Philippe Starck to collaborate with Apple

photo credit: Jean Baptiste Mondino

Philippe Starck, world famous designer who is responsible for many Iconic Lamp designs produced by Flos claims to be working with Apple on a new “revolutionary” product. Mr Starck made the announcement during an interview with France Info, keeping many details of the project to himself.

AppleInsider provided a translation from the interview, “Indeed there is a big project together, which will be out in eight months” Mr Starck revealed. Mr Starck declined to comment further because of Apple’s policy of secrecy regarding projects. He did reveal that the project is “quite revolutionary.”

During the interview, Starck spoke about his close friendship with late Apple CEO Steve Jobs and has visited him and his wife regularly for the past seven years.

Could this have anything to do with Apple’s rumored Apple TV set?

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Design Icon, Ingo Maurer

As much as we like to celebrate some of our favorite product designs, we also enjoy celebrating some of our favorite product designers.  Ingo Maurer is an Icon from Germany who had his first hit with a very ironic design. Wouldn’t you know, it was shaped like a bulb!

Ingo Maurer was born on a little island.  Not a tropical far away island as you might imagine, but still an island, the Island of Reichenau, Lake Constance, Germany.  He was the son of a fisherman and grew up with four siblings. He started as a typographer’s apprentice and received his degree in graphic design from a school in Munich in 1958.

He immigrated to the USA and worked as a freelance designer in New York and San Francisco but decided to return to Europe in 1963 and settled in Munich. His first design was the Bulb, a table lamp(1966) and received tremendous success and accolades.  It is permanently residing it the Museum of Modern Art.

In 1984 he designed YaYaHo and it was very successful because it was highly adjustable, had very low voltage and used a halogen lamp.  Ingo Maurer is also known to incorporate LED’s into his work. His first being Bellissima Brutta (1996).

Some of his collections residing in the Museum of Modern Art include: Bulb, Gulp(1969), Little Black Nothing and YaYaHo (1988), Los Minimalos Dos, Lucelino Wall, Wo bist Du, Zettel’z

(1999), Porca Miseria! (2003).

One of my personal favorites is the Lucellino (1992) and Porca Miseria (1994).

Ingo Maurer is the recipient of numerous worldwide awards including the Compasso d’Orro

 

 

Miss K, a table lamp by Philippe Starck

Miss K table lamp

The table lamp has been around for years.  Many designers have tried their hand at designing the perfect table lamp, but that is not what this article is about today.  Today I am going to discuss a little known favorite by Phillippe Starck, his Miss K Table Lamp.

Some of you reading this are probably already familiar with Philippe Starck and his work, but for those of you that aren’t, I will start off by simply saying he is an ICON of design.  Mr Starck’s work stretches from Architecture to furniture to lighting and even vehicles! Eventually I would like to cover all of his work, but it starts with one.  So today we will discuss the Miss K, a table lamp by Philippe Starck produced by FLOS.

Made in Italy by Flos and Designed by Philippe Starck,  The Miss K table lamp is modern in appearance with a very clean and welcoming design. In my opinion, making the lamp out of polycarbonate materials was the best choice, because the lamp is very light-weight and the transparency creates a nice effect, especially when the light is switched on and you can see a magnificent sillhouette inside the diffuser. This lamp is available in red, yellow, blue, black or transparent.  This lamp takes a t10 100W halogen bulb and is CUL listed.

We proudly carry this little masterpiece in our store.

Update: Get a free Miss K table lamp when you order from us!

Here you can find the regular version

Here you can find the Soft Miss K version

Here you can find other products by Philippe Starck

 

The Incandescent bulb – A lighting Icon

Ingo Maurer Bulb table lamp

Evolution of an Icon

As we have progressed into the future, mankind has made many advances in just about every field imaginable. Computers have allowed us to design complex, efficient structures, our cars are better than ever and we have alternatives for more efficient greener lighting. One thing is for certain, as inefficient as the incandescent bulb is, it has long been an international icon for lighting.

