In Milan’s city showrooms, new designs were launched and tributes paid to classic icons. And in one of the side streets, we discovered a newcomer that made us smile…

PURE FUN

Featured above – shades, a new collection of lamps with silicone shades by SowdenLight, allows for multiple configuration possibilities thanks to the modularity of the components. Great for the diffusion of light and available in bright colours, the shades are durable and entirely washable. The collection includes pendant lamps, table lights, floor lamps and a portable battery light for indoor-outdoor use.

NEXT LEVEL

Vine Light – the product of a collaboration between BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and Artemide – is a new- generation task light with a pure and balanced line and two joints that allow maximum freedom of use. It will perfectly illuminate a work surface, but it will also create multiple light scenarios, leaving you free to shape your own lighting design. There is a touch dimmer in the head for easy, intuitive adjustment. The collection includes a table lamp, a lamp that can be fixed to a work surface, two wall-mounted variants, and a floor lamp.

FOREVER ADJUSTABLE

The Ayno lighting family is the first new design by Midgard Licht – a German company founded in Hamburg in 1919 by Curt Fischer, the inventor of adjustable lighting – since 1950. With this collection, industrial designer Stefan Diez won the German Sustainability Award in Design 2021.

RE-EDITION

Midgard Licht’s re-edition of its K831 model is based on a rare draft version of the original 1930 design.
The swivelling shade allows you to direct the light wherever you need it.

MOBILITY

The transversal, portable Takku from Artemide looks great in a workspace or living spaces, and offers 32 hours of freedom from the main electricity supply. The head controls the diffused emission with an optical element on its lower surface.

PURE MAGIC

Stellar Nebula is a family of suspension lamps designed by BIG in collaboration with Artemide. The master glassmaker not only shapes the glass by blowing into a standard mould, but also expresses their know-how with techniques that softly alter the basic shape and accentuate the uniqueness of each piece.

PAST + FUTURE ICONS

Created by Copenhagen designers Birgitte Due Madsen and Jonas Trampedach, Moby is made from Acovi acrylic with an integrated LED light source. As the soft light from Karakter illuminates the cavity, it draws attention to its curves.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Parentesi light, Flos reissued it in Turquoise and Signal Orange to celebrate designer Achille Castiglioni and automotive designer Pio Manzù’s favourite colours. Parentesi hangs from the ceiling, but is anchored to the floor by a 5kg weight that keeps it straight and steady.

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It’s no fun waking up only to be greeted in the glaring bathroom light by a stranger squinting in the mirror. While there’s nothing to do about the stranger, there’s much ado about the light, according to three local experts.

Francesco Abbate

Spazio

• It is better to install light fittings on each side of the mirror, approximately 80cm apart.
• Avoid putting downlighters above the mirror as they will create vertical shadows over your face.
• When choosing a light fitting to install in your bathroom, make sure that the light source (bulb) is quite powerful, in order to give good illumination, and that the colour temperature of the light source is warm white (3 000 Kelvin).
• Ensure that the light fitting is outside of your peripheral vision to avoid glare.

spaziolighting.com

READ MORE: 5 Bathroom Design Trends to Look Out for in 2022

Paul Pamboukian

Paul Pamboukian Light Design

• General lighting tends to wash over everything, so put the light where needed.
• Position the bathroom vanity mirror light roughly at head height to shine directly on the face. Front light irons out the folds and topographical contours of the face.
• Use a variety of individually controlled lights in different positions. Dimming in a bathroom is essential for creating mood.
• Candlelight creates the most comforting and relaxing ambience and is also handy during load-shedding. Why not go for decorative, permanently mounted candle fixtures?

ppald.com

READ MORE: How to Design a Guest Bathroom

Gibbie Fajardo

LEDS-C4

• The bathroom is one of the most difficult areas in the home to light and it is therefore very important to achieve the correct lighting balance between task – or functional – and ambient light.
• For functionality, wall-mounted fluorescent-type fittings that emit light forward are the best way to lighten vanity mirrors for make-up and shaving purposes.
• To create a comfortable ambient effect, the use of indirect light is most suitable. Using LED strip lighting behind the mirror and under the vanities creates a soft and floating effect.

leds-c4.com/en

Looking for more on bathroom design or architecture? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here, or take a look at these bathroom trends.

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Table lamps serve a practical purpose, and are essential to any lighting scheme – but they should also look fabulous while shining their light.

Whether you’re illuminating a cosy reading nook, adding flair to a bedside table, or elevating your living room decor, the right lamp can transform a space. From sculptural designs to vintage-inspired pieces, these statement table lamps combine style and practicality, proving that lighting can be both fun and functional. Here, our pick of stunning lamps that will shine beautifully in any room.

