Fragments of Infinity Puts All Eyes on Giopato & Coombes’ Lighting

Jamb founders Will Fisher and Charlotte Freemantle, known for their bespoke lighting tailored for leading interior designers, are set to launch their new Deco collection. This collection, which will debut at London Design Week, features five distinct pieces that deliberately eschew current trends, focusing instead on timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship. The duo, operating from their London home and studio, emphasizes traditional skills and meticulous attention to detail, a philosophy that stands in contrast to the rapid-fire launch cycles common in contemporary design. The Deco collection is characterized by a glamorous and somewhat majestic aesthetic, designed to soften the edges of each piece in a romantic fashion. This romantic sensibility extends from their previous work, including their distinctive pink room at the Wow! House at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. Will Fisher's background in studying antique objects heavily influences their design process. The team initiates new designs by identifying original antique pieces that serve as the foundational inspiration. Their deep immersion in historical objects led to the early twentieth-century themes evident in the Deco collection, drawing from movements and periods such as The Bloomsbury Group, the Roaring Twenties, and the Belle Époque. The collection highlights a focus on rich materiality, combining hand-planished metal, luminous alabaster, and shimmering silk textiles to create compelling juxtapositions. Some designs incorporate hand-carved patterns, which are then cast using the traditional lost wax technique, a method Will Fisher describes as the "noblest form of manufacture." Charlotte Freemantle is particularly interested in integrating decorative fabrics, a concept carried over from the Wow! House show, into their new product lines. She notes that drapery softens and diffuses light in a room, and similarly, the textiles in their collection evoke the gentle glow of candlelight, enhancing the overall ambiance. Often described as the "jewelry of the home," lighting in the Deco collection aims to create unique and inviting atmospheres. The pieces are designed to complete and complement diverse interior aesthetics, whether mid-century modern or traditional, effectively bucking trends and potentially establishing new ones. To illustrate their versatility, the designers have photographed the collection in various in situ settings, demonstrating how these objects can seamlessly integrate into different environments. The article specifically mentions pieces like the Hopper Alabaster wall sconce, the Thelma pendant light with its hand-stippled brass frame and optional linen or silk skirt, a new floor lamp styled with antique furniture, and the Hatton Rod, which embodies the Art Deco aesthetic with its alabaster bowl and brass detailing, offering both down and uplighting. The collection will be available from Jamb at 95-97 Pimlico Road, London, and through their website. #JambLighting #DecoCollection #LondonDesignWeek #BespokeLighting #InteriorDesignTrends #AntiqueInspired #Craftsmanship #AlabasterLighting #LuxuryLighting

The role of fine art in shaping contemporary interior design is expanding beyond traditional wall art, with designers increasingly incorporating sculptural forms into their spaces. This trend extends to statement design objects such as distinctive sofas, vibrant rugs, and particularly, glimmering light fixtures, which introduce unusual textures, colors, and patterns. Corbett Lighting, a brand known for its innovative offerings, exemplifies this approach by drawing inspiration from diverse artistic and cultural sources, including galleries, museums, fashion shows, and luxury ateliers. The brand's designs aim to create timeless yet modern styles, often channeling aesthetic traditions like mid-century Italian design into eye-catching fixtures. Corbett Lighting's commitment to quality and artistic vision is evident in its use of premium materials. The company incorporates handblown Venetian glass, rich Spanish alabaster, and top-grade Brazilian rock crystal, pushing boundaries in terms of appearance, functionality, and durability. Their product line includes a variety of pendants and sconces, each designed to serve as a focal point within a space. These fixtures are not merely functional light sources but sculptural elements that contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic. Among their notable pendants, 'Calligraphy' features sculptural iron bands that create dramatic shadows, enveloping two LED engines. 'Element' showcases smoked and plated glass bulbs meticulously balanced on a handcrafted iron structure, finished in Vienna bronze. 'Graffiti' is characterized by artistically twisted iron ribbons, finished in silver leaf, which encase illuminated crystal diffusers, offering a blend of raw artistry and refined light. 'Metropolis' presents a distinctly modern design with handcrafted iron cubes surrounding an LED bulb, emphasizing clean lines and contemporary form. 'Motif' combines convex Italian glass with lustrous gems within an iron framework, finished in gold leaf with stainless accents, presenting a luxurious and intricate design. 'Piet' uses polished stainless-steel stems to support a variety of glass shapes—round, elliptic, and tapered—creating a dynamic and sophisticated composition. 'Pulse' features iron mesh screens that form a sculptural, ruffled body, enhanced with a hand-applied gold leaf finish. 'Sauterne' elegantly positions gold-speckled Venetian glass staves around a candelabra light source, evoking classic charm with a modern twist. Finally, 'Theory' draws direct inspiration from mid-century Italian design, forming a multidimensional shape through alternating glass and gold-leaf iron rods around an LED. In addition to pendants, Corbett Lighting offers a range of expressive sconces, including variations of 'Pulse' and 'Motif'. These sconces continue the brand's signature use of handcrafted iron, textured glass, polished stainless steel, and gold leaf details, ensuring a cohesive and high-end aesthetic across their product portfolio. The brand's creations are designed to be more than just lighting; they are art-inspired fixtures that enhance the ambiance and visual appeal of luxury interiors. #LightingFixtures #StatementLighting #InteriorDesign #LuxuryInteriors #CorbettLighting #ArtInspiredDesign #DesignInnovation #SculpturalLighting #PremiumMaterials