The Shape of Light

The Incandescent bulb has been around for over 100 years.  Known by many names, the A19 or Medium Base bulb has been time tested as the most used bulb in our everyday life.  It has been the soul of lighting and this is what our article is about today.  The incandescent bulb as a design icon.

Light in the form of a lightbulb is actually nothing new, but if we move through the current debate of energy efficiency and the abolition of the bulb, we will find that designers strive to use new materials and processes, and still have a love affair with the pear shape of the incandescent bulb.

Birdie's Busch, Ingo Maurer

Bulb Shaped Lighting

In the past, designers frequently found themselves designing elaborate diffusers that were meant to hide the bulb because it was thought of as unsightly.  But here we will outline a few examples of designs that have been inspired by our old favorite pear shaped bulb.

With the advent of smaller halogen lamps such as the G9 and affordable, tiny LED’s designers are now able to produce lamps that are smaller in design.  This has allowed designers to play with using the concept of using the shape of an incandescent bulb as a diffuser!

Many of today’s lamps still use the incandescent bulb, but now we have LED and Fluorescent alternatives that are not only energy efficient, but can hide inside incandescent shaped diffusers.

To me, Ingo Maurer first came to mind, his first and one of his most recognized designs is his Bulb table lamp.

Johnny B Good pendant light

Johnny B Good pendant light

 

Lighting Techniques – Light for reading

Finding the proper reading light

The I Cono 0725 table lamp by Vibia is an excellent choice for bedside reading

Ideally, halogen light is best for reading, starting from about 20 Watts. Personally I think wall sconces if set up right (about 70 cm higher than the mattress) are better than table lamps because you don’t have to worry about knocking them over! Another advantage of wall lights over table lamps is that usually you can adjust the direction of the light.  It is important to not read in a dark room as well because you don’t want to strain your eyes.

In order to achieve the perfect balance of light for reading we must strive to achieve a combination of indirect lighting of the room and direct focused light from the reading lamp.  This is why the better reading lights are dimmable so you can adjust the brightness to you EXACT needs.  Your partner will appreciate this also!

Looking for ideas? Try out our bedroom lighting tool here.

Lighting Design – Fundamentals to proper bedroom lighting

Why is bedroom lighting important?

Proper bedroom lighting

We should never underestimate the importance of space in our bedroom, even at night, while we are fast alseep.  When decorating our bedrooms, we mainly tend to focus on furniture, textiles and decor but there is another equally important facet to interior design that must never be overlooked and that my friends is LIGHT.

In order to properly light our bedroom we must consider two illumination techniques, One for the brighter ambient lighting of the room and second more intimate toned down dimmed lighting for relaxation. After that has been figured out, it is important to find all the spots that need their own more specific lighting such as closets or stairs, but usually good ambient light will take care of this.

The final touch, would be to add the appropriate reading light that can be easily adjusted from the bed.  Although many bedrooms tend use a “One-for-all” central light source in the middle of the ceiling, it is much better for your eyes if you have a proper table lamp or wall light fitted right next to the bed.

In any case, you should aim for a dimmable ambient lighting.  Even in the bedroom, it is important to emphasize the the qualities of the room.  Small rooms can appear larger when the light is dimmed, creating a nice ambience, and yellow light helps too.  With the right ceiling lamp, you can make your walls seem taller.  You can also use spotlights to accent any furniture or stucco details.

How to setup orientation lighting in the bedroom

General ambient lighting should be enough for dressers in most cases.  You can install flat ceiling luminaries (recessed lights) in closets or corners where there is not enough ambient light. For this, a distance of about 50 to 80 cm is ideal.  It can be beneficial to light up the ground level to help you at night especially around stairs so you can have a safe trip to the bathroom without waking your partner. Even your little ones will enjoy tracking back when they find their way to you in the middle of the night.  Let’s not forget to match the mirror lighting with two well placed rod shaped lamps on either side of the mirror for better lighting for the face. Let’s not forget an options where  you have your own light, so you don’t have to wake up your partner especially in those dark early mornings.  If it’s possible to have a setup where you can control all the lights from your bed, you are in heaven.

