GRAFFITI AS CONSUMER ART seems an odd combination but it actually works quite well with Donna Brady’s unique Hi-Light pendants, made from photos of her Brooklyn neighborhood. The names are appropriately urban (take a walk down Kent Street) and the textures unforgettably so: rusted metal walls and pitted concrete surfaces over smooth cylindrical shades make for gritty-meets-swank decor. There’s a raw, untamed beauty to graffiti in general–let’s hope these help to draw awareness to urban blight as much as they capitalize on it.
$130, raredevice.net

LIKE MINI SKYSCRAPERS (or stacks of dna electrophoresis, depending on whom you ask), the Moso Pendant is an elegant piece whose vertical grain veneer naturally invites the eye to scan along its height. An eco-friendly piece with a bamboo frame, bamboo veneer and finished with low V.O.C. oils, designer Brian Schmitt (he brought us yesterday’s Mobiles) even purchases renewable energy credits (a nice alternative to carbon emissions trading) to offset the electricity used to construct each lamp. Not quite available yet as production is slated to begin sometime this summer.
adriftmobiles.com
Via: Inhabitat

ALTHOUGH POLYSTYRENE is best known for its other incarnations, namely Styrofoam, Julianna Holowka has successfully molded its laminated form into an array of wildly creative lamps. Her Josephine Lamp most appeals to feminine sensibilities, with a gentle petal motif rendered in white linen laminated polystyrene, while Chaos resembles twists of cardstock but is too made from plastic. For those with more violent inclinations (I kid), the Mace Lamp has the twin virtues of being both eye-catching and useful in gladiatorial combat.
$200, etsy.com
Via: Design Milk

LIKE TWO ASYMPTOTES the Spun Light approaches convergence with a design that a mathematician would love. Sebastian Wrong’s 2003 piece is inspired by fluid dynamics and made from aluminum. Available in black, white, brown or silver, the lamp is topped with a cylindrical shade that sounds bulky at first but whose curves beautifully complement the buttery smooth aesthetic of the lamp base. Choose from two table lamp sizes and one floor lamp.
$844-$1,460, roomandboard.com

FASCINATING AND WHIMSICAL LIGHTING abounds at Site Specific Design; hopefully these insect-inspired pieces will be offered for sale at some point in the near future. Like a cartoon, only a few well-placed lines are necessary to successfully convey emotion. The results: minimalist pieces that are loaded with fanciful, evocative energy that we’d love to have in our home. Update: These bugs are indeed for sale; they are limited edition and start at $4,200-$9,200.
$4,200-$9,200, sitespecificdesign.com
Via: Cribcandy

WARM SUMMER NIGHTS constantly invite us to linger outside long after dusk (at least in the northern climes), so the Luau portable lamp is particularly timely. Lit by an LED, the abs/polycarbonate lantern can 6-10 hours on a single charge and is dimmable with a simple twist of the base. Includes stylish charging pod, rechargeable NiMH batteries, and our favorite–an integrated handle for easy carrying.
$249, vesselinc.com
Via: StyleHive

A FUSION OF BOTH HEMISPHERES, the Koshi lighting collection is designed by Italy’s Manuel Vivian and recalls the style of traditional Japanese lanterns. Each square-shaped piece lampshade is created from bars of wenge-finished bamboo; alternating gaps allow light from its blown glass stain diffuser to flow through. The glint of chrome-plated fittings balance the warm, earthy light with the look of cold steel; in all, the effect beautiful and mysterious, like a rising sun forever captured behind window shades.
ylighting.com

ROMANTIC MINIMALISTS would do well to include Peter Karpf’s sleek Gemini Candleholders in any candlelight dinner. Elegantly designed, a single piece of stainless steel not only holds two candles but curves to serve as a base. We like them arranged in groups (the combinations are endless) but are just as beautiful on their own.
$60, royalshopping.com

MORE HOLLYWOOD THAN HOME, the Fortuny Lamp (1907) looks more appropriate on a movie set or photography studio with its massive 33″ reflector. Those who love their furniture bold and flashy will definitely appreciate this piece, as its industrially-inspired lines and 8 foot height make it impossible to miss. Although solid black or beige shades are standard, we definitely prefer the more trendy ornamental shades which remind us of Tord Boontje’s frenetic work here.
$3,840, unicahome.com

LIGHTING AFICIONADO Pablo Pardo takes his craft into the world of seating with his Light Table Bench, which promises to cast a translucent glow on rumps and rears the world over. Composed of acrylic (with steel and aluminum hardware), the bench includes a continuous dimmer switch and looks nearly as stylish off as it does on.
$700, dwr.com

STARGAZERS WOULD BE APPALLED: Sven Adolph’s self-named Sven Light not only features 24 LEDs shining downwards but an additional 16 pointed straight up into the sky. Thankfully, the Sven is designed for indoor use and as such provides excellent direct and indirect lighting. The spun aluminum shade features a horizontal slit with an 80s futurist appeal, and is painted white on the inside to maximize reflectivity. Available in red, black or white.
$475, unicahome.com

DISTURBINGLY ORGANIC, Ika’s Sputnik may have been inspired by the famed Russian satellite, but it’s returned home with alien modifications. Available in either a pendant or sconce version, Sputnik is made from hand-blown glass, with delicate twirls on each end emanating from a spherical mass. For the pendant, the lights are housed within the sphere; in the case of the sconce, the very arms serve as light bulbs. Both have overtones of a scifi B-movie; tonight, we’ll dream of gaudy tesla coils and tentacled space invaders.
$450-$849, inmod.com