Artist and architect Inés Esnal has unveiled her Prism installation, transforming the lobby of a new residential building in New York City. The artwork utilizes colorful elastic ropes to create intricate triangular formations that serve to filter light, producing a dynamic interplay of vivid colors and optical illusions. This installation provides a stark and compelling contrast to the lobby's existing concrete walls, injecting an element of artistic vibrancy into the otherwise stark architectural setting. The Prism installation is characterized by its use of stretched elastic ropes, meticulously arranged to form geometric patterns. These ropes, varying in color, intersect and overlap, creating a complex web that interacts with the ambient light. As light passes through these colored strands, it is fractured and dispersed, casting a spectrum of hues across the lobby space. This optical phenomenon changes throughout the day, depending on the angle and intensity of natural light, offering a constantly evolving visual experience for residents and visitors. The design intention behind Prism is to introduce an element of surprise and visual engagement within a functional architectural space. By contrasting the inherent rigidity and monochromatic nature of concrete with the fluidity and vibrant palette of the elastic ropes, Esnal challenges conventional perceptions of lobby design. The installation effectively redefines the entrance area, transforming it from a transitional zone into an immersive artistic environment. Esnal's work often explores the relationship between art, architecture, and human perception. In Prism, she employs principles of geometry and optics to manipulate space and light, thereby creating an illusory depth and movement within a static structure. The triangular shapes formed by the ropes evoke the concept of prisms, which are known for their ability to refract light into its constituent colors. This not only imbues the space with aesthetic appeal but also invites viewers to contemplate the scientific and artistic principles at play. The installation aims to enhance the sensory experience of the building's occupants, offering a momentary escape from the urban environment. The selection of elastic ropes as the primary material allows for flexibility in form and an ethereal quality that belies the material's strength. This choice also contributes to the lightweight and seemingly gravity-defying appearance of the artwork, further emphasizing its illusory nature. The vibrant colors chosen are intended to evoke a sense of energy and warmth, counteracting the potentially cold aesthetic of modern concrete architecture. The overall effect is one of harmony between the artistic intervention and the architectural context, demonstrating how art can profoundly alter and enrich built environments. #ArchitecturalInstallation #PublicArt #LobbyDesign #InesEsnal #OpticalIllusions #ElasticRopeArt #NYCArchitecture #ColorTheory #GeometricArt

This blog post showcases the intriguing work of Felice Varini, a Swiss-born artist renowned for his unique optical art installations. Varini's artistic approach involves creating geometric patterns that appear to float in space when viewed from a very specific vantage point. These ephemeral designs are often applied directly to architectural surfaces, both indoors and outdoors, transforming the perception of the environment. The article highlights that Varini uses a light projector to precisely plot these figures onto walls and other structures before meticulously painting or adhering them. The magic of his work lies in its dependence on the viewer's position; from most angles, the patterns appear as fragmented, illogical scribbles or disjointed shapes across various surfaces. However, upon finding the designated viewpoint, these disparate elements coalesce into perfect geometric forms, such as circles, squares, or lines, creating a powerful illusion of three-dimensionality. Several examples of Varini's work are presented, illustrating the diversity of his installations and the impact they have on their surroundings. One instance described involves an art piece in Cardiff Bay, where seemingly random markings on a structure resolve into a coherent design from a particular perspective. Another example shows abstract lines and shapes within a museum setting, which, from afar, form a unified artistic statement. The article also mentions a prominent red line running around a museum, suggesting how Varini integrates his art with existing architecture to alter spatial perception. Further examples include patterns applied to a piano, creating a fringed effect, and other seemingly chaotic lines that resolve into defined geometric shapes. The art is not confined to indoor spaces; the blog notes its appearance in townscapes, where large-scale installations interact with urban environments. The beauty of the reflections of these patterns on floors is also highlighted, adding another layer to the visual experience. The diverse illustrations demonstrate how these artworks, initially resembling mere sticky tape or random markings from a casual glance, reveal their intricate design and purpose when viewed from the correct angle. The blog concludes by encouraging readers to explore more of Felice Varini's extensive portfolio on his official website, providing links for further immersion into his captivating world of optical illusions and architectural interventions. #FeliceVarini #OpticalArt #GeometricPatterns #InstallationArt #ArchitecturalArt #Illusion #PublicArt #VisualPerception #ContemporaryArt

