21 Series Lighting
The 21 Series lighting collection is recognised for sculptural porcelain pendants, soft ambient illumination and contemporary handcrafted design. Originally created by designer Omer Arbel for Bocci, the 21 Series became internationally known for its unique fabrication process that combines delicate porcelain with illuminated borosilicate glass diffusers.
Our 21 Series lighting collection includes porcelain pendant lights and clustered sculptural installations inspired by one of the most atmospheric contemporary lighting collections in modern interior design.
Defined by organic forms, translucent porcelain textures and soft layered illumination, 21 Series-style lighting works especially well in contemporary Australian interiors where lighting is intended to create warmth, softness and architectural atmosphere.
Whether you are furnishing a dining room, designing a stair void installation or selecting statement lighting for a luxury open-plan home, these fixtures combine handcrafted materiality with minimalist sculptural elegance.
The Design Philosophy Behind the 21 Series
The original 21 Series was developed as an exploration of porcelain, translucency and natural form.
Each pendant is fabricated from thin sheets of porcelain draped around an inverted borosilicate glass diffuser. During production, the porcelain is intentionally allowed to settle naturally, creating unique organic forms rather than perfectly symmetrical shapes.
This process gives every pendant a slightly different appearance and creates one of the defining characteristics of the collection — individuality through material behaviour.
Unlike traditional decorative lighting that relies on ornamentation and visible structure, the 21 Series focuses on:
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softness of illumination
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material texture
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organic asymmetry
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handcrafted imperfection
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atmospheric composition
The contrast between the warm translucent porcelain and the sharper inner glass diffuser creates layered lighting effects that feel sculptural and highly architectural.
The result is lighting that feels contemporary and artistic without becoming visually heavy or overly decorative.
Porcelain Lighting with Organic Texture
One of the defining features of 21 Series lighting is the use of porcelain as a translucent lighting material.
The porcelain shell softens and diffuses the illumination while maintaining visible texture and irregularity. Because each pendant forms naturally during fabrication, no two fixtures are exactly alike.
When illuminated, the pendants create:
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soft ambient glow
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layered light diffusion
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subtle shadow variation
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sculptural transparency
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warm atmospheric lighting
This combination of handcrafted texture and minimalist form is one of the reasons the 21 Series became highly influential in contemporary architectural interiors.
The aesthetic works especially well in Australian interiors featuring:
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natural timber finishes
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stone surfaces
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textured plaster walls
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neutral material palettes
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minimalist architectural detailing
Because the fixtures remain visually lightweight, they integrate naturally into both contemporary residential and hospitality interiors.
21 Series Lighting for Dining Rooms
Dining rooms are one of the strongest applications for 21 Series-style lighting.
Clustered porcelain pendants create atmosphere and softness above the dining table while helping define the dining area within open-plan interiors.
21 Series-inspired lighting works especially well in:
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contemporary dining rooms
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luxury apartments
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minimalist homes
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architect-designed residences
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hospitality dining spaces
Linear and random clustered arrangements are particularly effective above rectangular dining tables where suspended compositions help visually anchor the room.
When selecting dining room lighting, consider:
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table dimensions
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ceiling height
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number of pendants
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suspension lengths
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canopy layout and spacing
Because the 21 Series focuses on organic composition rather than rigid symmetry, varied pendant heights often create a more natural and sculptural appearance.
In contemporary Australian homes, softer ambient lighting is especially valuable in dining areas where atmosphere and comfort are important.
Sculptural Pendant Lighting for Stair Voids
The 21 Series is particularly effective in vertical architectural spaces such as stair voids, entryways and double-height interiors.
Clustered porcelain pendants suspended at varying heights can:
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emphasise ceiling height
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create movement through vertical space
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soften minimalist architecture
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introduce atmospheric illumination
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define sculptural focal points
Large multi-pendant installations create almost cloud-like suspended compositions within the interior.
Because the pendants remain visually light and semi-translucent, even larger installations maintain openness and architectural balance.
This style of lighting is especially popular in contemporary Australian homes where open staircases and high ceilings allow lighting to become a central architectural feature.
Ambient Lighting for Open-Plan Australian Homes
Modern Australian interiors frequently combine kitchens, dining areas and living spaces into open-plan environments.
21 Series-inspired lighting works particularly well in these layouts because it creates atmosphere and visual structure without interrupting the openness of the architecture.
