FontanaArte Bianca Ceiling/Wall Light, Etched Blown Glass Dome, 2 Sizes

The FontanaArte Bianca ceiling/wall light is a hardwired glass dome for hallways, bedrooms, dressing rooms, stair landings and hotel corridors, mounted flush to the ceiling or fixed to the wall. Its milk-white diffuser is mouth-blown and covered in rows of tiny etched dimples, so the glass catches light like fresh snow marked by footprints while it spreads a warm, even, dimmable glow through the room. Two sizes cover everything from a narrow passage to a generous living room.

Quick facts

• Product: Bianca ceiling/wall light
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F432865150BILU (Medium), F432870150BIN1 (Large)
• Type: Hardwired flush ceiling light and wall light, dual mount
• Best for: hallways, bedrooms, walk-in closets, landings, living rooms, hotel corridors, guest rooms and reception areas
• Medium: 11.8 in (30 cm) diameter, 7.8 in (20 cm) deep
• Large: 19.6 in (50 cm) diameter, 13.7 in (35 cm) deep
• Light source: Medium: integrated LED, 16W, 1650 lm, 2700 K, CRI above 80. Large: 1 x E26 bulb, 116W maximum, 110V (bulb not included)
• Light/dimming: diffused, dimmable
• Installation: hardwired to a ceiling or wall junction box
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations
• Materials: mouth-blown milk-white glass with a satin finish and etched pattern; matt white painted metal frame
• Sizes available: Medium, Large (white)
• Certification: ETL (Intertek) pending
• Designer: Matti Klenell (2015)
• Styles: Modern, Scandinavian, Contemporary, Minimalist

ETL (Intertek) listing for this light is in progress.

Light quality and how it performs

Bianca is all diffuser: there is no visible lamp, no metal shade and no hard edge, only a glowing oval of glass. The glass is blown into a mould, belt sanded and acid-dipped to give it a silky surface, and the etched grooves break the light up further, so the room receives a soft, enveloping light with no glare spot. On a ceiling it lights the whole space evenly; on a wall it throws light sideways along the surface and softly into the room.

The Medium has an integrated warm white LED (2700 K, 1650 lumens), a good match for bedrooms and corridors where you want comfortable general light without changing bulbs. The Large takes a standard E26 bulb up to 116W, so you choose the brightness and colour temperature, and its bigger glass gives a broader, more generous glow for living rooms and lobbies. Both are dimmable; ask your electrician to pair the fixture with a compatible wall dimmer.

Size and placement

On the ceiling. The Medium, 11.8 in (30 cm) across and 7.8 in (20 cm) deep, suits hallways, closets, small bedrooms and dressing areas. The Large, 19.6 in (50 cm) across and 13.7 in (35 cm) deep, is a centrepiece for a living room, a main bedroom or a lobby. As general guidance, keep the bottom of the glass at least about 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor in places people walk under; on an 8 ft ceiling the Large comes down a little over a foot, so it is best over a bed, a table or a seating area rather than a tight passage. In a long corridor, space Medium fixtures roughly 8 to 10 ft (2.4 to 3 m) apart for even light.

On the wall. The fixture projects 7.8 in (20 cm) for the Medium and 13.7 in (35 cm) for the Large. As general guidance: beside a bed, mount around 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m) from the floor so the glow sits just above a seated reader's shoulder; along a corridor, the usual centre height is about 5.5 to 6 ft (1.7 to 1.8 m); over a mirror or console, centre it a few inches above the top of the frame. In public corridors, accessibility rules limit how far wall objects may project within reach of passers-by, so in commercial projects use the Medium or mount it above head height and confirm with your designer or inspector.

Where it works

Bedrooms and dressing rooms. A Large on the ceiling gives a calm, even light that is kind to skin tones and fabrics, and a pair of Mediums on the wall either side of a bed can replace bedside lamps where nightstands are small.

Hallways, landings and stairwells. A run of Mediums turns a passage into a soft rhythm of white globes, and the integrated LED keeps maintenance low in places that are lit for long hours.

Living and dining rooms. The Large works as the main ceiling light in a room with a low or average ceiling, where a pendant would hang too low.

Hotels, restaurants and offices. Bianca specifies well for guest-room entries, corridors, washroom vestibules, reception areas and meeting rooms: one design in two sizes and two mounting positions keeps a consistent look across a whole project, and the white glass reads as quietly upscale in daylight and at night.

Style and pairing

The pure white glass and its tactile pattern sit naturally in Scandinavian and Minimalist interiors built on pale wood, lime plaster and linen, and add warmth to Modern and Contemporary rooms with grey walls, walnut cabinetry or black steel. Bianca belongs to a wider family by the same designer, with matching pendants, table and floor lamps, so you can carry the same glass through a home or a hotel floor.

Why choose Bianca

• Mouth-blown, hand-finished glass with a pattern you notice up close.
• One fixture for ceilings and walls, in two sizes.
• Soft, glare-free, dimmable light for rooms people live and sleep in.
• Integrated LED in the Medium; a standard E26 bulb in the Large.
• A low-profile alternative to a pendant where ceilings are modest.

Care

Turn off the power and let the glass cool before cleaning. Wipe the diffuser with a soft cloth dampened with water or a mild glass cleaner applied to the cloth, never sprayed onto the fixture, then dry it. A soft brush lifts dust from the etched pattern. Dust the painted metal frame with a dry cloth.

Frequently asked questions

Which size should I choose for a hallway? The Medium, 11.8 in (30 cm) across and 7.8 in (20 cm) deep, suits most hallways and closets. Keep the Large for rooms where nobody walks directly beneath it.

Can I mount Bianca on a wall and on a ceiling? Yes. The same fixture is designed for both positions.

How far does it stick out from the wall? The Medium projects 7.8 in (20 cm) and the Large 13.7 in (35 cm).

What kind of light does it give? Diffused, warm and glare-free light that fills the room rather than a focused beam.

Does it need a bulb? The Medium has an integrated LED (16W, 1650 lm, 2700 K). The Large takes one E26 bulb, 116W maximum, not included.

Is it dimmable? Yes, both sizes are dimmable. Use a dimmer compatible with the fixture, chosen with your electrician.

Does it need an electrician? Yes. It is hardwired to a junction box in the ceiling or wall.

What is it made of? Mouth-blown milk-white glass with a satin, etched finish, on a matt white painted metal frame.

Can I use it in a bathroom or outdoors? No. It is rated IP20 for dry indoor spaces only, so use it in a dressing room or hallway rather than over a shower or bath.

Is it certified for North America? ETL (Intertek) listing is pending.

Is there a matching pendant or lamp? Yes. The Bianca family also includes pendant, table and floor versions in the same glass.

Trade & project orders

Interior designers, architects and hospitality buyers can join the MetropolitanDecor trade program for trade pricing. We also prepare quotes for multi-unit and project orders; contact us with your quantities.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.