I'm not going to say that these Recycle Lights by Johanna Keimeyer are pretty because they really aren't (in my opinion), but that doesn't mean I don't like them. Inspired to re-purpose the ugly plastic bottles we all see laying all over the place to into something use-able again, Johanna Keimeyer took a trip through Europe that resulted in this unique collection of eclectic lights that incorporate bottles from water, soda, detergent, and numerous other products. They're especially interesting to me because they look so completely different when the inner bulb is illuminated versus when it isn't. Plus with all that melting and twisting they look really fun to put together!
It's all about "multimedia" these days with cell phones that double as mp3 players and iPods that play movies. But have you ever considered getting yourself a multimedia washbasin? It probably strikes you as ridiculous (and if it doesn't it probably should), but honestly I think it's actually a pretty cool idea. At least I think this interpretation, the Meltdown Sink by WET STUDIO, is a cool idea. The Meltdown functions as (of course) a sink, but in addition to that it has the following decidedly unique and weird (but totally fun and useful) multimedia features: • It glows from within in your choice of orange, lemon, white, or black. • The glow can be customized with a small static projection screen to display personalized messages, artwork, or anything else onto the sink's surface from within. • An internal amplified speaker system allows the sink to play your CDs and mp3s. No more ugly radio in the bathroom messing up your decor!
It may look like intricately carved wood, but this magnificent chandelier is actually made from laser-cut aluminum, glass and stainless steel. Halogen bulbs illuminate faux candles and the result is a glowing spectacle that is surely fit for a mansion. If you don't actually have a mansion in which to hang this chandelier, you will at least need a very large room as the fixture measures 3 feet across. Suspended by aircraft cables and available in several colors , this made-to-order chandelier sells for $3,700.
If you've already heard of Tom Dixon then you'll be glad to know his designs are making the move the to the States this summer. And if you haven't heard of him well then a taste of his work is pictured here, Copper Shade Pendants. They're plastic polycarbonate pendant globes coated internally with copper that look equally beautiful hanging solo or in a large group. Other designs of his that catch my eye are the Fresh Fat Easy Chair and the Spin articulated table candelabra.
If you're looking to add a dose of color to a room, along with some mood lighting, you should check out these Pharos Modern Pendant Lights. They aren't overly bold, but diluted and a little smoky looking instead. I can't really tell, but doesn't look like they'll cast "colored" light either, like some tinted shades do. I think these would look great hanging in a group of the same color, But I actually really like what they have here with different colors grouped together in a totally haphazard way. Designed by Jeremy Piles there are 7 colors in all, $325 each.
Here's a chandelier that doesn't have many of the usual features you expect, like shimmering gold, glittering silver, or even just a sense of the traditional. It strikes me as industrial, and a little juvenile (like a science project), but somehow I still manage to like it. I'm a sucker for mini lights, and this White Orbit chandelier by Patrick Townsend is full of them in all different sizes. So although it may not be shimmering or glittery it definitely has "twinkly" in the bag, as well as apparently giving off "the BEST light." Originally created in 2003, it's currently available from Areaware -- but heads up it won't ship until September. 32"x32", $650.
You wouldn't know it at first glance, but the Remake Light Magnet is actually made up of a set of light boxes that can be moved around into just about any construction that you see fit. The most interesting thing about the modular unit is that only one of the boxes must be affixed to the wall. The rest of the blocks attach with powerful magnets and can be strung out in any design simply by lining them up. The lights are sold in sets of four and one attached light can power a total of 12 boxes. A set of interchangeable color plates is sold separately. Price: $350.
Few things in nature are more beautiful than the early morning sunlight glinting off a tree that has been kissed with dew in the night. The little drops of water are like nature's ornaments and the only way you're going to reproduce the effect inside is with multiple sets of Glass Raindrops. Each of these drops is 1-inch long and is sold in a set of 24. A few sets, along with a string of lights, would make a Christmas tree look amazing. Price: $15 per set ($12, on sale).
Real candles used to be the traditional decorations for Christmas trees, but the fire hazard presents far more risk than the average person is going to want to take in his or her home. Electric lights are a fine substitution, but this stainless steel Tree Tealight Holder presents a way to enjoy the flicker of real flames on a tree in a very safe way. The tree stands almost 23 inches tall and holds 13 candles. Price: $205.
Kate Spade clearly knows that few things are more festive than brightly colored holiday lights, so she used them as the main pattern on her holiday accent plates. The 9-inch china plates work with her Rutherford Circle line of tableware, but the plates can also be used on their own, for dinner or dessert, and can be matched up with other white dinnerware if you already have such collection. The plates come in a set of four and are dishwasher safe. Price: $80.
Halloween is a great holiday, in large part because of all the treats, although the costumes and parties that accompany the holiday are fun, too. The decorations, unfortunately, tend towards being dull or cheesy. You don't want to scare all the trick-or-treaters too badly, particularly if your neighborhood happens to have a lot of very young children, but it's hard to come up with an impressive display without setting up a movie-quality set. By using a Light Display Projector, you can set up a great display (even better if you use a fog machine, as well) without having blood-soaked zombies lurking behind corners. The projector has several interchangeable designs, including deer, stars, balloons, skaters, witches, bats, and ghosts so it can be used again and again, and a rotating mirror ball keeps the images moving. Price: $89.95.
If you really like your furniture to multi-task, the Morpheo Sofa Bed is at least as useful as the Sleepy Working Bed from Alessi that we saw a few days ago. Although it doesn't have integrated dat/power points or variously attached desks, it still a hard-working piece. It looks vaguely futuristic, especially because of the attached lights, which seem to grow directly from the corners of the sofa. The plush seat folds out into a bed, too. The sofa measures 83"W x 40"D x 50"H and is available in three fabric colors: green, red and black.
These floating pool lanterns from Horchow will look equally good on a warm summer night and a cool winter one as they cast ethereal reflections across any water's surface. They have the shape of a "traditional" lamp and a refined look, but each one is a single piece, measuring 9" across rising 9.5" above the water, though the lamps are actually 21.5" long, overall. The lamps get their glow from a rechargeable light bulb, which will glow for up to 8 hours at a time, and can move about freely, unconstrained by wires or another power system. Chargers for the light bulbs are sold separately. Price: $399 each.
It seems like we might run out of wall space before we run out of great things to decorate them with.
We have already heard about color-changing wall paint, but what about a color changing wall? Mood Light Flat Tiles conceal LED lights that can create a dazzling multi-colored display - or a soothing one - in your home. The red, blue and green color settings can be adjusted to create any color you can think of, and the unit comes with a remote control that allows you to define your own light pulses and patterns in addition to the preprogrammed patterns. The tiles are just under 3" thick, so using them will not cut dramatically into the amount of useable space in the room, and they combine almost seamlessly to cover large and small areas. Each 19.7"x19.7"2.8" tile is $629.
Sun Bricks are solar powered outdoor light fixtures that can be built into a brick or stone walkway. Unlike traditional outdoor lights, sun bricks are designed to be flush with the ground, giving the effect of an illuminated pathway, rather than a path that is simply flanked by lights. The bricks also do not require the use of any cables or electricity, since all their power is generated by the sun. Their solar panels can hold enough energy to provide an 8-hour charge to the bricks' amber LED lights. While bricks do look their best in brick pathways where they can blend into the stone pattern, they can be set into the ground anywhere where they will be exposed to sunlight. Price: $60 each.
Sun Bricks
