Lighting Ideas

All sorts of solar lights have been coming on the market in the last couple of years, and these dragonflies are no exception. More for fun than anything else, they could be a nice addition along your pathway, pool deck, patio, etc. If you entertain in the summers, and parties extend into the evening hours, your guests will enjoy their whimsical pressence lighting the way. The little shadows it casts are pretty cool too.

$20 gets you one easy-to-install lamp (it looks like you just stake it into the ground) from Amazon:

Solar Dragonfly Luminary

Not all ceiling fixtures need to be purely functional. If you have room for something whimsical and cheery, try these artistic hanging lamps from Dan Black and Martin Blum.

“This delightful dragonfly light likes to fly from the ceiling and in stairways. You can choose the angle of its flight by adjusting the body. As an up lighter, Libellule’s semi-translucent, polypropylene wings cast a shadow on the walls or ceiling.”

Available at Objects of Design.

If you’re looking for a bright and cheery lamp for your living room, the pink Avalon table lamp from Inside Avenue could be fun. It’s made of porcelain with a “bubblegum” finish and a black satin shade.

“Featured in several design magazines such as In Style Home, House Beautiful, Traditional Homes and others, the modern lamp collection from Shine Everyday is our runaway bestseller. Fresh, modern and fun, the lamps are colorful and beautifully designed.”

The price is $375. (Hey, you didn’t think a snazzy bubblegum finish would come cheap, did you?)

Inside Avenue

If you’re looking for an artsy and earth-friendly lamp, check out the lighting section of the Wooden Ya Reckon site. That’s where I found this funky lamp, which is one of several interesting pieces by the artist.

“Isolated in the remote wilderness of Tasmania, a ramshackle shed is home to the artist Noel Doepel. Unfettered by the constraints of conventional wisdom in his studio, Noel is free to create objects of beauty and function, hewn from recycled materials gathered in and around his exurban utopian retreat.”

This particular lamp is called the “Barbie Light.” At first I thought that was in relation to, well, you know, Barbie dolls, but upon closer look, I think those are little thorns (or barbs) wrapping around the lamp shade. This might be one of those look-but-don’t-touch kind of lights.

If you’re looking for green gift ideas for people who care about the environment, these oak leaf candle bases could make a nice present. Gently sculpted into the shape of leaves, the holders can hold votives nicely (do be careful when using “bases” instead of actual holders with lips–I’ve had drippy candles that ran over the sides and made a mess).

The handsome glass bases are available in 6 autumn hues: meadow, moss, fern, forest, cedar, and mineral. An 8 1/2″ leaf will run you $15.50.

From Bedrock Industries

Looking for a snazzy new lamp for your home office? The Haworth “Wing” contemporary desk lamp will provide the light you need, and it’ll wow visitors too.

“The wing brings efficiency and ergonomic benefits of asymmetrical lighting into the versatile environment. Asymmetrical lighting systems direct light sideways toward the work surface, reducing the shadows, glare and eye fatigue produced by typical desk lamps. The result is better clarity of media on the desktop as well as less eye fatigue on the user.”

All that and it looks pretty nifty too. Almost like something out of a science fiction movie. You can get the lamp online for $190 from Astute Advance:

http://www.astuteadvance.com/lighting-haworth-wing.html

I love solar-powered lighting, both because it’s environmentally friendly (no electricity required here!) and easy to install–wiring, what wiring? But I must admit I usually see outdoor lighting that is solar powered. This little Sun Jar can sit on a window ledge in your home though.

“Have it sit in the sun during the day and see it radiate at night. All made possible by modern technology – some LED’s, a solar panel and some ingenious thinking….This is a wonderful effect and the sandblasted glass makes it seem as if it truly emits warm sun light. It is a great little idea for an outdoor summer dinner, where you have the jars scattered around the table, or an evening at the beach where they will provide just the right amount of light, or as garden illumination, just position them at strategic points in your garden or rooftop terrace or balcony – they work equally well in either location.”

You can buy the Sun Jar from Charles & Marie for $44.

If you like jewels, then this mini pendant lamp might interest you. Its jeweled exterior is certainly eye catching.

The Geometrix pendant is part of Schonbek’s Matrix series, which is made not only to look attractive but to provide functional down-lighting:

“The Matrix series is comprised of squares, rectangles and cylinders and they’re used together in an effect that creates blocks of crystal that are startling to behold. On the one hand, they’d be comfortable in a museum of modern art and yet these are poweful downlights. So while your guest may be admiring the striking look of your kitchen, Geometrix at the same time provides enough plenty of task lighting.”

Geometrix

Outdoor lighting is important if you plan on doing any evening entertaining (or just don’t want to trip over something suspicious on your lawn when you’re taking the dog out to potty at night…). Most of the lanterns I’ve run across are meant to be mounted to the wall or on a post permanently inserted into the ground. These Northstar lanterns from Outdoor Digs are nice because the stands can be moved from spot to spot, just as with indoor floor lamps.

You can get the stands in different heights and styles, to create tiered effects. Or you can just purchase the one lantern and stand that works best for your patio, deck, etc.

Prices start at $167.

Outdoor Digs

If you’re tired of stumbling over the dog, or some toy left out by the children, on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night, a night lite for the hallway or bathroom can be a smart purchase. Don’t get one of those tacky ones though (the kind you feel compelled to hide when guests come over); get something attractive such as this lamp from Uncommon Goods.

The night lite is made using an actual sugar maple leaf that has been preserved in 24 karat antique gold, “so it retains its delicate outline and tiny pores and veins just like in nature.” A lot prettier than the toadstool night lite I had as a kid. As the site says, “During the day, this night light will be a stunning gold and ethereal accent to your home. When turned on at night, the soft golden light will serve as a guide in the darkness without sacrificing aesthetics.”

The price is $45:

Sugar Maple Leaf Night Light