m still feeling it’s too big so alterations may be entirely necessary (sob sob) It is fab though, I do love it! xxx
You can do no wrong girl! I mean….cmon!
I LOVE THIS!!!! And I want one for my living room! I really really do!! Enough with the exclamations marks, I know. But seriously, I really don’t think it’s too big – what else are you doing to do with all that otherwise dead space up there huh?! I know I’m a bit late to the party here, but how do you feel about it now you’ve lived with it for a while? Xx
I’ve kind of gotten used to it… The thing is, it’s not just the ceiling – it comes down at the lowest points nearly a metre from the ceiling so where the longest arms are, the lights are REALLY low. Hmm. Still not convinced but just haven’t had the chance to do anything about it! lol xxx
I am so glad I stumbled upon your beautiful site! :) First, let me say that this piece is freaking awesome! For that very same reason, I just bought the 3-arm light fixture. I have not yet installed, but I cannot wait to do so. I gifted it to myself as a birthday gift. I am going to be installing in my living room. I hope it looks as beautiful as yours! Hope you kept the light fixture – it is TRULY beautiful.
Aww thank you! And happy birthday, what a great gift to yourself ;) As for now, it’s still in there but I still think it’s a bit to big for the room – I really wish I’d got the 3 arm one instead ;) Happy light installation!! xx
Sorry if I missed it, how high are your ceilings?
Did you ever try to bend the arms?
Thanks!
Our ceilings are just over 9 feet high! Not really high enough for something this large unfortunately. I ended up selling this model and getting something more appropriately sized rather than try to adapt this one :) Hope that helps! xx
Hi Kimberly, I’ve got the smaller three-breasted version from VOGA. I’ve installed it today, which really was a lot of work. The poorly translated installation manual seems to imply that the shades can not only be rotated, but also tilted upwards or downwards. But I haven’t been able to do so and I don’t want to damage anything. Do you remember if this was the case with yours? I know it’s been a long time since this post and you’ve replaced it with something else, but maybe you remember how well you could adjust it to your liking.
Thanks!
Hi Willi, Yes, it was quite easy to rotate the heads and adjust everything to your liking. I’d get in touch with VOGA to see if there’s something amiss with the one you received. I would imagine that the 3 arm version would be similar in that it should be fully adjustable. Hope that helps and good luck xx
Hi Kimberly, I got it working after reading your reply. It took a bit more force than I was comfortable with at first; the joints are rather creaky. I guess that’s one of the reasons why this costs 1/10th of the hand-made French original. Thanks for your help! It’s too bad that it wasn’t for you after all, it’s a beautiful light.