The importance of a well-conceived lighting plan in home design is often underestimated, frequently being an afterthought rather than an integral part of the initial concept. Good lighting significantly contributes to an inhabitant's well-being, optimizes functionality, and elevates the overall aesthetic of a room, transforming an ordinary space into something remarkable through strategic fixture selection and placement. This principle was vividly demonstrated at the recent WOW!house design exhibit held at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in London, England. The exhibition featured 22 unique rooms, each crafted by leading interior designers, where lighting often took center stage. The WOW!house exhibition, open to the public for a month in June to support the United in Design charity, was not a traditional house but an innovative installation. It comprised a series of exterior and interior spaces within the atrium of the Design Centre. These spaces were diverse, ranging from entries, kitchens, dens, bars, and dining areas to libraries, bathrooms, bedrooms, and outdoor courtyards, all brimming with originality and creative design solutions. Across most of these spectacular settings, lighting played a prominent role in defining the ambiance and functionality. One of the most striking examples was the grand entry of the installation, which featured an dramatic leaf chandelier by Cox London. Victoria Davar, founder of Maison Artefact, specifically requested a five-meter ceiling height to ensure the fixture was not only accommodated but also given pride of place, asserting its visual dominance upon entry. Davar emphasized that this height aligns with classical design principles. Her design philosophy for the entry embraced a blend of classical and modern elements, where the chandelier was framed against a traditional-surround fireplace. This approach allowed each element to balance the other, creating a dialogue between the old and the new. Davar intentionally utilized negative space, leaving the wall above the fireplace blank, to allow the chandelier to stand out as a sculptural piece without visual interruption, fostering a sense of airiness. Another innovative approach was seen in the courtyard room designed by Emma Sims-Hilditch. This multi-functional space, envisioned to support various aspects of country living such as a boot room, dog wash station, and gardening area, integrated classical elements of heritage country homes with modern touches. Sims-Hilditch positioned an oversized Charles Edwards lantern as a focal point above an island, drawing inspiration from classical English country house lanterns. The lantern received a contemporary update through its coloration, painted in Farrow & Ball's Lulworth Blue. Wall lights, inspired by carriage lanterns, and pendant lights with fabric shades in corner spaces were strategically placed to layer the lighting, ensuring both functionality and comfort. Sims-Hilditch underscored the importance of soft lighting and avoiding bare bulbs, opting for a layered system that included John Cullen Lighting for downlights and Soane Britain for wall lights. The bathroom designed by 1508 London exemplified how lighting can transform a functional space into a luxurious retreat. The design studio incorporated an advanced lighting system by John Cullen Lighting and Lutron, offering three distinct illumination programs: Ritual, Revitalizing, and Revery. Paris Albert, an associate at 1508 London, explained that “Ritual” supports daily cleansing routines, “Revitalizing” enhances vanities and showers for rejuvenation, and “Revery” creates a dreamlike state for relaxation. These options, accessible at the touch of a button, elevated the bathroom experience from mere utility to a restorative escape. Interior decorator and antiques dealer Daniel Slowik presented his morning room design, emphasizing subtle, layered lighting rather than bright, centralized fixtures or intrusive task lighting. He advocated for side lights, often converting decorative vases or antique items like Arts & Crafts candlesticks into lamps, to create ambient illumination. Slowik aimed for a subdued, not overlit, atmosphere, focusing on objects that also serve as beautiful design elements. While generally disliking overt task lighting, he integrated a brass floor lamp discreetly next to a reading chair, chosen for its distressed appearance that conveyed a sense of history and permanence. The unifying theme across all these designs is the necessity for lighting to be an intrinsic component of the overall design strategy. A thoughtful approach to illumination enhances comfort and functionality, highlights the aesthetic, and can dramatically transform a room into a unique and spectacular environment. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #LightingSolutions #WOWHouse #DesignExhibition #ArchitecturalLighting #DecorativeLighting #SmartLighting

Konstantin Grcic’s 'OK' lamp, designed for Flos, represents a contemporary evolution of the iconic 'Parentesi' lamp, originally conceived by Pio Manzù and later adapted by Achille Castiglioni. The 'Parentesi' lamp, launched by Flos in 1972, addressed the need for a versatile light source that could move vertically and rotate horizontally, a concept that has remained in continuous production for decades. Grcic's 'OK' lamp reinterprets this historical design in light of significant advancements in lighting technology, particularly the shift from conventional bulbs to modern LED solutions. He describes this project as an opportunity to pass on the 'Manzù-Castiglioni torch' to the future, embracing the idea that contemporary lamp design now involves engineering the light source itself, rather than merely designing around a pre-existing bulb. The 'OK' lamp manifests as a flat, circular, light-emitting disk, suspended from a wire that runs from ceiling to floor, effectively acting as a rail. The name 'OK' playfully combines the circular 'O' shape of the lamp's head with the first initial of its German designer, Konstantin Grcic. This design showcases Grcic’s characteristic blend of technological innovation, aesthetic sensitivity, and a preference for pure, unadorned forms. His approach integrates a passion for new technologies and materials with a deep respect for design history, resulting in a product that is both avant-garde and steeped in tradition. A key aspect of the 'OK' lamp's redesign is the transformation of the original light bulb into an ultra-flat LED surface. This LED surface incorporates edge-lighting technology, allowing for a 360-degree directionality of light. The functional elements of the 'Parentesi' have also been modernized; the original lamp's distinctive parenthesis-shaped tube, which enabled vertical movement along a steel cable, has been replaced by a compact, rectangular box in the 'OK' lamp. This new component discreetly houses the electronic elements and a soft-touch switch, streamlining the design while maintaining its core functionality. Furthermore, the cylindrical weight found at the base of the 'Parentesi' has been re-envisioned as an easier-to-install cone shape for the 'OK' lamp. The only element that remains unchanged from Castiglioni's original design is the small, elegantly spun metal ceiling rose, a testament to its timeless form. The 'OK' lamp is offered in several finishes, including white, black, yellow, and nickel, providing options to suit various interior aesthetics. It is a direct light lamp with an adjustable cast aluminum head, finished with a glossy paint. The vertical mobility of the head is facilitated by an internal structure that scrolls along the steel cable. The soft-touch technology enables intuitive on/off switching. The light source for the 'OK' lamp is a single edge lighting technology unit, delivering 1035 lumens in total, with a color rendering index (CRI) of 85 and consuming 23 watts. The lamp's official presentation occurred at the Flos stand during Euroluce, part of Milan Design Week, demonstrating its prominence as a significant new offering in contemporary lighting design. This innovative series successfully bridges historical design principles with cutting-edge technology, offering a modern interpretation of a classic lighting solution. #KonstantinGrcic #Flos #OKLamp #ParentesiLamp #LEDLighting #ProductDesign #IndustrialDesign #MilanDesignWeek #HomeLighting

