Lighting

Need a cure for idle hands? Consider the endlessly mutable Birzì lamp by Carlo Forcolini and Giancarlo Fassina. Made of pressed silicone, this foldable piece begs to be bent, twisted, and repositioned. The ductile and durable light source—in white, green, or orange—makes for hours of amusement in a residential setting. It also makes for a glowing conversation piece in hospitality hot spots. 315 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-989-6265; luceplanusa.com. circle 363

The Hinson Lighting collection represents enlightened ideas from one of the industry's most established names. Featured is Top Secret, a shaggy 14-inch-diameter pendant of heat-proof nylon and polyester netting that hangs from a height-adjustable rod. The minimalist Hopper is a circular ceiling pendant in ex-truded aluminum. The Sandy Nit table lamp is composed of a real ostrich egg with a matte-nickel base. Libra, a precision-balanced matte-nickel reading lamp, rounds out the line. 27-35 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-482-1100. circle 364

What a dazzling difference a few Swarovski crystals can make. Witness the Edges pendant. A 50-watt MR16 is skirted with crystals in a choice of nine colors to create brilliant slivers of light. The fixture measures 31/2 inches square by 41/2 inches high. 61 Industrial Boulevard, Plattsburgh, NY 12901; 518-563-7500; schonbek.com. circle 365

Sleek and straightforward, the cast-aluminum Expo and Inno are offered as cable or stem pendants, ceiling fixtures, or sconces. The Expo has a 61/2-inch diameter and is 10 inches high; the Inno, 7 by 9 inches. 631 Airport Road, Fall River, MA 02720; 508- 679-8131; lightolier.com. circle 366

Daniele Albright and Stefan Lawrence's made-to-order, acrylic Luma is part sconce, part art installation. It takes incandescent light sources and can be delivered in any configuration of the manufacturer's 12 colors. 8057 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323-904-1200; twentieth.net. circle 367

"Pleats please" could be the mantra of the Vision series. The floor lamp is topped with a fabric cylinder in a choice of warm colors; its base is stainless steel. Wall, table, and ceiling models are also offered. 5/7 Via Bernini, 20094 Corsico, Milan, Italy; 39-02-4586-7089; tronconi.com. circle 369

Minimalism meets baroque in this update of the traditional chandelier. Alice is rendered in transparent or sandblasted acrylic and is also available as a sconce. It is 28 inches in diameter and 38 inches from top to bottom. 231 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022; 212-750-1500; lampworksinc.com. circle 368