A new, energy efficient options would be to install LED spotlights with movement sensors.  These can be attached under the bed, on the wall or on the dresser.

Looking for ideas? Check out our selection of spotlights here.

 

Terzani Lighting Can Set The Right Mood For Your Home

Getting the lighting right is crucial to setting the right mood in your home. Italian light fixtures like Terzani lighting can help make your home look good. Italian crystal chandeliers can give your home an instant atmosphere of elegance and grace. They have great value and this form of Terzani lighting can create, better than any other piece, the perfect mood and feel of any room.

Chandeliers are gaining in popularity and are very much in demand. This word-class decorating light fixture has now become affordable but will make your house look elegant. It is a great addition to your home in terms of décor and lighting. This fixture will give your home an instant glow and will add to the look and feel of your place. The right accessory can help turn your home into a much-talked about place. You can be the envy of all your friends with Terzani lighting.

The right lighting can really help in designing a room. Whether you want it to be brisk, relaxed, romantic or sophisticated, Terzani lighting can help you with this. It is stylish and will polish your look with tits effect on the room it is installed in. It is the ultimate fixture that everyone should have in their homes, and will create the most perfect mood that you want to create for the room it is installed in.

You can add character to your home and greatly enhance its beauty. Whether you plan to install it in the living room, the hall, the bedroom or even the bathroom, you will not have to worry about it looking out of place. With intricate yet delicate work and designed with colored or clear beads and crystals, a chandelier will add the right amount of romance for almost any bedroom. Whether you want to decorate your home with antiques, or want to go for a more contemporary look, you can find light fixtures that can complement the chose style perfectly so you do not have to worry about it looking out of place. You can even buy chandeliers that simply add to the overall appearance of the room, instead of becoming the focus of the room. Terzani lighting also comes in different styles and shapes. No matter which part of your home you wish to use these light fixtures in, you can always find something to suit the look and the budget.

You can order your light fixtures today from Interior Deluxe. Visit them at http://www.interior-deluxe.com

How To Design Your Studio With Italian Lighting

Italian light designs can give a more aesthetic appeal to your studio. Studio apartments do not allow for much creativity while designing. Having the right light fixtures can make a lot of difference to the way your studio looks. Italian design lighting are a good buy that you should consider while designing your studio.

There are several designs and models to choose from, depending on the needs and the budget. While choosing Italian lighting designs for your studio, you should consider buying a classy design that will not go out of fashion within a few months. Invest in fixtures that will be fashionable for atleast a few years. This way, you can get the most out of them. Get efficient light bulbs for your fixtures which are environmental- friendly and can help you save money. These bulbs are durable for longer periods of time so you need not have to purchase a new one for the next 6 months. They also provide better light to your home.

You can also get a dimmer for your light fixtures. This will help create a romantic mood whenever you switch it on. Another benefit of installing this is a reduction in electricity consumption. It is very easy to install and you can do it yourself, without any help from a mechanic. All you have to do is simply connect all the wires correctly. You can get the correct instructions from the installation manual. However, remember to switch off the electrical circuit before you install the switch to avoid getting a shock.

These Italian interior lighting decorations are designed to make your studio look different. Do not go overboard with these fixtures as minimal is in fashion. Having minimal light fixtures will make your house look more like a home and less of a museum of light fixtures.

There are four simple forms of lighting you should invest in while buying light fixtures for your studio. They are chandeliers, wall scones, table lamps and pendants. Chandeliers can help add character to any room. Nowadays, chandeliers can be placed in any room of your home. Table lamps are useful to highlight any specific part of your home. They have the added advantage of being mobile, so they can be shifted around the home easily, without any added wiring problem. Walls cones are use to give a warm glow to any room. They are used mainly to light hallways and other narrow spaces.

