Most wall-mounted lighting is rather subdued — you know, the kind of ceiling-aimed lamps you find at the movies. Not this lamp. The Lite Source Technic Wall Lamp ($50) features a fully-adjustable spot light that looks as industrial as it sounds. The 35-watt light provides terrific direct lighting, and the industrial design will add a touch of flair to any wall it's mounted on.
Not often are lamps as versatile as they are beautiful. The Eclipse Lamp ($100), designed by Mauricio Klabin, is made from a single ribbon-like strip of plastic and a metal frame. The shade can be adjusted to change the lighting coming from the lamp, and the movable stabilizing rings on the frame allow the lamp to lay in many different positions. At 60 watts it's no spotlight, but that's fine by us.
There are lots of smooth, modern pendant lamps available, but it's not everyday we find one this organic. The Roost Pendant Lamp ($950-$1500) is made from bittersweet and grape vines that are hand hammered with patinaed brass coil, creating a bird nest-like bundle that creates terrific lighting effects with warm ambient light and amazing shadows. Sure, it might look like you found it in the woods, but isn't that the point?
Lighting is one of the, if not the, most important "mood" elements in a room, so if you plan on getting any this Valentine's Day, make sure you are using diffused light — like the light from the Taccia Lamp ($2316). Prohibitively expensive, yes, but absolutely gorgeous with a twenty-inch revolving glass diffuser perched atop a black or aluminum grey base. For the price, we'd like it to be bigger — but it's cool nonetheless.
We've seen battery-powered lights before, but never one like this. The Battery Lamp ($35) combines a D-cell battery, used as the base, and a shade that holds a bright LED and a fully working pull chain on/off switch. Sure, it's not the biggest light in the world — but it should look great adding a little light to your desk.
There's nothing quite like a classic — and few shoe silhouettes say classic the way the 574 does, with a legacy that dates all the way back to 1988. Though plenty of new colorways have been introduced since the original gray, black, and white, none stand out like the New Balance Neon Lights 574. Available in several bold color combinations accentuated by bright neon highlights, these shoes feature glow-in-the-dark technology that illuminates them at night. Combining luminous accent colors with the cushioning of an ENCAP midsole, they're the ideal blend of time-tested wearability and unique, exciting style.
This pendant light sports an awesome minimalist clear desing that shows off the bulb, socket and cable. Designed by Sofie Refer, the Bulb Pendant Lamp ($135) is made of thick mouth blown glass and will look spectacular whever it's hung.
Like most of our favorite lighting sources, the Gaffer's Bounce Lamp ($100) features diffused light, creating a well-lit, yet soft light. Designed by movie gaffer Edward Cohen and fine arts sculptor David Johnson, the lamp projects a 20-watt floodlight at one of two different polycarbonate reflectors to create gentle lighting that is mush easier on the eyes than traditional direct lighting.
Not every lamp needs a shade. The Ogusdesign Table Lamp ($300-$340) emits a "wall" of light thanks to the pane of frosted glass that sits atop its aircraft aluminum base. A flush-mounted halogen bulb provides the light, and a serial number on the bottom of the base confirms authenticity. A perfect way to light up a modern room.
"Fra-gee-lee... that must be Italian," the Old Man commented as he began prying open the crate to find his major award. Now you too can buy this tacky american movie icon. The Red Rider Leg Lamp ($140-$175) is an identical replica of the one featured in everyone's favorite holiday movie. You can even download a "Major Award" certificate and get the lamp shipped in a full-size wooden crate packed with straw and stenciled with "FRAGILE" to complete the experience. Whether you get it for yourself or as a gift, your home will never be the same after you have the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.
This organically-shaped table lamp from Herman Miller uses several LED lights and a vertical blade to let you create a variety of lighting conditions. Designed by Yves Behar, the Leaf Lamp ($500) also has a heat distribution system to keep things cool, and its LEDs use less than 12 watts of power — 40% less energy than a compact fluorescent light. It's available in red, white, black, silver or polished.
If boring floor lamps have your pad looking in the dumps, spruce it up with these Toto Cube Lamps ($228) from Design Within Reach. Made in France, the lamps pull double duty as a soft glow light and also as a washable table surface which can hold just under 200 pounds. They offer both function and visual impact to your crib and can even serve as an occasional stool.
Have you ever had the problem of trying to get the lighting in a room just right? Instead of swapping out and repositioning lamp after lamp, give the Motorlight ($850; late Oct.) a shot. It uses just a single lamp in conjunction with an angle-adjusting reflector, which allows you to make sure the light coming out is just right. In addition, it can be set to cycle through different angles, creating "active" mood lighting with waves of light — making a great environment for parties, guests, or just a quiet evening at home with your mate.
The swiveling, white resin Cobra Table Lamp ($890) can instantly turn any room into a habitat dripping of style cred. Created by Italian designer Elio Martinelli in 1968, the Cobra lamp has become one of the classic design icons. And if you think it's a little pricey like us, just consider that the price quoted here is the sale price. Nova68, the online store selling the lamp, says retail on this bad boy is $1,250.
The Archimoon K Table Lamp ($310) from Room & Board is one of the few task lamps we've really dug lately. Designed by Philippe Starck, the adjustable lamp will look absolutely great on a desk or nightstand.
We're all about unusual lamps, and the Hand Grenade Oil Lamp ($40-$60) is no exception. Made from real US Army surplus grenades and sealed with a genuine US quarter, the lamp is nothing if not authentic. Designed by Dutchman Piet Houtenbos, the lamps are easily refillable and burn for around 24 hours on one fill. Fire in the hole! [Thanks, Daniel!]
This is a lamp that will definitely bring a sense of danger to your decor. The Wet Lamp ($200-$320) is a hand-blown glass lamp with a water-submerged light bulb inside. And if that doesn't sound life threatening enough, you dim it by inserting a thin, silver rod into the water. The Wet Lamp comes in small (4"H x 4"W), medium (6"H x 6.5"W) and large (6"H x 8.5"W) sizes, depending on how quickly you want to drop dead.
Our friends at Design Public just started taking orders for this modern lamp by Pablo Pardo. The Pablo Tube Top Table Lamp ($100-$270) features a tinted or clear acrylic base along with a lightweight mesh fabric shade in either chocolate or cream. It comes in 14, 21, and 27 inch sizes to fit any room.
The folks at Design Public alerted us to this great lamp today. The Legna Pendant Lamp ($220-$300) blends classic wood grain with modern minimalist light strips to create a super sleek addition to any room. The hand-made lamp is available in teak or zebrawood, and is guaranteed to be an upgrade that you won't be sorry you made.
We don't recommend this lamp for your living room, but it would be more than perfect to spice up your home office or cubicle. Standing at about 15-inches tall, the Push Pin Lamp ($20) is available in red, orange, blue or green, and has a cork base that's made for hanging up notes and reminders using "real" push pins.
