The Modern Materialist : lighting

Jellyfish Chandelier

Diana Vilibert — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:17:00 GMT

I was in agreement with Steph when she posted these scary jellyfish lights. But here's how to do creepy under-the-sea creature lighting...the RIGHT way:

The Medusa by Géraldine Gonzalez is made of crystal paper and as far as jellyfish go, is actually really beautiful

[$9,100, Gizmodiva]

Fine Art That Will Light Up Your Life

Steph Auteri — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:56:00 GMT

Are you a newbie to the art market, confused about when to spend your money and when to save?

Are you looking to invest in a piece of fine art that evokes the work of the classic sculptors?

Are you in the dark when it comes to quality craftsmanship and artistry?

[$129, Generate]

These Venus de Milo lamps could possibly shed some light on the issue.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

X-Ray Light

Alex Zalben — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:34:00 GMT

The other day I was at my dentist's office. You know, for a dentist appointment? Anyway, I was struck by how annoying and useless x-rays are. Boy, was I wrong.

These lights are created by taking x-rays of incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, then mounted on black boxes, for a cool looking X-Ray Box effect.

[$230, Generate]

A Sconce with Bite

Laureen Mahler — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:33:00 GMT

This is an alligator head on a sconce. Terrifying, no?

Well, this manages to be even more terrifying:

[Price upon request, Clayton Oxford]

An alligator head on a sconce in the dark. Who exactly thought this would be a good idea?

[via Nerd Approved]

Sick Chandelier, Brah

Shaun Seneviratne — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:03:00 GMT

[photo via Sontra's Flickr]

Are you a bachelor in need of some lighting for your pad/bro-down zone that reflects your love of hacky sacks, beer bongs, and air hockey? This would look great in your frat house:

[$225, Lighting by Lux]

As much as I fucking love air hockey, I don’t think I could ever own this un-ironically. However, this skateboard one may be more up my alley:

[$150, Nova Lighting Store]

This basketball one is neutral in my book:

[$190, Nova Lighting Store]

[Via The Awesomer]

If Clowns Made Lights

Shaun Seneviratne — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:12:00 GMT

[photo via]

Blown Ups - glass blown, floor standing lights. Available in clear or frosted glass.

Hot and cold.

Kaboom!

[Thelermont Hupton]

[Via Cool Hunting]

Pet (Owner) Product: One Too Many Cats

Steph Auteri — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:01:00 GMT

When you have two cats, it's manageable. They only require one litter box...one feeding a day...They sleep by your feet at night, but are mostly invisible during the working hours...They wait their turn when it comes to playing with the Cat Dancer, or being snuggled, because they like to pretend they don't need snuggles anyways.

When you have three cats, it feels like they're everywhere, and the work required to care for them is suddenly three times as much.

[$24, Fred Flare]

Fred Flare suggests getting a Kitty Kat Light instead, but aren't those eyes the creepiest thing you've ever seen!?

Where's The Light @?

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:36:00 GMT

A marquee light for the internet age! Vintage styling in a modern context.

Here's another pic for ya:

[$178, Urban Outfitters]

[Via Nerd Approved]

Peeling Lights

Shaun Seneviratne — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:31:00 GMT

[photo via]

Neat peeling light (though you're pretty much stuck with oddly shapped polygons)!

[Via Yanko Design]

Would Locke Think This Light Was a Sign From The Island?

Shaun Seneviratne — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:02:00 GMT

[photo via EW]

What do the above images have in common?

I don't know either. I was hoping you'd tell me.

The Flight 815 Light was inspired by the ABC's Lost. Perhaps it represents the entanglement of the castaways' lives? Or maybe it's just a cool looking light. You Decide.

Lost returns on Jan. 21st. Though I've given up on that show, I'm still going to watch it through the end. Sigh.

[Via Yanko Design]

Rubik's Cube Lamp

Shaun Seneviratne — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:02:00 GMT

At least this Rubik's Cube Lamp will still look cool even if you can't solve it.

