9 New Lights That Caught Our Attention This Summer

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9 New Lights That Caught Our Attention This Summer

Once upon a time, lighting was about function and utilitarian necessity. Those days are done.

To be sure, lighting is still about need–illumination at night, during tasks and for mood. But architects and designers learned a long time ago that fixtures infuse some serious design muscle in a space as well.

“Let’s be honest: lighting has graduated from background player to full-blown star of the show in any well-designed space,” designer Kathleen Jennison, principal of KTJ Design Co. in Stockton, California, wrote in Lighting News Now. “We’re no longer just swapping bulbs — we’re sculpting moods, framing architecture, and flat-out bossing the vibe.”

The Interior Design Institute says lighting design has shifted toward sculptural, nature-inspired pieces with exaggerated, hand-worked textures. In addition, warm, earthy color palettes are in, while energy efficient lights that are modular, adaptable and smart are in vogue.

This month, we’ve seen lots of press notices of new fixtures hitting retail shelves and e-commerce lighting websites, and these are some of our favorites:

Artemide, Arrival Ceiling

The Arrival Ceiling light by design duo Ludovica + Roberto Palomba is a complete lamp family with dynamic, flowing shapes that sculpt light with delicate, graphic lines, the brand says. Branching out from a central base, each model has three arms that form a soft, organic geometric shape. Each element has a section that leaves the aluminum profile visible from the outside while generating a light-diffusing surface inside. They are ideal for individual use or as a series combining different versions to create a modern, sculptural work of art and light, the brand says. Made from aluminum and silicon, the product comes in two sizes–27 inches long and 12 inches wide or 51 inches long and 14.5 inches wide–and in black or brass.

Bover, Yuyun S

A feminine name of Asian origin, the Yuyun S collection was born from the need to create vertical lighting elements, helping illuminate spaces with strong aesthetic impact, such as double-height areas, stairwells or special corners. Its unique feature lies in the ability to create different compositions of lampshades within the same structure, adding a more personal character to the space, the company says. It includes two lampshade sizes that are handwoven with continuous cotton thread and finished in a beige tone, allowing for multiple design possibilities.

[ Read More: Lodes Debuts the New Non Random Pendant Lamp ]

Brokis, Arcade+

Designed by Boris Klimek, the Arcade+ lighting collection brings together two seemingly opposing worlds. On one hand, it draws inspiration from simple electrical cables with exposed light sources, whose natural sag creates a spontaneous line in space. On the other hand, it references the expressive aesthetic of classic chandeliers. Arcade+ merges these contrasting approaches within a single lighting concept. Graceful arcs of synthetic silk cord span the space like arcades, carrying cylindrical glass elements with softly diffused light. It works as individual lighting objects and as larger compositions with multiple glass elements, forming a contemporary interpretation of the chandelier, the company says. The adjustable unit is well suited to private interiors as well as hotel, restaurant and public spaces. Photos: Martin Chum

Cerno Group, Stillo 16 Pendant

The Stillo pendant refines and builds on a familiar design language from Cerno’s existing spun pendant collections — indirect light, leather suspension, spun metal and wood and metal details. It has a natural wood hub that was lathe-turned into a domed form, rounded accent pins and a triangular top piece with leather straps. The unit measures 15.5 inches by 18 inches, features an integrated LED and comes in two colors.

Flos, Bellhop Glass S1

The Bellhop Glass S1 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, is a suspension light that can be used as ambient or task lighting, which directly illuminates, with a non-blinding cone. The hole in the bottom part of the lamp is shaped to direct the light (and change the bulb) avoiding the diffusion up to the eyes of those sitting at the table. A cone of light is therefore created inside the suspended Bellhop Glass. It measures 13 inches wide and 7.3 inches tall with a 5.2-inch canopy. The unit comes with either black, white or bright aluminum metal finishing.

Gallotti&Radice, Capsa

Designed by Pietro Russo, the Capsa, designed by Pietro Russo, takes its name from the ancient Roman cylindrical box once used to store jewels, precious objects, papyri and books. Crafted in onyx with brass details, it combines the lightness of a warm, diffused glow with a sculptural and theatrical presence. It measures 8 inches by 4 inches, and is supplied with a 13-foot cable for height adjustment.

Louis Poulsen, FJ Element Pendant

This lamp was designed many years ago by Danish architect Finn Juhl but has been reintroduced as the FJ Element pendant, including the original two-toned grey variant.The lamp’s name comes from Finn Juhl’s hand sketches, in which he described it as being composed of “elements.” These early drawings document the lamp’s form, proportions and the concept for an entire lamp series, and also tell of its overall construction. It features an upper shade that can rotate around on the lower shade, allowing users to control the direction of the light in multiple ways, while also transforming the lamp’s appearance. It measures 250 millimeters wide and 221 millimeters tall.

Marset, Ringo Collection

The Ringo Collection by Joan Gaspar consists of a large pendant or ceiling lamp that accentuates material rather than form, the Spanish brand says. Essentially, it’s a basic geometric shape in volume but its material resembles a block of ice, at the same time both solid and weightless. Gaspar used transparent polycarbonate to create optical reflections, giving the impression of an organic design made out of glass. It comes in a ceiling version (with a fixed pole or built-in) and a pendant version, in two sizes, 27.6 inches and 35.4 inches, and in four finishes: green, rosé, smoke and dark smoke.

Niche Modern, The Brava Collection

The Brava Collection consists of the Brava Tall and its broader counterpart, the Brava Wide. These handmade glass pieces are suspended from low-voltage coaxial cables and illuminated by a hidden custom LED source within a premium glass holder. The pieces are perfect for grand installations, each standing alone or pair together to create a bespoke arrangement reminiscent of stars in the night sky, the company says. It comes in four colorways – crystal clear, fig, gray and an ombra gradient featuring milky-white opaline fading to crystal clear. The products are handmade in the company’s Beacon, N.Y., factory. Four metal finishes are available.