May 5, 2015
From Classic to Quirky: The Spring’s Best in Lighting Design
From classics to innovative, next-generation LED fixtures, the best of the season’s lighting design marries sleek style with effortless function.
All photos courtesy the manufacturers
Smart lighting design is often the key to a successful interior. Thankfully, the options in today’s lighting market are endless, whether it is a decorative solution proposed by a younger designer, a true classic like Vico Magistretti’s Eclisse Lamp to give the space a refreshing pop of color, or an innovative technical solution that uses energy-efficient lighting. Sebastian Bergne’s Tivedo task lamp uses the latest generation of LED lighting, with low energy consumption and a life span approaching 50,000 hours. It’s a neat example of a task lamp that marries a beautiful form (in a variety of colors) with function. The Spanish lighting manufacturers and designers are always trying to apply the properties of light in smart ways, often resulting in affordable, innovative, and even quirky propositions. Take K-Lo Eco Design Studio, as one example. Its Saudade lamp is made of three rings of laminated cardboard, and comes in three colors. Many other companies and designers have equally exciting solutions for your next project—here are a few of the best.
Luca Nichetto and Oki Sato considered every detail of this floor lamp, inspired by the ethereal nature of jellyfish. The four ash-wood legs gently taper to appear as flat as possible, the shade is dyed Japanese washi paper made from mulberry trees, and the cable is covered with woven craft paper.
Designed by Vico Magistretti in 1966 and part of MoMA’s permanent collection, this petite lamp provides great versatility with its rotating inner shade that controls the amount of light. The stainless steel body is painted in a trademark red.
Lamparas de Carton Saudade Lamp
K-Lo Eco Design Studio’s dedication to innovation and sustainability gives rise to its signature collection of products made of laminated cardboard. The ceiling lamp is available in hazelnut, natural, and white versions.
Sputnik Estudio‘s versatile outdoor lighting system allows users to pick shades in three colors—white, gray, and mustard—and cluster them together in multiple combinations for varying light conditions. The shades can be hung from the ceiling or displayed as strung lights, but they can also be turned into standing or wall lamps.
This hanging lamp designed by the Spanish design trio La Mamba is intended for residential use. The simple form, reminiscent of a tea kettle, is made of marble dust and walnut or ash wood, and is available in black, white, and orange.
Robert Sonneman’s minimal pendant is composed of two flanged plates held together to diffuse the light source between them. The pendant comes with a six-foot cord and is available in two finishes: bright satin aluminum and textured white.
The arms and head of Sebastian Bergne’s LED lamp, both made of technopolymer, have a superior range of movement. For ease of use, it can come with a presence sensor. it is available in black, sky blue, light gray, and lacquer red.
Wästberg Sempé W153 Clamp Lamp
Designer Inga Sempé felt that clamp lamps were always relegated to a secondary status, so she set out to design one that would be just as elegant as a table lamp. Her W153 lamp can can stand on its own—because of the flat base—or be mounted on a wall. It will be available this June.
Israeli designer Ron Gilad spent two years refining banker’s lamps from the 1800s. His updated version includes Soft Touch technology for easy adjustments. Tt comes in two versions: a gold-plated brass stand with a green shade, or a black nickel stand with a smoked-glass shade.