Statement Table Lamps to Brighten Your Space with Style

The Sculptural Baobab Lamp

Function meets art with this lamp, which was designed by the talented Maria Magdalena Atelier, and created by Palmy Living in collaboration with ceramic artist Corinne de Haas.

POA | palmyliving.com

Blowtorch Lamp

This sculptural, hand-thrown terracotta lamp from Dokter + Misses has roots in industrial tools. It makes a fun addition to any bedroom or office.

POA | dokterandmisses.com

The Paradise Light

Arrange Studio took inspiration from the Birds of Paradise and the many colours found in nature when creating this dreamy light. Each light is made with a golden colour on the inside of the top shade to emit a golden glow when turned on. Magical!

R6 800 | arrangestudio.co.za

152 Desk Lamp

The Dokter + Misses 152 desk lamp packs alot of punch into a stripped-down design

POA | dokterandmisses.com

Taché

Creative-Cables Taché is inspired by one of the most beloved objects of the design world: the paper clip.

R1 673 | creative-cables.co.za

Hightower Lamp

Using raffia for both base and shade, the Hightower lamp from Studio19 is a textural feast.

R7 000 | studio19.co

Gubi’s 5321 lamp

Gubi’s 5321 lamp (available at Crema), originally designed in 1941 by Paavo Tynell, is the epitome of vintage romance and femininity

POA | cremadesign.co.za

Geometric Table Lamp

Pedersen + Lennard have made the perfect bedside or occasional lamp. It has a simple and functional design which fits in well to any home decor style.

R1 595 | pedersenlennard.co.za

Law and Disorder Lamp

This lamp from OKHA is made using mirror-polished stainless steel sheets. Three equally proportioned trapezoid shapes connect to form the lamp base, which in turn connects the equilateral triangle to the shade.

POA | okha.com

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Natural Inspiration

A pervading theme was the influence of nature on the designs. From fanciful flowers to more obscure references, the natural world serves as inspiration. Nemo launched a powerful LED task light called Bird, which balances on the edge of a surface. “It is for small desks where you don’t want big bases taking up room,” explains Federico Palazzari, CEO of Nemo. The Madre lamp for Foscarini also captured this whimsical ode to nature with its charming blossom vase concept.

Bird by Nemo

Less is More

On the flipside, forms have simultaneously become strikingly simple, distilled down to the barest essentials. LED comes into play here, its easy application allowing for more versatile and out-of-the-box designs. Brands like Artemide showed just how pared back you can go with its La Linea light, while the Wireline by Formafantasma for Flos is an elegant curvilinear solution, using a combination of hard and soft elements. “The lamp plays on the contrast between the industrial feeling of the rubber and the sophistication of glass,” says Andrea Trimarchi of Formafantasma.

La Linea by Artemide

Wireline by Formafantasma for Flos

Past Glass

There is a big return to handblown and crafted glass designs – whether nostalgic and retro (think Mid-century-inspired spheres) or highly decorative. The Marcel Wanders Adonis collection for Barovier & Toso is everything about this move back to craft and a celebration of the ornate rolled into one. Inspired by the Dutch floral tradition, with these forms channeled through Murano glass making, the collection shows a modern interpretation of a traditional technique.

Marcel Wanders Adonis collection for Barovier & Toso

The post 3 Lighting Trends For 2019 appeared first on Visi.

1. Sculptural Statements

A statement lighting fixture can instantly add drama to a room, whether in the kitchen, dining room, living room, foyer or outdoors. One way to incorporate sculptural lighting into your home is with designs from Italian brands like Vibia or Zava, or homemade Spanish lighting brand, Arturo Alvarez. In 2018 we can expect to see gorgeous statement lighting pieces such as orb hanging lights, cage light fixtures, as well as traditional lantern pendant lights. On-trend options include oversized light fixtures and contemporary chandeliers.

Arturo Alvarez – FLUO Collection.

2. Botanics

Lighting systems that incorporate plants are normally associated with an outdoor environment, however plants have for some time become a trend in living spaces. The addition of greenery to lighting fixtures is perfectly showcased in the Vibia Palma Collection.

Vibia – Palma 3702 Silueta.

Vibia – Palma 3728 Silueta.

3. Shades of Metallic (Gold/ Rose Gold/ Brass)

Metallic highlights work well with contemporary decor, adding a touch of drama to a living space while combining traditional and contemporary lighting styles. Below, a post-modern asymmetric light from Schwung Homes, is a great example, made from solid brass with seven, mouth-blown glass globes.

Schwung Homes – Soap B7 Chandelier.

