Lighting Trends: Organic Beauty and Surprising Shapes at ICFF
Natural forms, handblown glass and customizable looks were seen at the 2019 International Contemporary Furniture Fair
Elegant shapes permeated the display of lighting fixtures at the 2019 International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. We saw an emphasis on beauty as well as on customization that empowers a designer to tailor a fixture for a client project.
ICFF, held May 19-22, included more than 900 exhibitors in furniture and accessories representing 64 countries. It attracted more than 38,000 attendees, including architects, interior designers, developers and visual merchandisers. Read on to learn about five lighting trends that Houzz saw at the trade show.
ICFF, held May 19-22, included more than 900 exhibitors in furniture and accessories representing 64 countries. It attracted more than 38,000 attendees, including architects, interior designers, developers and visual merchandisers. Read on to learn about five lighting trends that Houzz saw at the trade show.
Dew pendant. Photo from SkLO Studio
The Dew pendant from SkLO Studio in Healdsburg, California, made its U.S. debut at ICFF and stems from work that design director Karen Gilbert had done with vases. Its drip-like appearance is created by adding layers while the glass is hot. The pendant is available in both a sandblasted and a clear finish, pictured. SkLO showed the fixture for the first time at the Euroluce show in Milan.
SkLO creates lighting that is different from the hard-edged, architectural pieces Gilbert often sees. “We are producing work that is softer, more feminine, with a real interest in the beautiful,” she said.
The Dew pendant from SkLO Studio in Healdsburg, California, made its U.S. debut at ICFF and stems from work that design director Karen Gilbert had done with vases. Its drip-like appearance is created by adding layers while the glass is hot. The pendant is available in both a sandblasted and a clear finish, pictured. SkLO showed the fixture for the first time at the Euroluce show in Milan.
SkLO creates lighting that is different from the hard-edged, architectural pieces Gilbert often sees. “We are producing work that is softer, more feminine, with a real interest in the beautiful,” she said.
Nebula pendant by Studio Mirei. Photo from Costantini
This photo shows the Nebula pendant, made from banana fiber and roughly 24 inches in diameter. The Nebula collection is inspired by interstellar clouds of dust and gas — regions where stars begin to form. The designer is Milan artist Mirei, who started her career in her native Philippines. She is represented in the U.S. by New York-based Costantini.
This photo shows the Nebula pendant, made from banana fiber and roughly 24 inches in diameter. The Nebula collection is inspired by interstellar clouds of dust and gas — regions where stars begin to form. The designer is Milan artist Mirei, who started her career in her native Philippines. She is represented in the U.S. by New York-based Costantini.
Vale series from ANDlight
2. Modular and Customizable Pieces
Several lighting products at the show were made specifically to be customized, giving designers a sense of ownership and a stake in using the product. One example is the Vale series by designer Caine Heintzman of ANDlight, which can be connected end to end or side to side to create various formations. Vale can be hung vertically or horizontally and is available as a pendant, wall light or floor lamp.
2. Modular and Customizable Pieces
Several lighting products at the show were made specifically to be customized, giving designers a sense of ownership and a stake in using the product. One example is the Vale series by designer Caine Heintzman of ANDlight, which can be connected end to end or side to side to create various formations. Vale can be hung vertically or horizontally and is available as a pendant, wall light or floor lamp.
Gamma collection by CVL
The new Gamma lighting system, designed by Sylvain Willenz for French brand CVL, is based on the multiplication of metal tubes and opal white polycarbonate cylinders. The pieces can be assembled in a straight or wavy line or a ring. This photo shows the lights as a wall sconce, a chandelier and a pendant. Designers can add pieces as they wish. Gamma fixtures are available in brass, nickel and copper and in finishes from satin to brushed to graphite. The CVL brand won Best in Show in the lighting category. It debuted at Euroluce this year.
The new Gamma lighting system, designed by Sylvain Willenz for French brand CVL, is based on the multiplication of metal tubes and opal white polycarbonate cylinders. The pieces can be assembled in a straight or wavy line or a ring. This photo shows the lights as a wall sconce, a chandelier and a pendant. Designers can add pieces as they wish. Gamma fixtures are available in brass, nickel and copper and in finishes from satin to brushed to graphite. The CVL brand won Best in Show in the lighting category. It debuted at Euroluce this year.
Chime collection by Stickbulb
New York light-maker Stickbulb debuted its new Chime collection at ICFF, which comes in three diameters and a variety of bulb lengths, and can be nested in cascading forms up to 12 feet long. This photo shows Chime in a 10-foot cascade, with individual pieces made of reclaimed redwood from a water tower atop Brooklyn’s first skyscraper.
Each Stickbulb — which is a solid piece of wood with an embedded LED — in the chandelier can rotate 360 degrees and sway in the breeze thanks to its balljoint connector. The Chime collection is available in reclaimed heart pine and NYC water tower redwood, sustainably sourced American walnut and maple, and ebonized oak.
The design won Best in Show for this year’s NYCxDesign, the city’s annual celebration of design, which includes ICFF.
New York light-maker Stickbulb debuted its new Chime collection at ICFF, which comes in three diameters and a variety of bulb lengths, and can be nested in cascading forms up to 12 feet long. This photo shows Chime in a 10-foot cascade, with individual pieces made of reclaimed redwood from a water tower atop Brooklyn’s first skyscraper.
Each Stickbulb — which is a solid piece of wood with an embedded LED — in the chandelier can rotate 360 degrees and sway in the breeze thanks to its balljoint connector. The Chime collection is available in reclaimed heart pine and NYC water tower redwood, sustainably sourced American walnut and maple, and ebonized oak.
