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You might be yawning right now, seeing another Edison Bulb on your screen, but this one is super-sized. It’s 12.5″ in diameter. Go ahead, pick up a ruler or measuring tape to remind yourself just how large a bulb would be in that dimension. Perhaps hang one above a smaller dining table, or go for a group of three or five to make a huge statement.
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The Winkel 127 Table Lamp boasts quite a few features for a smaller task lamp. First off, it’s made of solid fiberglass reinforced biopolyamide, which is made from “over 60 per cent renewable material derived from castor oil.” That makes it recyclable at the end of its lifespan. However, with a very energy-efficient multi-chip LED light system, that won’t be anytime soon.

Optimal light distribution, micro gas springs (that means “good movement patterns”), glare protection, a dimmer… what more would you want in a desk lamp? Oh, it also has a built-in timer that automatically turns off the lamp after five hours, so it has a not-so-subtle way of telling you it’s time for bed. Yes, please.
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The Cobra Wall Sconce might just be the coolest under-the-radar sconce ever. Why? Well, look at the subtle curve of the shade, for starters, and its classic oval shape. Did you know the Swedish architect and designer Greta Grossman designed it way back in 1950? It still looks thoroughly modern, in the quiet way of most mid-century Swedish modernism. The shade may be tilted 90 degrees and rotated a full 360 degrees, allowing you to concentrate light right where you wish.
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Four lamps in one, really? Yes, it’s true, the Bollard Lamp can be placed in four different ways around your home. Designer Shane Schneck planned the silicone Bollard Lamp to be used in various ways: it can drop down as a simple hanging pendant, you can angle it (hanging) as a spotlight, place it on a table or shelf on its side, or prop it up on its foot to beam light straight up. With all those options, it’ll be easy to find it a spot in your home.
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This is another wonderful sort of object we featured years ago (2008) and now deserves an update. Lonneke Gordijn of Studio Drift first started gluing dandelion seeds to LEDs a decade ago, and I think it’s now safe to say that the Dandelight is now somewhat of a design classic, made all the more certain by the MoMA Store offering it up for sale. Plus, right now, MoMA is offering free shipping and guaranteed holiday delivery(!).
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Fun! The Lumio is now available in a mini version, thus creating an excellent gift idea for absolutely everyone on your list. Don’t believe me? Well, the Lumio is a small, portable, rechargeable light that folds up into the size of a book. In the Mini’s case, it’s a compact pocket size (think wallet dimensions), which makes it perfect for transport/travel. Oh, and it also can charge your smart phone. Bam! As I said, an excellent gift.
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This is just a reminder, if you’ve forgotten, that Isamu Noguchi’s table light sculptures are very affordable. Case in point, the Table Lamp Model 1AG you see above, comes in at $145. My other favorite, the Floor Lamp Model UF3-Q, isn’t so incredibly affordable ($525), but it’s still worth considering as a collector’s item that provides a wonderful, diffused light.
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You probably can’t tell from the photo above, but this Yupik Light is made from polypropylene foam. That makes it very sturdy and extremely light. And did you notice the clear polycarbonate diffuser? It looks a little like a car headlight, doesn’t it? Set it on its side on a table, place it on the ground facing upwards, or hang it from the ceiling using the included hook. It’s an affordable light with many possible uses all over your home.
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I doubt you’ll find a more exposed or minimal wall light than this Bare Ring Sconce from Brendan Ravenhill and Eric Trine. It suspends the bulb in a simple brass ring, with a glass socket to reveal the light’s electrical components. Honesty definitely is the best policy when it comes to this fixture. Available in a hard-wire version with powder coated steel wall plate or a a plug-in version with switch.
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Who doesn’t want a 5-foot strand of ultra-bright, waterproof, and USB-powered LEDs? You could hang one or two strands up in the trees for late night dining, take one with you camping (use the bag as a lantern), or tie or hook one around whatever is handy whenever you need light. Watch the Kickstarter video below for more ideas, and see if you aren’t tempted to get one for your future outside-exploring self.
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Looking a little like an ancient artifact, the Hamill Lamp consists of a hammered brass shade, a blackened steel base, and the necessary socket, bulb, and cloth cord. There’s nothing complicated about it, yet the materials will add an extra layer of warmth- and maybe a dash of historical relevance- to an interior. There’s a sconce as well.

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This flashlight utilizes micro-spherical solar cells to harness the sun’s power. Micro-what? Mirco-spherical solar cells. They’re tiny orbs that capture sunlight from all directions, which means a lot of light is absorbed. The Sphelar® Solar Flashlight will provide you with up to four hours of LED light, all powered by the sun. A wooden base is included for stability while charging. Now on sale from $150 to $99.95.
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Brilliant! You can customize the color and shape of these pendants. And if you don’t think you’d be interested, just give it a go and see if you don’t find a perfect color pairing that would fit somewhere in your home. There’s 8 different shapes, each with their own color besides the basic black and white. It gets pricier as you add to the grouping, but you can always just choose one pendant (or two) and stop there (good luck).
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Say hello to the Butler, a curved brass lamp with a hand turned oak tray. Clamp it on to a tabletop or shelf for an ideal spot to keep necessities- perhaps your keys, wallet or phone? It always helps to have just one area for important things; set it down in the same place every time and it’ll be there when you go to get it (if you don’t live with anyone else).
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This lamp is crazy pretty. Turn it on, and you see a spectrum of neon hues refracted by several prisms. Turn it off, and you have a sculptural piece that quietly shimmers as light moves around it. Made from optical grade dichroic glass and a 3W LED bulb (bonus: energy savings).
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