4. Minimal Bare Bulbs / Vintage Edison-Style Bulbs

Lighting trends in 2018 aren’t only revolving around the fixtures themselves, but rather the bulbs. Vintage Edison-style bulbs in open light fixtures add a unique element to lighting designs. Energy-efficient LED lights are designed to replicate vintage bulbs, as can be seen in the Nando Collection below, designed by Luca De Bona & Dario De Meo for Karman.

The Nando Collection, designed by Luca De Bona & Dario De Meo for Karman.

The Nando Collection, designed by Luca De Bona & Dario De Meo for Karman.

 5. Industrial-Style

From rustic finishes to neutral colours, industrial-inspired designs are being explored in a more refined way this year. Vibia’s range of table lamps, floor lamps and pendant lighting, including the Algorithm design below, is a great example.

Vibia – Algorithm.

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Francesco Abbate, Managing Director of Spazio Lighting, highlights five key trends to look out for this year.

1. GOLD AND BLACK

“Art Deco-inspired black and gold decor was front and centre at Euroluce 2017. Warm metallics paired with striking black walls and furniture add a dramatic yet stylish effect to interior settings.”

2. CUSTOMISABLE HAND-MADE SINGLE PIECES

“The modern consumer is spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing lights. Designers are getting into the habit of creating single pieces that can be altered and added onto to create a custom light based on a customer’s specific requirements.”

3. THIN WIRES

“Creating a clustering effect with lights is another trend on display at Euroluce 2017. This makes for a dramatic lighting feature in, for example, a double-volume staircase. It is done by using a single base with a number of thin wires hanging from it, each with its own light.”

4. BATTERY OPERATION

“We are all very conscious of the global movement towards energy efficiency. Using rechargeable battery-operated light fittings are energy saving and give you an element of portability.”

5. WARM WHITE LEDS

“Warm white (2 700 K) LED lighting creates an inviting atmosphere, and complements the warm metals and rich tones that we are seeing so much of in lighting and design.”

The post 5 Lighting Trends for 2017 appeared first on Visi.

Paul Pamboukian, lighting designer and director at Pamboukian Light Design, sheds some light on the science behind LED.

What is LED lighting?

The typical red LED (light emitting diode) indicator lights found on most electrical appliances that indicate power were developed in the Sixties and LED lighting as we know it today is a relatively recent development of this basic technology. The development was so revolutionary that the inventor Shuji Nakamura, regarded as the inventor of the blue LED, was one of three recipients of the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics.

The post What You Need To Know: LED Lights appeared first on Visi.

Lights do more than just illuminate interiors. They can also be great decorative elements to add style and sophistication to your space.

Here is a round-up of the five trends you should look out for in 2017.

1. GEOMETRIC

Offering a striking Mid-century Modern minimalist aesthetic, these pendants aren’t purely for contemporary interiors; their versatility lies in their utter simplicity.

Metal shade, wooden stem, 3m suspension. Available from R907.

Metal shade. wooden stem, 3m suspension, Available from R1 574.

2. MIXED METALS

The trend blends vintage with an urban-industrial feel, which makes it adapt to the decor. Coppers and golds add a warm glow, underpinned by a hot sub-trend of brushed metal and matte.

CLUB – available in rose gold and black, and in small, medium and large 3m suspension, from R713 each.

BELTA – aluminium shade, wooden stem, 3m suspension. Available in matte copper and matte grey from R1 381 each.

GLOSS – plated glass shade, metal base, 3m suspension. Available in copper and chrome from R1 966 each.

3. BOLD PENDANTS

An evolution from the chandeliers. the statement pendant is a wonderfully simple way to add style and personality to your home.

FLARE – ashwood shade, 3m suspension, from R3 306.

4. EDISON LAMPS

A popular choice that’s sleek and understated yet full of retro personality. Minimalist without being overly modern, these lamps provide warm, subtle light.

DITTO 3 – pendants with aluminium body. Available in matte black, copper and dark grey from R434.
Filaments bought separately.

LOOP – table lamp with iron stem and wooden base. Available in rose gold, matte black and white from R377.

5. LED LIGHTS

Everything is moving towards LED, says Francesco Abbate, managing director of Spazio. “This is technology that has become affordable and can now be used as a standard specification in any lighting design. LED Lights reveal the true colours of an object when compared to a natural light source.”

LEDBAY – aluminium shade, 3m suspension, LED driver. Available in white, R2 677.

FESTI – die-cast aluminium 3m suspension, includes LED driver. Available in silver, white and black from R1 842.

Get your copy of LIGHT magazine with the Autumn Issue of VISI (VISI 89), on shelves now.

Click here for more lighting inspiration. To find out where you can buy the above lighting examples, visit spazio.co.za.

The post 5 Lighting Trends To Look Out For In 2017 appeared first on Visi.