Our style of living has changed. In the past, ceiling lights often only served the simple purpose of lighting up a room. Today, lamps are one of the key stylistic elements of interior design, merging the functional with the decorative and creating a unique atmosphere. im Interior Design, die Funktion und Design miteinander verbinden und gleichzeitig Atmosphäre schaffen.

For lamps to go down as classics of design history, they have to meet certain requirements: Innovative solutions, high functionality, a timeless design – and of course winning prestigious awards helps a lot. The models presented below certainly belong in the short list of future classics:

The 'Oda' standing lamp

The Oda range was designed for Pulpo by Sebastian Herkner. Source: Pulpo

Each of these glowing forms is one of a kind When you see a light-filled balloon, the first thing many will think of is paper lanterns. However, in this case, Sebastian Herkner's inspiration for this design came from photos of water towers, whose corpulent domes are supported with apparent ease by slim pillars

The large glass forms of his Oda lamps sit at various heights on an equally graceful framework. The result is a luminous sculpture bathing the room in beautiful light. Available in amber, smoky grey, or opal white, these unique, handblown creations seem to float like a balloon on their delicate, powder-coated steel support.

Mobile Chandelier

Minimalistic eye-catcher: the Mobile Chandelier; source: Michael Anastassiades

Mobile Chandelier: Minimal design – maximum effect
The secret of many design trends is in their simplicity. Designer Michael Anastassiades, whose Mobile Chandeliers drew admiring glances at the 2015 Euroluce lighting trade fair in Milan, understands this perfectly. He was inspired to create the first models eight years ago.

Taking a consistently minimalistic approach, his new designs juxtapose spherical, handblown, opaline luminaries with pendant rods of black, patinated brass. It is precisely this absence of additional decorative elements that lends these lamps their timeless elegance.

'Equilumen' lamp

Balanced design: the 'equilumen' lamp; source: mischer’traxler

'Equilumen' lamp: Turning design into a balancing act
A design duo from Vienna, mischer’traxler, have created an incredibly simple but effective light structure that offers extra meaning to the phrase 'give and take'. Their 'equilumen' lamp has two oversized glass spheres balanced at either end of a long rod. They negotiate the distribution of light between them. Each of the glass lamps is encased in a metal loop, which functions as a handle for positioning. If the rod tips down in one direction, the light on that end sinks lower and becomes brighter, while the higher lamp becomes dimmer.

The lighting is only 'equitable', i.e. equally balanced, when both lamps are in equilibrium – a sensitive, volatile balancing act. The installation was initially designed for an exhibition on the topic of freedom during the Designblok 2015 show in Prague.

Whether through illuminating symbolic power, original functionality, or striking design aesthetic, sometimes a lamp is more than a simple light source, and instead becomes the focus of attention in a room owing to its radiant presence.

Secant Light

The Secant plays with focus and accents. Source: Daniel Rybakken

The Secant Project: Highlights through contrasts

With his Secant lamp, Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken delivers a fresh trend. The fragility and purity of a hand-cut crystal disc stand in stark contrast to the raw industrialism of the aluminium parts. As the glass is lit only indirectly by the LED source, the light diffuses throughout the room with a wonderfully soft glo

The range includes the Secant light: a wall, floor, and table light, whose crystal disc is supported by a metal skeleton. In case of the Mobile Secant installation, individual counterweights provide an additional visual and symbolic contrast. The installation features two crystal discs that are suspended on a spliced rope and can be raised or lowered by hand.

Ascent-Lampe

Source: Luceplan/Vimeo

The Ascent lamp rises and sets ... just like the sun
Scandinavians are famously familiar with long, dark winters. Maybe this is why light design means more to Daniel Rybakken than simply creating beautiful lampshades. He understands how to light up spaces using a kind of poetic design that is utterly unique.

The same way the sun's position affects night and day, the height of the Ascent lamp determines whether it will be light or dark. A bell-shaped lampshade can be moved up and down a thin metal stand to intensify or dim the light. The lower the lamp gets, the dimmer the light becomes. This simple design allows Rybakken to playfully combine functionality with symbolism.

Which of the five lamps is your favourite? Do you have a different design highlight in your living room? We look forward to your inspiring comments!

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