Here at Designer Lighting Company we are inspired by all thing’s designer. So, we thought we’d share with you our timeline of influencers. We have carefully selected lights for you that pay homage to our top 5 visionary artists and designers.
1.William Morris 1834-1896
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”
We love this philosophy and think it summarises why we love lighting. Not only does lighting illuminate a space it makes an artistic statement too.
Morris was a visionary. Pioneer of the arts and crafts movement, painter, student of classic literature, poet, fantasy writer and architect.
As a romantic he was inspired by the beauty of nature, notorious for his iconic textile print designs in swirls, leaves, vines, birds, fruit trees and curved natural patterns. Looking to the natural world for design inspiration he produced hundreds of iconic prints and used mostly natural dyes and materials.
Strawberry Thief, William & Co (flickr)
Pink and Rose by William Morris (wiki)
Botanical Elegance
Here at Designer lighting Company we have beautiful nature print lamp shades which offer botanical designs with contemporary class. We are totally in love with them! The Botanical shade, pictured below has delicate budding pink flowers with greens and yellow ochre foliage adorn the clear white shade made with 100 % cotton.
We love the small details, like the tiny yellow butterfly visiting a pink petal. The Ebb and Flow Designer shades share an interaction of British and Nordic design influences.
It works beautifully with our teardrop shape mouth-blown Lute table lamp base by Ebb and Flow. Shown here is a gently tinted obsidian coloured glass with gold accents. Made only with the highest quality natural materials.
Cool colours of snowy white with fine silver branch details will add a serenity to interiors. Our branch shade designed by Ebb and Flow.
Pictured above is Ebb and Flow’s teal coloured shade with overlapping leaves in a wild fern leaf pattern. A lovely way to introduce nature-inspired prints in your home with contemporary simplicity. Add vitality to your setting and choose designs which flow from the patterns of outside spaces.
Pictured above is our suggestion for coordinating Lute glass pendants. Embrace the natural beauty and shine of glass which gleams and reflects sunlight, making it a great lighting choice. Introduce a gentle sparkle and tinted colour accents. Translucent elegance.
2.Pablo Picasso – Cubist Art & Design 1881-1973
Three Musicians Pablo Piccasso Museum
Geometric Lighting
The highly influential Pablo Picasso inspired the cubist art movement. We can see a cubist style in the Cube ceiling pendant by Globen.
A central cube shape and ascending rectangles made of black frames interlock with geometric precision. An architecturally immersive and dynamic design which changes with each viewer perspective.
It has a three-dimensional form, inclusive of negative space, a pillar of cubism. We have a flush ceiling light or pendant in this style too, available in polished brass, chrome or matt black finish.
What about a coordinating table lamp? Here the cube table lamp is a cool and contemporary design. A cube shape with strong black frame is juxtaposed with a white smooth sphere which emits a soft and gentle light glow.
3. Arne Jacobsen – 1902-1971
Drop, Egg and Swan Chairs (wiki source)
Paint it White
Arne Jacobson was born in stylish Copenhagen, Denmark and his mark on interior design is phenomenal. Inspired by functional design, much like the Bauhaus movement.
Jacobsen leaves a strong mark in furniture and interior design. We’ve all seen the iconic egg and swan style chairs. You may remember the film men in black? The egg chair features in this, do you remember the scene?
A design focused on stripping away complexity to reveal a more simplistic form. As a child Jacobsen loved to paint, though his father persuaded him to study the “more serious” architecture. It is said as a child he painted his walls totally white in a rebellion to what he considered his parents overly adorned taste. This reminds us of classic Scandinavian design.
How do you like this? ray is quite the shape shifter and is able to be both table lamp or ceiling pendant. Brushed brass lines form a cage around the exposed bulb and result in an elegant wave form shape. A versatile and attractive design.
With similar design ethos Domus’ Pila rise and fall pendant light has a Scandinavian appeal. Clean, simple lines and pure white opal glass shade with natural wood accents. Aiming to achieve a calm contemporary interior scheme? You can with a balance and form and function. A wooden sphere allows you to adjust the height and therefore light requirements. The black cable provides a striking monochromatic contrast.
The black Artist 40 pendant features a wide shallow shade, offering an effective spread of light. Embracing LED technology, it is a stunning interaction of function and aesthetic, which reminds us of the interior quality of Jacobsen’s designs. A simplicity and minimalism in design with understated finesse.
Organic Shapes
A Scandinavian flavour is offered by Globen’s Missy Pendant. Made with natural rattan this spacious design allows a lovely balance of light and shade. If you are going for an airy, fresh and organic style interior, this one is for you.
4. Frida Kahlo 1907-1954
The story of Frida Kahlo’s journey is incredible, contracting polio at a young age veered her towards expressing herself and her identity through painting. Mexican folk culture and self identity themes mix with surrealism. Her work has a distinctive vernacular and is instantly recognisable and remarkably emotive.
Designer Lighting Company’s ode to Kahlo’s self-portrait, me and my parrots, 1941. The Parrot table lamp and wall light are eccentric and almost surreal, bringing sculptural intrigue and inquisitive character to your interior. Hand carved by David Hunt Lighting in the Cotswold countryside. Intricate feather details exuding a warm light quality in a rich bronze patina. Shown here with a tropical parrot print shade.
Picture above the Velvet forest green ceiling pendant and table lamp. A rich and fern like green is enhanced by the indulgent lustre of velvet. Perfectly paired with a table lamp with beautiful brushed brass accent.
Frida Kahlo drew her inspiration from Mexican folklore exploring identity. Designers behind David Hunt Lighting also capture a unique identity in their lighting designs, drawing inspiration from highland countryside. Evoking the freedom of highland lifestyles. The bleached Antler 3 light pendant will bring outside inspiration in.
5.Charles and Ray Eames 1907–1978, 1912–1988
A Dream Team
What about the legacy of the Eames team?
Such an influential design couple. Leaving a legacy of modern architecture from their design office. Together,they created their curated their original home. A home which worked for them where design meets curiosity.
Here is their curved design chair they called LCW, the lounge chair wood (pictured below).
Our Stood Table lamp by Faro with smooth curved cherry wood shade is emulative of Eames’ iconic lounge chair wood (LCW). Emanating a warm glow which highlights the distinctive grain on each unique piece of cherry wood. A circular black base flows to the stem and around the shade.
A real feat in design and craftsmanship as the thinness of the wooden shape retains the beauty of wood yet is lightweight suitable for many areas in the home.
Design as Thought
At Designer Lighting Company we are inspired by looking at design as a way of thinking, we hope you are too? Everyone can be a designer, including you!
Well, what do you really want in your home? What lights will illuminate and enhance your unique lifestyle?
Feel free to experiment.
Truth is we think clever and beautiful design can make you happier.