The design won Best in Show for this year’s NYCxDesign, the city’s annual celebration of design, which includes ICFF.
Trilogy sconce from Articolo Lighting
3. An Emphasis on Materials
A number of the fixtures shown at ICFF celebrate the beauty in materials, including handblown glass, wood and patinated finishes. Melbourne, Australia, studio Articolo Lighting debuted its Trilogy wall sconce, a spinoff of its Trilogy pendant, which features handblown glass and handcrafted metal components.
3. An Emphasis on Materials
A number of the fixtures shown at ICFF celebrate the beauty in materials, including handblown glass, wood and patinated finishes. Melbourne, Australia, studio Articolo Lighting debuted its Trilogy wall sconce, a spinoff of its Trilogy pendant, which features handblown glass and handcrafted metal components.
Close-up of Penna pendant by Cerno
California lighting company Cerno introduced its Penna collection, which showcases natural materials. This photo shows a close-up of the pendant, which is composed of a single piece of walnut, brass hardware and a leather strap. Penna is available in natural and dark-stained walnut and in two sizes (40 and 64 inches).
California lighting company Cerno introduced its Penna collection, which showcases natural materials. This photo shows a close-up of the pendant, which is composed of a single piece of walnut, brass hardware and a leather strap. Penna is available in natural and dark-stained walnut and in two sizes (40 and 64 inches).
Rhythm of Light from Hollands Licht
For Hollands Licht’s Rhythm of Light fixture, Dutch designer Susanne de Graef chose yarn colors that span the rainbow to form the light’s shape. The lamp can be installed in two positions: hanging loose, as shown in this photo, or as a modern chandelier with the lowest ring lifted. This lighting fixture debuted in 2016 but still stands out in the crowd.
For Hollands Licht’s Rhythm of Light fixture, Dutch designer Susanne de Graef chose yarn colors that span the rainbow to form the light’s shape. The lamp can be installed in two positions: hanging loose, as shown in this photo, or as a modern chandelier with the lowest ring lifted. This lighting fixture debuted in 2016 but still stands out in the crowd.
Guston wall light by James Dieter
4. Unexpected Shapes
Several makers presented unique and unexpected shapes in lighting fixtures at the ICFF show, affording designers and their clients the opportunity to create a look that is not commonly found.
Brooklyn designer James Dieter based his Guston wall light on drawings he created after seeing the Comme des Garçons show celebrating the work of the fashion brand’s Rei Kawakubo at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is known for her avant-garde designs.
4. Unexpected Shapes
Several makers presented unique and unexpected shapes in lighting fixtures at the ICFF show, affording designers and their clients the opportunity to create a look that is not commonly found.
Brooklyn designer James Dieter based his Guston wall light on drawings he created after seeing the Comme des Garçons show celebrating the work of the fashion brand’s Rei Kawakubo at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is known for her avant-garde designs.
Hill ceiling light from Hachi Collections
Brooklyn-based Hachi Collections’ bleached oak Hill ceiling light offers surprising curves for a wood chandelier.
Salone del Mobile 2019: The Changing Face of Design
Brooklyn-based Hachi Collections’ bleached oak Hill ceiling light offers surprising curves for a wood chandelier.
Salone del Mobile 2019: The Changing Face of Design
Surrey Suspension IV 8-foot cable by Luke Lamp
Luke Lamp debuted several new fixtures, including this new chandelier. The piece uses the light-maker’s signature LED rope coiled loosely over a brass bar. The rope is made with commercial-grade LED lights covered by a woven nylon exterior. The bars come in several finishes.
Luke Lamp debuted several new fixtures, including this new chandelier. The piece uses the light-maker’s signature LED rope coiled loosely over a brass bar. The rope is made with commercial-grade LED lights covered by a woven nylon exterior. The bars come in several finishes.
Acoustic Shade by LightArt
5. Sound-Absorbing Features
More than one light-maker at ICFF mentioned features that help absorb sound. This photo shows the new Acoustic Shade, a play on the classic lampshade from Seattle-based LightArt. Though commonly used in commercial spaces, these fixtures can also be useful sound buffers for residential loft spaces.
The Acoustic Shade is made out of Sola felt, which is manufactured with 50 percent post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a material used in plastic water bottles.
More on Houzz
At ICFF, Furnishings Show Off Curves and Versatility
Read more about design around the world
Find a pro to help with your project
Shop for products and materials
5. Sound-Absorbing Features
More than one light-maker at ICFF mentioned features that help absorb sound. This photo shows the new Acoustic Shade, a play on the classic lampshade from Seattle-based LightArt. Though commonly used in commercial spaces, these fixtures can also be useful sound buffers for residential loft spaces.
The Acoustic Shade is made out of Sola felt, which is manufactured with 50 percent post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a material used in plastic water bottles.
More on Houzz
At ICFF, Furnishings Show Off Curves and Versatility
Read more about design around the world
Find a pro to help with your project
Shop for products and materials
1. Organic Forms
In contrast with some of the straight-lined lighting fixtures on the market now, this year’s ICFF included shapes that take their cue from nature. Canadian light-maker ANDlight debuted three new collections, including the Pebble series shown here, which received the Best Pendant award at the show. The fixture features two blown glass shapes that come together in one lamp.
“The initial inspiration for the series was the inherent beauty of river rocks — seemingly simple, the complexity of their form and how they interact are the result of thousands of years of sculpting by nature,” said designer Lukas Peet.
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