The Modulo lighting collection, designed by Federico Peri for CTO Lighting, is characterized by its distinctive use of opal and smoky textured glass. This collection encompasses a chandelier, a pendant, and a wall light, all constructed from consistent oblong glass modules arranged into linear lighting sculptures, complemented by architectural metalwork. The design draws inspiration from Peri's childhood experiences of constructing objects with metal parts at his grandfather's metalwork factory in Italy, reminiscent of the Meccano model construction system. In the Modulo collection, these foundational metal elements are reinterpreted as panes of smoked glass. Each glass component possesses unique imperfections and subtle tints, contributing to its individual character. Smooth opal glass domes, housing dimmable LED lighting elements, are affixed to these glass base plates, creating a harmonious interplay of light and material. The Modulo chandelier features eleven of these opal glass domes, intricately suspended on a grid structure, offering a central lighting solution for various spaces. The pendant light offers versatility, allowing it to be hung either horizontally or vertically. Furthermore, multiple pendant units can be combined to form larger, more complex lighting constellations, adapting to diverse spatial requirements and aesthetic preferences. The wall light variant is designed with adaptability in mind, featuring an arrangement of one to three opal domes per unit, providing flexible illumination options. For the metalwork, customers have the choice between a satin brass or a bronze finish, allowing for further customization to suit a range of interior design palettes. The collection underscores a blend of industrial inspiration with refined material choices, resulting in a series of lighting fixtures that are both functional and sculptural. The Modulo collection aims to provide sophisticated and adaptable lighting solutions that incorporate artistic design and high-quality craftsmanship, making it a suitable choice for contemporary interiors seeking distinctive illumination. #ModuloCollection #FedericoPeri #CTOLighting #LightingDesign #OpalGlass #SmokyGlass #Chandelier #PendantLight #WallLight

Masiero, an Italian lighting company established in 1981, has grown from a small workshop in Northern Italy to a global leader in lighting. The company’s success is attributed to its dedication to merging traditional Italian craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, as well as its collaborative approach with internationally renowned designers. Masiero works closely with designers and its in-house R&D department to produce distinctive lighting fixtures that shape its product portfolio. The collaborative process typically begins with Masiero providing designers with a brief outlining mood, product type, price range, and materials. However, Masiero also welcomes proposals from designers inspired by their own concepts. This fosters a unique relationship between designers and Masiero’s internal team, focusing on achieving optimal shapes and finishes. Masiero emphasizes the challenge of industrializing a designer's vision while maintaining economic sustainability, leveraging its expertise in metal processing and technological innovation in light management and flexibility. This flexibility, especially concerning color and size, is crucial for designers managing diverse projects. Masiero further supports these collaborations with a commercial network spanning 80 countries and robust marketing efforts, both online and offline. Alessia D’Alesio, Masiero's Global Marketing Manager, highlights the Horo collection by Pierre Gonalons as a particularly successful collaboration, having won the Good Design Award 2021. Gonalons' creative concept for Horo, featuring a sandwich construction of two prismatic glass circles within an outer frame, was faithfully translated into the final product. Masiero's internal team meticulously worked on optimizing illumination, refining the frame's finish, and selecting a decorative yet delicate glass. Gonalons describes Horo as a disk of light that simultaneously offers a light show, emphasizing his passion for handcrafted materials that narrate a story. He appreciates Masiero’s expertise in material and finish selection, which facilitated a natural development of the collaboration. The prototyping phase involved significant modification and improvement, demonstrating a strong collaborative spirit. Gonalons also praises the unique quality of Masiero’s hand-finished metalwork, achieved in their workshop, especially considering its competitive price point. Giovanni Battista Gianola's Sound collection was inspired by the artisans' ability to create perfect curves from shiny tubes, evoking musical instruments. This inspiration translated into lighting fixtures where material and shape are integral to the lamp’s aesthetic, much like they are to an instrument’s sound. The collection features gracefully shaped arms supporting glass diffusers encased by wide metal shades, resulting in layered sconces, floor lamps, chandeliers, and pendant lights. Gianola emphasizes that creating a new lamp involves a deep understanding of the brand's DNA, selecting materials that reflect its heritage, such as Masiero’s crystals, shining metals, and warm light. He views Masiero as having an eclectic spirit rooted in Venetian heritage, pursuing a distinctive path driven by a love for materials rather than fleeting trends. Marco Zito's Nappe collection, developed in 2018, showcases Masiero's material processing capabilities and the potential for a contemporary yet timeless language that integrates design technology with an artisanal approach. Zito's vision for Nappe drew inspiration from Venetian 'nappine' (tassels), reinterpreting this classical ornament into 10 modern pendant designs that can be combined for various installations. He believes such collaborative work generates virtuous processes and knowledge exchange, leading to innovative forms. Oriano Favaretto, who created the Honicé collection in 2018, commends Masiero's extensive experience and ability to balance contemporary designs with its foundational values of quality craftsmanship, noble materials, and ongoing research. He values the company's family-oriented approach to projects and shared perspectives. The Honicé collection, consisting of suspension lamps and wall lights, features a striking blend of opaque gold or brass finishes with natural onyx diffusers, paying homage to Masiero's history. Successful collaborations, according to Gonalons, involve a thorough assessment of the strengths of both the company and the designer. Masiero has honed this skill over the years, understanding his creative identity while he grasped their history and production capabilities. Masiero's D’Alesio notes that designers serve as a rich source of ideas, providing essential creative input from external perspectives. The brand encourages designers to express their creativity while considering the potential client's needs, offering 40 years of experience to produce beautiful, functional, well-finished, and recognizable items. #LightingDesign #ItalianCraftsmanship #DesignCollaboration #MasieroLighting #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign #ContemporaryAesthetics #DesignInnovation #LuxuryLighting

