Lumenorth Ebony Wood Plug-In Sconce

Ebony pairs a black body with natural wood: the darkest finish set against the warmest material, which is the single contrast that the whole design rests upon. Remove either half of that pairing and what is left behind would be entirely unremarkable. Together they produce a fitting that is more interesting than the sum of two plain materials ought to be.

Black on its own is sleek but can easily feel severe on a wall, particularly in a room that is already restrained. The wood element is what stops that from happening: visible grain, a warm tone, and a slight softness that keeps the fixture from reading as pure hardware bolted to the plaster. It is a combination that suits a minimalist Nordic interior precisely because neither material is trying to do the other's job, and because both of them age well rather than looking tired after a few years of daylight.

It plugs into an ordinary wall socket, so there is no wiring involved and nothing permanent left behind. Mount a pair either side of a bed, or a single one in an entryway where the wood picks up whatever warmth is already present in the room around it.

• Material: black body with a natural wood element
• Wood keeps the black from reading as severe hardware
• Grain remains visible under the finish
• Installation: plug-in, no wiring or electrician
• Both materials age well over years of daylight
• Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, entryways, offices and hallways
• Ships worldwide with tracking, delivered in 3-14 business days