The Best Outdoor String Lights

Are you hosting a Fourth of July party this weekend? There’s still time to buy some outdoor string lights at your nearest outdoor store. If you’re like me, and are a little behind schedule, plan a party for later in the summer and order your string lights now! The big question is, where do we Read More…

Imaginative Outdoor Lighting

It’s warming up here in Detroit, also known as, Frozen Tundra Land (among other things lately). The sunny days have me thinking about outdoor spaces. Our garden is blooming, thanks to the green thumb of Misterarthur. I tend to kill just about anything in a pot. That’s why I stick to designing the placement of pots, outdoor tables and (finally getting to the point) lighting. Read More…

From The Salone: Kartell’s Bloom Pendant Light

I’m really wishing I could have gone to this year’s Salone Del Mobile, in Milan. The parties great new designs are so much fun. I have been following events from afar and will be highlighting a few of my favorites. Let’s kick things off with Kartell’s Bloom pendant light designed by Ferruccio Laviani. Yummy. Read More…

Hand-Decorated Lampshades

Bored? Here’s a quick and easy project you can do while sitting in your cubicle, like artist Angela Duncan. All you need is a lampshade and a pen. Choose a sharpie, or roller-ball for the best results. Use color, too! Any kind of marker will do. I like the eastern influence in this design. This is actually (and obviously) an excellent idea for anyone with a steady hand and a boring
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Comic Lamp by Tom Strala

Sometimes contemporary design makes me scratch my head. Something that looks nice in a photo or a museum doesn’t always work so well in a living space.

Tom Strala’s new Comic Light is just such an object. As he explains, “The shape formed by Comic’s mains lead follows exactly the same dynamic line used to show how comic-book characters skip and jump. Although Comic will surely draw some smiles with its cheeky appearance, the lamp still looks decidedly elegant and capable of holding its own in a sophisticated setting.”

Call me a know-nothing mid-western designer, but a bare light bulb does nothing for a room except add a lot of glare. I don’t care how sophisticated the setting may be.

What sort of setting would you place this in?