And it comes in clear too:

Pretty sweet! Though I wish there was some information on where this was available. . .

[Via Boing Boing via Go Get It]

The Sweet and the Low: Lights Take Flight

Steph Auteri — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:19:00 GMT

[$2,325, Form + Function]

Way way back, at the beginning of time, I posted about the Ingo Maurer designs lusted after, most notably his winged lightbulbs. In addition to the chandelier above, there was a single winged lightbulb that cost $705.

An eensy bit out of my price range.

If you're drawn to the ethereal feel of a lighting fixture with wings, there are other ways.

[$50, Urban Outfitters]

Much like Tord Boontje's garland light, the bird pendant light is actually a brass sculpture meant to be paired with a bulb on a hanging cord, such as the one conveniently found here.

Shedding Light on Nighttime Reading Habits

Steph Auteri — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

I use a purple Mighty Bright light when I read in bed at night. Sometimes, I use my ol' solar light cap just for fun. Neither of them hold a candle, however, to the Lili Lite.

[119.00 €, Lili Lite]

The Lili LIte is a combination reading light, bookmark, and bookshelf. Nifty, eh? A sensor turns off the light when an open book is placed on the shelf, and turns it on when the book is picked up again.

[Via Design Milk]

Related: Test Drive: 2C Solar Light Cap, Domestic Wish: A Window Seat, Lighten Up

Shed Some Light On This Apartment's Secrets

Steph Auteri — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:54:00 GMT

What a charming lamp! Made of thin perspex, the Magic Apartment Light resembles a — you guessed it! — apartment.

Yes, charming.

Looks like there's more going on in this apartment than can be seen in the dark...

[$37, drink stuff]

Bunsen Burner Lamp

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:54:00 GMT

This bunsen burner lamp is the perfect gift for the science geek in your life--I love it even though I only passed high school chemistry because I baked my teacher a cake.

[Damian Barton]

Love It or Leave It: Guitar Pick Chandelier

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:02:00 GMT

I'm not crazy about items made out of guitar picks (like those necklaces). I'm also not too crazy about this chandelier. However, the promise of cool patterns when this chandelier is lit intrigues me. . .

So, love it or leave it?

[$125, Etsy]

[Via Rare Bird Finds]

Cubic Switchplate

Alex Zalben — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:28:00 GMT

This is a newer piece from one of my favorite companies, Design Glut. I've mentioned several times I'm a sucker for math jokes, and this is a big old math (well, geometry) joke; plus, it looks cool. Here's another version, and pricing:

[$8, Design Glut]

Beyond Solar: Oxygen Producing Lamps

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:58:00 GMT

One small step for green technology, one giant leap for mankind.

These need to be mass produced and shipped around the world immediately.

As all plants do, the algae in these lamps "breath" in carbon dioxide and "exhale" oxygen. These algae just happen to be bioluminescent--producing light without requiring any energy source!

Amazing.

[Via AutoBlogGreen]

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The Opportunity to Park My Butt Makes Me Light Up

Steph Auteri — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:28:00 GMT

This is how I look when I get ridiculously excited about something, like shopping, candy buttons, or sleeping.

You know what else makes me light up?

This light chair, available in several other patterns.

[$3,000, Opulent Items]

Your Teddy Likes To Party Hard

Alex Zalben — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:25:00 GMT

Nope, not a tea party. This teddy likes to party a little more hardcore:

Poor guy ended up with a lampshade on his head. That's going to be the talk of the stuffed animal office tomorrow, I tell you.

[$120, Uncommon Goods]

Another One for the Kaleidoscope Collection

Steph Auteri — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:57:00 GMT

A long, long time ago, I admitted to having my own kaleidoscope collection.

This may make me a dork, but I'm still not going to hide the fact that I get ridiculously excited every time a new kaleidoscope-type item enters the market. Which is why I'm now posting about this nifty new toy:

The Four Seasons Kaleidoscope Dome Projector includes four different bead-filled plates, with two empty ones you can fill on your own.

