Lighting

edited by Alexa Yablonski -- Interior Design, 4/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Resolute: This dramatic pendant is part of the perennially popular Clarity series, which also includes wall and ceiling fixtures. The glass shades are available in cobalt blue, clear, and gold. 206-343-9323; www.resoluteonline.com. circle 331

George Kovacs: Only Karim Rashid could dream up Lycra-sheathed lighting. His recent Stretch series boasts undeniable sex appeal. 718-628-5201; www.georgekovacslighting.com. circle 332

Umbra: Designed by Josh Owen, the Tone Knob lamp, in polycarbonate and steel, resembles an oversize radio dial. When turned, it controls the resonance of light emitted. Also in white. 800-387-5122; www.umbra.com. circle 333

Bodo Sperlein: Oil burners might be a decidedly old-school type of lighting, but Bodo Sperlein lends his contemporary touch to Opal. Emanating an inviting glow, this piece further sets the mood when used with scented oils. 44-20-7633-9413; www.bodosperlein.com. circle 334

Creating a collection for Ralph Pucci International was a chance for lighting designer David Weeks to dream big. Because the line is being launched with an installation at Pucci's expansive New York loft-gallery, Weeks made sure his work measured up. "We brought in the original pieces and realized we had to enlarge them by about 150 percent. It's very much about the gallery space—and not disappearing in it," Weeks says. To make an impact, he designed mobiles and chandeliers up to 16 feet across as well as desk lamps, sconces, and ceiling fixtures including an impressive cross-arm version (404). The sculptural pieces—made of steel, spun aluminum, and wood—utilize industrial processes while artfully avoiding the blandness of most mass production. "We use the techniques in a very sensual and artistic way, so the pieces aren't cookie-cutter," Weeks explains. 212-633-0452. circle 335

Element 107: Combining a Douglas fir plywood base with an acrylic top, these Cascade lights epitomize the casual side of cool. 510-649-8895; www.element107.com. circle 336

Dform: New to the Punch Pattern lighting series is the Pucci pendant, fabricated from die-cut wood laminate strips. Available in birch or aspen. 718-384-6887; www.dformdesign.com. circle 337

Hinson & Company: Hinson gets hip with the Valentino table lamp, featuring a frosted globe poised on a clear glass stem with an acrylic-backed base. 718-482-1100. circle 338

Nessen: The company's new hand-forged wrought-iron collection, designed by George Chandler, features four fixtures, including the Burlington sconce (shown). 914-698-7799; www.nessenlighting.com. circle 339

Penta: We were wowed by the radical shape of Musa's handblown glass shade. Shown here in colorless transparent, the shade looks equally stunning in transparent blue or white. The body is made from anodized aluminum, and the base is available in black marble or serene stone. Casa Bella, 954-924-4880; www.penta-lucearredo.it. circle 340

Collaborative: Designed by Jessica Corr, the Kirilume pendant is fabricated from the die-cut electroluminescent film typically used on watch faces and cell phones. 212-260-9475; info@jcollab.com. circle 341

Pablo: The good looks of Gloss aren't strictly superficial. The dazzling twin polycarbonate plastic shades can be positioned at any angle, providing light for both ambient and task needs. Available as either a table or floor lamp with a clear, blue, or smoked shade. 415-822-2712; www.pablodesigns.com. circle 342

Donghia: Stellare Grande is a new addition to the company's successful Venetian glass collection. Available in fieno, lead, ametista, or gold dust. 212-925-2777; www.donghia.com. circle 343

Tango: Albana, designed by Christophe Mathieu, is available in two sizes and comes in finishes such as matte aluminum (shown). 954-767-0100. circle 344

Aero: We love the rough-hewn (but still refined) quality of this stacked lamp, fashioned from raw walnut. Its sculptural good looks are sure to leave an impression. 212-966-1500. circle 345

Modular: This Belgian company is known for futuristic lighting such as the Downie hammer, whose brushed-aluminum finish perfectly accentuates the lamp's muscularity. 32-51-26-56-56; www.supermodular.com. circle 346

Illuminating Experiences: We love the quality of light emitted from the very contemporary Ita wall fixture. It has a brushed-metal frame and a crystal-clear, hand-blown Murano glass plate—behind which are bulbs sheathed in frosted white glass. The result? A distinctive glow from within. 732-745-5858. circle 347

Mark Lewison Design: The Park lamp, deserving pride of place on any starlet's vanity, is about as glam as it gets. Park is made of a clear acrylic base with polished-nickel hardware and a silk sateen shade. Thomas Lavin, 310-278-2456; www.marklewisondesign.com. circle 348

Boyd Lightspace: From Boyd's new division, devoted to the art of illuminating the distinguished office, comes Whisper, an architectural lighting series. There are a number of options—pure indirect, indirect with down-lighting, indirect enhanced with halogen spotlights—all with a sophisticated 1.2-inch profile. 800-276-2693; www.lightspacebyboyd.com. circle 349

Ali Tayar Turns On

According to designer Ali Tayar, the Chain lamp for Parallel Design is a "study of customization in mass production." Each lamp starts out as a 9-by-9-by-2-inch laminated block of wood. A groove is then computer-milled into the block and filled by a silicone LED light in a pattern unique to each piece. Production is numbered but unlimited. 212-989-4959. circle 330

High Wattage

The distinctive translucency of Knolltextiles's revolutionary Imago (fabric sandwiched between two sheets of engineered resin) is perfectly suited to lighting applications, as 100watt Network recently discovered in teaming up with Knoll to create a line of Imago lighting. Another plus: the material allows for endless design possibilities, since a great selection of fabrics can be encapsulated. Of all the new pieces, we were most amazed by the Bloom pendant, reminiscent of festive paper lanterns but a mite more sophisticated—and a lot less flammable. The collection also includes the charming Zelda series, with pendant, table, and floor lamps featuring two concentric Imago rings. The Douglas Varey– designed Box line of industrial-chic sconces is available, too. 888-477-9288; www.100watt.net. circle 350

Focal Point: Andreas Schweglar's Groove collection features a family of boldly shaped fixtures in spun aluminum. 773-247-9494. circle 351

Flos: Jasper Morrison's Luxmaster is unobtrusive but extremely effective. Our favorite features: the adjustable diffuser and spiral-wound electrical cord. Also available as a ceiling lamp (with cross or perpendicular arm) and a wall lamp. 631-549-2745; www.flos.net. circle 352

Alpha Workshops: The artisans at this atelier, which employs people with HIV/AIDS, have turned their attention to lighting. Their current collection includes a playful peekaboo lamp, C-Thru, Too. 212-594-7320. circle 353