The article explores the top 10 lighting trends predicted to dominate home interiors in 2026, moving beyond mere functionality to emphasize mood, color, and decorative impact. Great lighting schemes are built upon a foundation of layered lighting, balancing ambient, task, and accent illumination. Once this fundamental aspect is established, the focus shifts to the form, finish, and overall aesthetic of the light fittings. One significant trend is the emergence of flexible fittings, such as modular designs that allow for customization in width, height, and layout. These adaptable systems provide creative freedom for designers and homeowners to sculpt light to fit specific spaces, addressing challenges like tricky ceiling beams or off-center areas. Kayli Rowsell, Design Manager at Arteriors, highlights how these multi-point suspension systems enable experimentation with form and balance, treating lighting as a sculptural element. Another trend is "multiplicity," where lighting collections offer a complete family of coordinating fixtures, including chandeliers, wall lights, pendants, floor lamps, and flush mounts, all sharing a consistent design aesthetic. This approach brings continuity and cohesion to open-concept living spaces, simplifying design decisions and ensuring a unified look without being overly matchy. Multiplicity also supports sustainability by encouraging the reuse of materials and components across collections. Mixed materials are also gaining prominence, with designers combining diverse elements like stone composites, metal mesh, leather tassels, and faux shagreen. This trend reflects a desire for warmth and tactility, making light fixtures feel like curated art objects. Brands like Contardi, Crudo Designs, Apparatus Studio, and Arteriors are leading this movement, creating pieces that offer rich textures and visual interest, often with subtle contrasts that enhance the overall design. Color dosing is another key trend, with lighting fixtures becoming a primary source of color accents through boldly tinted glass, enamel, and resin. This provides an immediate burst of personality and elevates the mood of a room. Esther Patterson, founder of Curiousa, notes that colorful lighting can transform a space's ambiance, allowing for vibrant accents or even serving as the central color element in a room. Craftsmanship is being celebrated, with an emphasis on artisanal, hand-finished light fittings that bring authenticity and tactile luxury. Designers like Lee Broom, Tom Raffield, and Inglis Hall are creating pieces that are not only functional but also works of art, using materials such as Carrara marble, steam-bent wood, and brass. This trend reflects an appreciation for personal, enduring designs that can become future heirlooms. Supersize style is making a bold statement, featuring elongated chandeliers, dramatic pendant clusters, and sculptural floor lamps that act as focal points. Rachel Morrison, principal designer at Morrison Interiors, explains that these generous fittings add drama and unexpectedness, commanding attention without overwhelming the space. Their transparency often keeps rooms feeling open and airy, while their scale anchors the design. Sculptural installations are transforming lighting into an art form, moving beyond traditional placements. Interior designers are suspending lights at unexpected angles, clustering them asymmetrically, or scattering them across ceilings to create dynamic and personalized spaces. Benjamin Johnston's use of Wren globe lights is cited as an example of how creative placement can infuse whimsy and shift the mood of a room. Conscious illumination emphasizes sustainability, with designers focusing on provenance, purpose, and storytelling in their creations. Studio Gräfling and Felix Kultau, for instance, transform granite offcuts into luminous sculptures, giving discarded materials a second life. Will Earl of J. Adams & Co. highlights the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship and creating timeless pieces with a meaningful narrative. Fluid forms are replacing rigid geometry, introducing curves, waves, and organic silhouettes that are inviting and sensual. This shift is driven by a desire for softness, tactility, and emotional resonance in interiors. Jo Annah Kornak, Creative Lead at Holly Hunt, notes that advancements in lighting technology enable more sculptural and expressive forms, exemplified by the Dune Hanging Light, which captures movement in solid alabaster. Finally, quiet lighting, inspired by the quiet luxury trend, focuses on subtle, diffused illumination that creates a cocooning and calm atmosphere without glare. This involves using materials like frosted glass, alabaster, and linen shades, along with hidden LEDs that wash walls and surfaces with warmth. Susie Pfeiffer, founder of Pfeiffer Design, emphasizes the shift towards enhancing a room through discreet, layered lighting that brings calm and balance. #LightingTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FlexibleLighting #MultiplicityLighting #MixedMaterials #ColorDosing #Craftsmanship #SupersizeLighting #SculpturalInstallations #ConsciousIllumination #FluidForms #QuietLighting

Jason Krugman, a New York-based artist, creates captivating light sculptures using wire mesh forms embedded with thousands of hand-soldered LED bulbs. His journey into art began after a career in investment banking, leading him to study technology and art at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). There, he learned about microcontrollers, soldering, digital fabrication, and new materials, which became foundational to his artistic practice. In 2009, Krugman established his studio in Brooklyn, focusing on the intersection of physical computing and fine art, transforming electricity into remarkable sculptures. Krugman's work is characterized by its fluid appearance, despite being constructed from static materials, often mimicking natural phenomena or intricate systems like swarms of mini-drones. He has developed several proprietary technologies, including a hand-soldered LED mesh, various cable systems, and custom printed circuit boards for LED artworks, holding two US patents. His designs are unique in that they often use the physical structure of the sculpture to conduct electricity to the light sources, eliminating the need for insulated wiring. This innovation allows thousands of LEDs to appear to float weightlessly within minimal wire forms, creating a soft, ethereal glow. His recent recognition includes a LIT Lighting Design Award for 'Capella Basket,' a large-scale installation described as a rectangular sheet of 2,000 LED bulbs rolled into a cannoli-like shape and seamed. This particular piece represents a decade of development, inspired by the challenge of shaping mesh material into complex forms. The 'Capella Basket' itself was a monumental undertaking, involving over 10,000 circuit boards, extensive prototyping in collaboration with Arup engineers, and fabrication with the support of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and other local businesses. Krugman views his work as a three-dimensional puzzle, where aesthetic form is deeply intertwined with functional utility. He believes that the beauty of his art is enhanced by its ability to perform, allowing viewers to engage with it intellectually and emotionally. The sculptures are shaped by their inherent capacity to efficiently distribute electricity. The artist's approach combines craft with technology, a process he manages by always building smaller versions and mockup sections, regardless of the project's scale or edition count. Feedback on Krugman's installations frequently highlights their resemblance to scientific structures and natural forms, fostering a sense of connection and collaboration with his audience. Looking ahead, Krugman aims to create even more complex forms while maintaining structural clarity. He also plans to explore folding and stretching techniques with different materials to delve deeper into surface creation, moving beyond his current focus on points and lines. He is also beginning to offer smaller sculptures for sale on his Instagram and website, providing more accessible ways for the public to engage with his art. #LightingDesign #ArtDesign #LightSculptures #LEDArt #InteractiveArt #PhysicalComputing #ContemporaryArt #Innovation #DesignProcess

