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Well Hung
Chosen by Eleanor Parsons, Digital Director
I recently read ‘Louis Poulsen: First House of Light’, written by my friend TF Chan, and published by Phaidon to celebrate 150 years of the great Dane. Suitably, it has put me on a Poulsen kick. I was pleased to discover the highly recognisable but tricky-to-find ‘Flowerpot’ pendant lamp available on 1stdibs – a bright spot among an already gleaming array of archival pieces. Created by furniture designer, architect and fellow Dane Verner Panton for Louis Poulsen, it is a classic for a reason, and another fitting way to ring in 150 years of Danish design.
Wick Bait
Chosen by Ariadne Fletcher, Editorial Associate
The topic of ‘the big light’ has long been debated, and I for one am firmly of the ‘anything but’ brigade. There’s a lot to be said for a well-positioned table lamp, but in these winter months I tend to be drawn, like a moth, to flame. There is nothing quite like cosying up with a nice cup of tea and the gentle warmth of a flickering candle. The Malin + Goetz aptly named ‘Supercandle’ is my indulgence of choice; with a fresh bergamot scent, it’s the perfect light to replace the dreaded overhead glare.
Caps it All
Chosen by Holly Black, Contributing Arts Editor
As someone with an eternal fear of the Big Light I am constantly looking for new ways to illuminate my home, in a manner that dispels the wintry gloom while remaining atmospheric and cosy. I am no forager, but these fungi-inspired lamps by Abigail Ahern are just what the doctor ordered. Her glowing glass toadstools can turn even the dullest room into a fairytale woodland. Choose from a variety of marbled shades including noir (black and white), dusk (brown and pink), or for the purist, a traditional forest green. With LED bulbs and no cords to speak of, you can take these ‘fun guys’ just about anywhere.
Safety Blanket
Chosen by Ginny Davies, Designer
The arrival of darker evenings and gloomier days bring with them an immediate urge for me to surrounded myself with flames, but the memory of starting a small incense-related, bin-based fire as a teenager haunts me enough to do so vigilantly. On hand to extinguish any open-flame mishaps, a fireblanket (the Swedish third of the WoI Art Desk has confirmed that this is indeed what the inscription on the front says) made by Solstickan, a Swedish charity foundation founded in 1936. Over the years, its matchboxes and lighters have become most well-known fire-igniters (and now extinguishers) in Sweden. Made of fibreglass, it can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees, while the perforated back makes the box easy to hang; the fireproof solution to keeping my winter aglow.
When in Roma
Chosen by Michaela Nilsson, Designer
When I lived in Rome my favourite month was October with its magical tradition of ottobrate romane – it’s the time of the year when the sunlight casts a special golden glow on everything and the temperature is still mild enough to enjoy days on the beach. Having now forsaken the Eternal City for Blighty, I can recreate the light with the ‘Roma’ lamp from Nassi. Established in Puglia, in southern Italy, in the 1960s, Nassi tells the story of three generations of women combining traditional lampshades with modern design using materials and colours connected with their land, which, despite being dry, poor and hard, is at the same time poetic, warm and full of symbolism.
Light from Scratch
Chosen by Alice Kemp-Habib, Features Editor
Looking for a tabletop trinket to spark conversation in your home? Enter Houseplant’s sleek pebble match strike. Significantly less gaudy than Seth Rogen’s usual output – all highlighter hues and knobbly bits – it nonetheless captures the brand founder’s form-meets-function design philosophy. Its rounded form, like two stones stacked on top of each other, opens to reveal a match holder and ashtray, while its textured surface invites touch and elevates a quotidian practice into a satisfying ritual. Pair with a Malin + Goetz’s bergamot-scented ‘Supercandle’ (above) for a true match made in heaven.
Celestial Object
Chosen by Tom Reynolds, Managing Editor
My favourite thing about our tiny flat in Camden is the huge window in the living room. For many days and nights we have followed 747s on their different flight paths, read the messages displayed on the BT tower and watched the cranes change the city before our eyes. But the star of the show is the moon when it decides to bathe us in its warm mystical glow. This is why we made sure to install the Flos ‘Glo-Ball’ pendant lamp. Its diffused warm light through the flashed opaline glass makes it an excellent moon-mimic and can make moonbathing feel like a nightly experience, even on cloudy nights.
Tinder is the Night
Chosen by Esosa Aiworo, Intern
The Cartier ‘Double C de Cartier Square Lighter’, with its palladium finish that gleams in the light, and sunray motif, can’t help but catch your eye. Each flick ignites not just candles but also memories of elegant evenings with friends. With the double-C logo subtly displayed, it’s a touch of sophistication to make every gathering feel extra special.
All is Bright
Chosen by Damian Thompson, Chief Sub-Editor
These days in Britain, white Christmases are so rare that you can stroll about your neighbourhood without the risk of a sudden trepanning from an icy stalactite falling off the eaves of a house. These lights safely offer the illusion of a properly frozen winter, without the hassle of exploding plumbing pipes and the need for fur-lined thermals. Intended for outside use, the 720 LED bulbs are attached to a plug-in 27.8-metre cord, and as well as a timer function, the circuitry allows for ten different light settings. Everyone will feel properly seasonal – even if that slippery tin tray in the pantry ends up staying put.
More tempting shopping stories from The World of Interiors
- Dig this: Gardening accessories to elevate your outdoor spaces
- The beverage report: a selection of delectable hot-chocolate pots
- Sweet Dreams: candy-coloured bedding
- Trick or treat yourself: Halloween decor
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