For example:
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clustered pendants can define the dining area
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smaller groupings can highlight kitchen islands
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multi-drop installations can create stair void focal points
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ambient pendant lighting can soften large living spaces
The warm porcelain glow helps interiors feel more relaxed and comfortable while maintaining contemporary simplicity.
This balance between sculptural softness and architectural restraint is one of the defining strengths of the 21 Series aesthetic.
Random Configurations & Modular Flexibility
One of the most distinctive aspects of the 21 Series is its modular installation flexibility.
Rather than relying on rigid symmetrical arrangements, the collection often uses:
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random clustered layouts
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varying suspension lengths
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modular canopy systems
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multi-pendant groupings
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asymmetrical compositions
Larger installations such as 21.7 and 21.21 configurations create expansive sculptural lighting fields that function almost as suspended art installations.
This flexibility allows the lighting to adapt naturally to different architectural conditions and room proportions.
The organic arrangement strategy also prevents larger installations from feeling too formal or visually rigid.
Materials & Finishes
21 Series lighting is strongly associated with porcelain, glass and minimalist contemporary detailing.
Popular materials and finishes often include:
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translucent porcelain
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frosted borosilicate glass diffusers
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brushed nickel canopies
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black canopy finishes
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braided suspension cables
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powder-coated metal detailing
The simplicity of the materials allows the illuminated porcelain itself to become the defining visual feature within the space.
Because the fixtures combine translucent and reflective surfaces, the lighting interacts dynamically with both daylight and artificial illumination throughout the day.
This creates changing visual depth depending on viewing angle and surrounding conditions.
Lighting Designed Around Atmosphere
One of the reasons the 21 Series became so influential is its emphasis on atmosphere rather than decorative complexity.
Instead of relying on highly visible structure or ornamentation, the collection creates visual impact through:
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material translucency
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soft illumination
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repetition and clustering
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organic form
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sculptural composition
This approach aligns closely with contemporary architectural interiors where lighting is expected to contribute directly to mood, comfort and spatial identity.
The warm and diffused quality of the illumination makes 21 Series-style lighting especially effective in:
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dining rooms
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hospitality interiors
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bedrooms
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living spaces
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gallery-inspired environments
21 Series Lighting for Residential & Commercial Projects
21 Series-inspired lighting is widely used across both residential and commercial interiors.
Common applications include:
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luxury homes
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contemporary apartments
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boutique hotels
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restaurants and cafés
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gallery-inspired interiors
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hospitality and retail spaces
Because the lighting combines handcrafted materiality with architectural softness, it performs especially well in interiors where atmosphere and visual identity are priorities.
In hospitality environments, larger clustered installations often become one of the defining visual features within the space itself.
A Contemporary Alternative to Traditional Chandeliers
Traditional chandeliers often rely on ornamentation, symmetry and decorative detail. The 21 Series takes a more contemporary approach by focusing on:
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translucent materiality
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organic asymmetry
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sculptural clustering
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ambient illumination
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handcrafted texture
This creates fixtures that feel:
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contemporary yet timeless
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sculptural without heaviness
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atmospheric and architectural
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minimalist while still visually expressive
For homeowners and designers seeking modern porcelain lighting with sculptural softness and architectural elegance, 21 Series-inspired fixtures provide a refined alternative to traditional decorative chandeliers.
Explore Our 21 Series Lighting Collection
Our 21 Series lighting collection includes sculptural porcelain pendants and clustered contemporary installations designed for modern Australian interiors.
Whether you are furnishing a dining room, designing a stair void feature or planning a hospitality project, these fixtures combine handcrafted porcelain, atmospheric illumination and minimalist architectural design.
Explore the collection to discover contemporary pendant lighting suited to residential and commercial spaces across Australia.
FAQ
What is 21 Series lighting known for?
21 Series lighting is known for sculptural porcelain pendants, soft ambient illumination and handcrafted contemporary design.
Who designed the original 21 Series?
The original 21 Series was created by designer Omer Arbel for Bocci.
What materials are used in 21 Series-style lighting?
The collection is primarily associated with porcelain, borosilicate glass diffusers and minimalist metal canopy systems.
Is 21 Series lighting suitable for dining rooms?
Yes. Clustered porcelain pendants work especially well above dining tables and open-plan dining areas.
Can 21 Series lighting be used in stair voids?
Yes. Multi-pendant clustered installations are particularly effective in stair voids and double-height interiors.
Is 21 Series lighting suitable for Australian homes?
Yes. The soft ambient illumination and minimalist sculptural aesthetic complement many contemporary Australian interiors.