The Prisma Lighting Series, created by Lucie Koldova, artistic director of Brokis, draws inspiration from Brutalist architecture, a design movement often associated with large-scale, raw concrete buildings. Koldova's approach reinterprets this style for smaller, interior objects, specifically lighting fixtures. The collection is characterized by its inherent strength and structural qualities, reflecting the foundational principles of Brutalism. The name "Prisma" directly refers to the decagonal metal prism structure that forms the core of each lighting piece. This geometric form is crucial to the design, as it interacts with light in a dynamic way, creating varied reflections depending on the observer's viewing angle. The angular, robust nature of the metal prism contrasts with the softer elements of the design, creating a balanced aesthetic. Complementing the metal prism, each end of the fixture features a handblown glass sphere. These glass spheres are responsible for emitting light and are designed to illuminate unexpected shapes and patterns from within, adding an artistic and intricate dimension to the otherwise straightforward Brutalist inspiration. The combination of industrial-grade metal and delicate handblown glass highlights a thoughtful interplay of materials and textures. The Prisma series offers versatility in its application, being available as both a pendant light and a table lamp. This dual offering allows the lights to be integrated into various interior settings, serving different functional and aesthetic needs. The collection also comes in three distinct finishes: brushed steel, galvanized yellow zinc gloss, and galvanized yellow zinc matte. These finish options provide designers and homeowners with choices to match different interior palettes and desired visual effects, from a sleek, modern look to a more industrial or rustic feel. When incorporated into an interior space, the Prisma lighting series aims to introduce an industrial and architectural element. The strong lines and geometric forms of the lights contribute to a sense of structure and modernity within a room. Despite this emphasis on form and material strength, the design simultaneously prioritizes the creation of a soft and inviting ambiance. The interaction of light with the prism and glass spheres is engineered to produce a gentle, diffused glow, ensuring that the lights enhance the atmosphere rather than overpowering it. This balance between raw industrialism and gentle illumination is a hallmark of the Prisma series, making it a distinctive addition to contemporary home furnishings. #PrismaLighting #BrutalistArchitecture #LucieKoldova #Brokis #GeometricDesign #HandblownGlass #InteriorLighting #IndustrialDesign #HomeFurnishings

Lucifer Lighting, a company that has grown from a family business to a global entity, is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, on a 13-acre campus alongside Salado Creek. This facility serves as the hub for all creative processes, including design, assembly, prototyping, and management. The spaces are adorned with art, and the building offers access to 20 miles of walking and biking trails. In addition to its Texas headquarters, Lucifer Lighting expanded its presence by opening a showroom in San Francisco's Jackson Square in 2022, followed by its first New York City showroom in 2023. The company continues its expansion, with 2025 being particularly active, marked by the debut of its new decorative fixture, Stellaris, at Euroluce during Milan Design Week. Gilbert Mathews, the founder of Lucifer Lighting, discussed the evolution of their decorative fixtures. He noted that Stellar, their first decorative fixture, was launched in 2020 to commemorate the company's 40th anniversary. While Stellar is characterized by its elegance and modest scale, Stellaris, their latest creation, measures approximately 30 inches in diameter and is designed to command a striking presence, capable of defining the ambiance of a space independently. A key innovation in Stellaris is its ability to integrate both downlight and volumetric light within a single form. Mathews expressed particular pride in the patented fold design, which incorporates discrete, concealed LEDs within the waveguide, creating a mesmerizing effect that prompts observers to question the light source. Stellaris is slated for an official launch in September 2025. The Stellaris design comprises two primary components: a suspended enclosure featuring internally illuminated tubes and a translucent barrier that defines the fixture. This design was a collaborative effort with the architecture firm Gensler, which also designed Lucifer Lighting's showrooms. All of Lucifer Lighting's finished products are assembled in the United States, with 93% of the fixture components sourced from North America. Mathews emphasized the company's philosophy regarding architectural lighting, stating that “the best lighting is the kind that no one notices.” He explained that their architectural lighting can be customized with special baffles, kick reflectors, and discrete aiming and adjustment mechanisms, allowing for precise illumination without drawing attention to the light source itself. Their motto, “Design, Define, Disappear,” highlights this paradoxical approach where beautifully crafted fixtures are designed not to be the focal point. Mathews noted that this philosophy represents a departure from traditional American lighting product design, which he found to be largely utilitarian and purely functional. He drew inspiration from European lighting fixture design, appreciating its sleek aesthetic, and sought to elevate this approach through Lucifer Lighting's engineering and fabrication capabilities. He finds inspiration in the seamlessly integrated surfaces of sculptural forms, comparing them to fine watches, cameras, and Italian sports cars. The company's work has graced prominent hotels and flagship stores globally, including The Peninsula, The Standard, Four Seasons, Mandarin, St. Regis, Rosewood, and The Ritz Carlton, as well as retail spaces for Apple, Chanel, Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and Tiffany & Co. The company's name, Lucifer Lighting, originated from its first strip light, the Lucifer Light, derived from the Latin root "luciferous," meaning "light-bringing," a name that proved memorable and distinctive. #LuciferLighting #LightingDesign #MilanDesignWeek #Stellaris #ArchitecturalLighting #InteriorDesign #ProductInnovation #LuxuryLighting