And then you can project pretty prettiness onto your walls!

Who needs artwork!? (Me. I still need artwork.)

[$98, Brando]

[Via Geek Alerts]

Every Coat Hook Will Be Illuminated

Alex Zalben — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:01:00 GMT

Not necessarily the most efficient use of energy, but this concept is a super cool way to get lighting in yoru front hallway (assuming, of course, that you have a front hallway):

[Palluco]

[Via Apartment Therapy]

How Flat Stanley Gets His Light

Alex Zalben — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:37:00 GMT

You may be familiar with Flat Stanley, the guy who travels around the world teaching kids about how big our globe is. Well, ever wonder how he gets his light? Easy:

The Flat Bulb concept uses less materials, expends less energy, and looks cooler than a regular light bulb. Make it into a halogen, and we have ourselves a deal.

[Via Design Boom]

Love It or Leave It: A Shitty Lamp

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:32:00 GMT

Well, nothing makes a statement like having a toilet plunger lamp hanging in your home. Yes, it's made from a real toilet plunger, and the description claims it's a great addition to the bathroom or kitchen. Thanks, but no thanks. What do you think--love it or leave it?

[$75, I Love Blocks]

Related: Don't Take The Plunger!

It Lights Up My Life

Wendy Atterberry — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:33:00 GMT

I keep this little night light in my bathroom because I abhor overhead bathroom lighting and find a sweet, colorful light makes the whole bathroom experience a tad more civilized. Plus, I have the smallest bladder on the planet and have to pee about 10 times a night and it's just better to turn on a night light instead of a squinting against a blinding overhead in the middle of the night which always makes it that much more difficult to fall back asleep and dream of lovely things like cupcakes and vintage Johnny Depp.

Yeah so, this is a cool night light. You should buy it.

[$40, Happy Owl Glass]

Easy To Assemble Home Vortex

Alex Zalben — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:33:00 GMT

If you looked at the above picture, and said, "WTF is that?" then you clearly didn't read the title of this post. No joke, this is an "easy to assemble" Vortex tunnel that includes the siding you see, the bridge, and all necessary lighting.

Oh, and guess how much it costs?

[$7400, Haunted Props]

By the way, in case you want to customize it, you can add 3-D Fabric, Space Ghosts, Mirror Panels, a see-through Catwalk, a sound system, and a strobing black light. You know, for your Vortex Tunnel?

[Via Nerd Approved]

Another Bright Idea

Steph Auteri — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

Earlier this week, I posted about a pretty bright idea, done up by a pretty bright designer. Bright ideas abound and, two days later, Alex introduced us to the equally fabulous work of Samulnoli. The design he didn't mention?

I obviously have a thing for lightbulbs that aren't lightbulbs, because I'm wild about these X-Ray Lights.

Equation: A Bright Idea?

Steph Auteri — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:50:00 GMT

The Pocket Light is about the size of a credit card and powered by a small cell. It's still in the design stage, but I'm thinking it's a pretty bright idea...perhaps even bright enough to make it to production?

[Via Charles & Marie]

Bowled Over By This Quirky Lamp

Steph Auteri — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:24:00 GMT

As a bowling league flunkie, I'm still tickled pink every time I see a clever bowling-themed product. This lamp is the latest I-sorta-want-this item:

[$38, Urban Outfitters]

The Sweet and the Low: Cascading Blossoms

Steph Auteri — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:08:00 GMT

Way back when, about a trillion years ago, I posted about this Garland chandelier, designed by Tord Boontje. I have since purchased the Garland ($76), and it now sits in my closet.

I have yet to purchase a hanging lightbulb to go along with it (sadly not included), and am in no rush, as there's no room for the light to go up in our one-bedroom anyways.

Perhaps I should have saved the money — and the space — and gone with this:

This cascade wall graphic by Elly Nelly is like a one-dimensional version of the chandelier I so coveted! And cheaper, too. What do you guys think? Was my chandelier purchase worth it, or did I leap too quickly?

[$40, Supermarket]