December 1, 2011
Something Old, Something New
Classic lamps are back in vogue, but there’s no dearth of fresh ideas either.
When it comes to lighting design, today’s options are more diverse than ever. As consumers gravitate toward durable, simple products, a classic aesthetic is once again becoming popular. Iconic pieces by modernist designers like Arne Jacobsen and Greta Grossman are back in production, updated with fresh colors and improved performance. Meanwhile, today’s product designers are finding new ways to marry state-of-the-art technology—especially the latest advances in energy-efficient LEDs (sans the cold blue glow)—with varied inspirations for form. Benjamin Hubert, for example, was fascinated by the movement of a canoe blade through water, while François Chambard’s L.U.M. Lamp draws on the luxurious materials of the Art Deco period. The products on these pages promise to light up a new world of creative possibilities.