Lighting plays a pivotal role in transforming the ambiance of a space, capable of shifting a room's character from warm and inviting during the day to moody and dramatic in the evening. This year has seen a significant influx of innovative and aesthetically diverse illumination options, greatly influenced by the return of the prominent lighting show Euroluce at the Salone del Mobile fair. This curated selection presents 18 new and striking light fixtures, ranging from sconces and pendants to chandeliers, designed to cater to various interior design preferences and lighting needs. Among the featured sconces, the Tri Stars Sconce by David Rockwell, created in collaboration with Lasvit, draws inspiration from the constellations of Grand Central Terminal, offering a starry glow. The Trifoglio Sconce by Achille Salvagni introduces an architectural pop of color, while the Apollo by Studio 0405 embraces the current chrome trend with its elegant design. The Gemma Sconce, a collaboration between In Common With and Sophie Lou Jacobsen, brings a blend of timelessness and whimsy, reflecting Jacobsen's buzzy reputation in glassware. The Oscar Sconce Glass Shade from Roman and Williams provides a classic, versatile option with its swinging arm. For pendant lighting, the "It’s Lit Pendant" by artist Kathy Taslitz features a warm design woven from leather and oak, ideal for living rooms or entryways. The Lure Radiata Sprig 2 from Pelle showcases a seamless blend of biophilic forms and contemporary functionality, echoing organic shapes. The Iriss Suspensions by Maylis et Charles Tassin, available through the Invisible Collection, elevates alabaster lighting with a distinctive and sophisticated design. Mark D. Sikes' Metal No. 2 Pendant offers a straightforward geometric form that effectively unifies a space. The collection also highlights several unique chandeliers. Luca Nichetto’s Afloat collection with Lladro presents a playful, puffy, and balloon-like chandelier. The Ginkgo Blossom Chandelier by Rosie Li is a sculptural bronze piece cast in the form of lilting ginkgo flowers, serving as a striking accent. The Neo-Vanity Pendant Light by Kiki Goti, with its colorful foam-and-aluminum construction, caters to those with adventurous interior tastes. The Astrid Chandelier by Four Hands provides warmth and drama through its dynamic leather-and-brass construction. Additionally, the iconic PH Artichoke lamp by Poul Henningsen receives a contemporary update with a Fendi Casa edition featuring signature Fendi stripes. Rounding out the selections are several other notable sconces. The Banner Sconce by Blue Green Works draws inspiration from 1930s and ’40s military tattoos, available in metallic hues and the featured bright blue. Aerin’s Loire Small Sconce offers a delicate option for those seeking a softer, more subtle glow. Finally, Vincent Pocsik’s Ear Blooms 2 sconces are characterized by humanoid shapes and exceptional woodwork, making a bold statement. This diverse array of lighting fixtures provides ample choices for individuals looking to enhance their home's aesthetic and atmosphere with unique and contemporary designs. #LightFixtures #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #LightingTrends #Sconces #PendantLights #Chandeliers #Euroluce #SaloneDelMobile

Joel Fitzpatrick, a lighting designer with a diverse background spanning theater, fashion, interior design, and dance, discusses his latest project, 'Aurora,' a dynamic, multicolored light show for Rafael Viñoly’s 277 Fifth Avenue. Fitzpatrick explains that his career has come full circle with this project, which was inspired by his unforgettable experience witnessing the aurora borealis in Alaska during his art school years at Bennington, Vermont. He recounts how the sheer awe of the natural phenomenon compelled him to wake his entire campus to share the experience, emphasizing the mystical and volumetric qualities of the Northern Lights. The 'Aurora' installation at 277 Fifth Avenue presented a unique opportunity, as the building's unfinished state allowed for creative flexibility. Fitzpatrick highlights the architectural advantage of the tower's double-height loggias, which he describes as creating a sensation of 'flying in the city' and celebrating altitude. He explains that extensive lighting tests were conducted, drawing inspiration from these outdoor spaces. The initial 'Aurora' piece was installed at the top of the building before windows were in place, with future plans for a 3D light sculpture art piece within all the loggias. Fitzpatrick expresses profound inspiration from this project, viewing it as a convergence of his diverse experiences. He notes that New York City is currently experiencing a shift towards celebrating light as an architectural feature, akin to Paris's long-standing tradition. He observes that the Manhattan skyline is becoming more colorful, with architects increasingly integrating light into their designs to create compelling visual experiences for the public. The conversation also touches upon a pivotal moment in Fitzpatrick's career: his involvement with Hush Puppies, which was referenced by Malcolm Gladwell in 'The Tipping Point.' Fitzpatrick attributes his success in various fields to his passion, foresight, and willingness to embrace new challenges, describing it as a 'gut feeling' rather than just a 'tipping point.' He recalls how the advent of the blue LED enabled full-color spectrum lighting, revolutionizing his work in fashion, particularly with his Nolita store, Aether, which was an early adopter of fully color-lit commercial spaces. He considers the ability to be both technical and creative as crucial to his multifaceted career. Fitzpatrick further elaborates on his initial foray into lighting, explaining that his desire for collaboration, rather than the solitary nature of sculpture, led him to modern dance and theater. He values the collaborative process for its intellectual and creative stimulation, and its capacity to push boundaries and foster communication, while still allowing for solitary artistic creation. His ultimate aspiration, following the 'Aurora' project, is to create a permanent, artful outdoor light installation on the Manhattan skyline that would captivate viewers and offer a meditative experience. He admires natural light phenomena like 'Manhattanhenge' and sunsets, particularly those he's witnessed in Shelter Island and Lamu, Kenya, referring to the sun as 'the ultimate lighting designer.' He concludes by expressing his intention to plan a trip to Iceland and Greenland to re-experience the Northern Lights, viewing it as a prelude to a significant outdoor light sculpture project in New York. #LightingDesign #JoelFitzpatrick #ManhattanSkyline #ArchitecturalLighting #AuroraLightShow #NewYorkCity #277FifthAvenue #UrbanArt #PublicInstallation