Design your studio with Italian lighting fixtures from Interior Deluxe. You can order your fixtures online at http://www.interior-deluxe.com

Why Oty Lighting Devices Are Used By So Many People

Tired of the appearance of your home or office? Want to transform it to make it look more interesting and appealing? You may be wondering that wishing to improve the appearance of a building is easy, but getting it done is difficult and expensive. Actually this is not quite true if you know how to go about getting the high class look.

Before you start planning how to transform the appearance of a building, you must know that there are essentially two types of illumination fixtures. One type may be referred to as ambient lighting fixtures while another type may be referred to as task lighting fixtures.

The first type provides the kind of illumination that enables people to see what is there in a room. In some cases the devices merely exude a glow that ensures that the light in the room is soothing to the eye. Usually ceiling lights provide this. The type of Oty lighting fixtures that provide this ambient light is fairly large. If you wish to install a fixture that looks great, provides the kind of illumination that you want, and also does not cost too much, Oty lighting fixtures will be the best choice for you.

Chandeliers are a great way of making a room or hall look gorgeous and yet well-illuminated. Many people feel that these are so expensive that only the richest people can afford these. If you know where to buy the good stuff, you will be able to get it at affordable prices. You don’t need to tell everybody who thinks that you are very rich that the chandelier that you have installed is indeed quite cheap because you bought it from a website where affordable Oty lighting fixtures are available.

On the other hand, if you need illumination for specific tasks like cooking or reading, you will have to arrange for appropriate fixtures. There is no reason to believe that fittings that are meant for a particular task are not good to look at. The varieties available in most stores may not be very good looking, but the designer ones are quite interesting and will add to the aesthetic appeal of a room.

If you use the right set of fixtures, you will be able to impress your friends and other who come to the buildings that you live or work in. So when are you changing the illumination fittings of your office or home to create the perfect look?

Estiluz Lighting Gives Your Home A Rustic Look!

Italian lighting is characterized by distinctive lighting fixtures. You can create an uniquely Italian look for your home with Estiluz lighting fixtures. This kind of lighting goes well with a countryside theme. So if your room or home is characterized by bold designs, then Estiluz lighting is the perfect addition to your theme.

You need to decorate your home with bold designs, and pay close attention to detail as this is very important with Estiluz lighting. Italian decoration helps to express the uniqueness and individuality of the owner of the home. You can either decorate your entire home with the theme or only in select rooms. Accessorizing your home with the appropriate Estiluz light fixtures will make a lot of difference to your home. You can bring in some flavor to your home by using simple bold colors. You can achieve this look by contrasting textures with earthly colors. You can choose from rich, earthly colors like golden olive oil, terracotta, luscious olive green, deep browns, rich burgundy, Mediterranean blues, burnt orange and golden yellow. These colors will give your countryside inspired home a timeless and attractive look. Choose your room colors on the basis of the accessories that go with it. You can highlight these accessories with Estiluz lighting.

Texture is an important part of Italian décor. You can add texture to your home’s walls by combining regular paint with textures additives. Some ideas that you can incorporate are Venetian hand plastering, suede or granite texture paints and sponge style painting techniques. All these textures will make your home look good and will give a countryside touch to your home. For flooring, you can go in for stone tiles or hardwood floors. Solid furniture made from hardwood goes well with textile or leather coverings. This will give a rustic, old world look and feel to your home. Traditional yet stylish and comfortable furniture will complete the look. Try to make our home look unique; it should reflect your personality.

To give your home a completely Italian look, you can go in for locally made Italian accessories. Ceramic items, pottery, wrought iron furniture, floors of marble and hardwood, and tapestry textiles are the most popular items that you can accessorize your home with. Remember to highlight the artistic works with proper lighting.

You can create this perfectly-themed home by purchasing Estiluz lighting from Interior Deluxe. Visit them today at http://www.interior-deluxe.com