Danielle Trofe, through her brand MushLume Lighting, is pioneering a new direction in design by transforming mushrooms into light fixtures. This innovative approach integrates nature, technology, and craftsmanship, offering a forward-looking vision for interior spaces. The article highlights an interview with Danielle Trofe in her Brooklyn studio, where she discussed the origins and development of her mycelium-based lighting products. Trofe's journey into biomaterials began in 2011 with Danielle Trofe Design, initially focusing on hydroponics. However, in 2014, her research into sustainable material alternatives led her to discover mycelium, the root structure of fungi. The realization that she could grow objects into specific shapes using a living organism became a pivotal moment, inspiring her to dedicate a decade to collaborating with a biomaterials company to bring mycelium to the forefront of lighting design. This commitment addresses the growing concern over the environmental impact of mass production by offering a sustainable alternative. Mycelium is a rapidly renewable material known for its strength, fire resistance, and biodegradability. It grows by binding agricultural byproducts, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious design. Trofe explained that MushLume Lighting utilizes low-heat LED bulbs, which are well-suited to the fire-resistant properties of mycelium. The production process involves hand-packing hemp substrate into molds, allowing the mycelium to grow into a solid structure within 7-10 days, forming the base of the lamps. The lamps’ domes feature natural curves that enhance the interior illumination, creating a soft and inviting glow. The use of natural, VOC-free lime wash provides earth tones that complement the organic texture of the mycelium. Addressing common concerns about using living organisms in home products, Trofe clarified that the mycelium lamps are not 'alive' when they reach consumers. The material undergoes a heat and drying process that renders it inert, eliminating any possibility of mushrooms sprouting from the fixtures. The article notes the challenges Trofe faced in establishing MushLume Lighting, as there was no existing brand to support this novel material. This necessitated creating a new brand to introduce, cultivate, and validate mycelium as a viable product in the market. While MushLume Lighting has been established in the U.S. for a decade, it has recently gained traction in European markets, where sustainability is a central tenet of design. This expansion underscores the alignment of Trofe’s work with the continent's eco-conscious movement. Trofe's passion for nature and sustainability is a driving force behind her design philosophy, emphasizing the need for balance in human creations and a deeper connection with the environment. She expressed inspiration from algae as a potential future material due to its rapid renewability and ability to replace more resource-intensive options. The article concludes with a tour of Trofe's studio, highlighting the hands-on craftsmanship involved in filling molds and observing the mycelium growth process. This blend of scientific innovation and artistic creation reflects Trofe’s thoughtful approach to design. The interview ended with Trofe sharing her ideal dinner guests, including figures like Merlin Sheldrake, Paul Stamets, Tom Dixon, Zaha Hadid, Ray Eames, and Lonneke Gordijn, indicating a broad appreciation for both scientific and design pioneers. #LightingDesign #BiophilicDesign #InnovationDesign #InnovativeMaterials #SustainableDesign #MyceliumLighting #DanielleTrofe #MushLumeLighting

This article highlights ten Brutalist-inspired lighting fixtures that incorporate metal, concrete, and design elements reminiscent of the Brutalist architectural style. The featured pieces showcase a blend of robust materials and functional aesthetics, making a strong statement in interior design. Among the selections is the Cubo light sculpture by Articolo Studios, crafted from brass, bronze, and glass, offering a distinctive geometric form. Lauren Rottet and Visual Comfort & Co. contribute the Entoure 17-inch rotating LED light pendant, designed in bronze, emphasizing a sleek and modern rotating mechanism. Jay Jermyn and Objects For Thought present the Sequence lamp, constructed from aluminum and frosted white glass, which provides a diffused, ambient light. Luca Nichetto, in collaboration with Matter Made, introduces the Legato Double Strings pendant. This fixture combines aluminum, brass, and acrylic with a textured graphite finish, creating a sophisticated multi-light arrangement. Eric Weil Designs offers the Brion lamps, which are made from board-formed concrete, featuring fabric-wrapped cords and patinated-brass touch controllers, highlighting the raw, industrial nature of Brutalism. Studio Italia Design, through Lodes, showcases the A-Tube Nano Swing recessed light. This ultra-light aluminum and transparent methacrylate fixture in chrome demonstrates a minimalist approach to recessed lighting. Sebastian Herkner and Vibia contribute the Class series, including floor and table lamps, as well as sconces, all made from aluminum and borosilicate glass with polycarbonate diffusers, offering a refined yet sturdy presence. Ilmiodesign's Belt floor lamp for Estiluz features a metal body, an optional glass shade, an acrylic lens diffuser, and integrated LED lighting, providing both functionality and a contemporary aesthetic. Zafferano’s Pina XXL cordless desk lamp, made from powder-coated die-cast aluminum, offers portability and a robust build, ideal for various settings. Finally, Ingo Maurer’s Shhh! pendant light presents a more whimsical yet industrial design. Each of these fixtures exemplifies the influence of Brutalism through their material choices, forms, and functional integration, making them suitable for diverse modern interiors seeking a bold and impactful lighting solution. #BrutalistDesign #LightingFixtures #InteriorDesign #ModernLighting #ProductDesign #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalLighting #ContemporaryDesign