New Classics: Ingo Maurer's Amazing Light Fixtures
Fluttery, whimsical or pure minimalist, these lighting designs earn attention all over the home
Becky Harris
July 24, 2012
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
It's hard to pinpoint a signature style for the lights designed by Ingo Maurer. There are whimsical lights composed of birds with lightbulb bodies and minimalist, ethereal lights made of Japanese paper; the style runs the gamut. One thing all the products have in common is thoughtful, good design.
Ingo Maurer started his career in Germany in graphic design. In 1963 he took his keen eye for style into lighting design, founding his own company. Maurer has a fascination with the bulb itself and often highlights bulbs in his designs. He's also an inventor, always working to create a better bulb and better light. His company, which includes other designers, is a prolific, taste-making institution, offering something for everyone.
Ingo Maurer started his career in Germany in graphic design. In 1963 he took his keen eye for style into lighting design, founding his own company. Maurer has a fascination with the bulb itself and often highlights bulbs in his designs. He's also an inventor, always working to create a better bulb and better light. His company, which includes other designers, is a prolific, taste-making institution, offering something for everyone.
Name: Birdie Chandelier
Designer: Ingo Maurer
Year designed: 2002
Material of note: Goose feathers
Where to use it: The Birdie looks smashing over a dining table, but be warned, like many good things, it's high maintenance. The bulbs have wings made of actual goose feathers, and the recommended method of cleaning is to gingerly dust them with a dry paintbrush.
As long as you have the clearance underneath, the Birdie will add whimsy to a bedroom, a foyer or a living room.
Designer: Ingo Maurer
Year designed: 2002
Material of note: Goose feathers
Where to use it: The Birdie looks smashing over a dining table, but be warned, like many good things, it's high maintenance. The bulbs have wings made of actual goose feathers, and the recommended method of cleaning is to gingerly dust them with a dry paintbrush.
As long as you have the clearance underneath, the Birdie will add whimsy to a bedroom, a foyer or a living room.
Name: Birds Birds Birds Chandelier
Where to use it: This is a larger version of the Birdie. It works well with other fun decor like Andy Warhol's pop art Marilyn portraits and Panton Chairs.
Where to use it: This is a larger version of the Birdie. It works well with other fun decor like Andy Warhol's pop art Marilyn portraits and Panton Chairs.
Name: Canned Light
Designers: Christoph Matthias and Hagen Sczech
Year designed: 2003
Material of note: Campbells soup can
Where to use it: This pendant was made for a kitchen island or over the kitchen sink, but use it anywhere you want to delight and surprise, perhaps as a bathroom sconce, in a gallery-like space or over your nightstand. After all, it has Warholian pop art appeal, not just comfort food appeal.
Designers: Christoph Matthias and Hagen Sczech
Year designed: 2003
Material of note: Campbells soup can
Where to use it: This pendant was made for a kitchen island or over the kitchen sink, but use it anywhere you want to delight and surprise, perhaps as a bathroom sconce, in a gallery-like space or over your nightstand. After all, it has Warholian pop art appeal, not just comfort food appeal.
Name: Campari Light Suspension
Designer: Raphaelle Celentano
Year designed: 2002
Material of note: Glass Italian Campari bottles
Where to use it: Anywhere you'd like to see a strong pop of red glass. I particularly like it in kitchens, in bathrooms and over bars.
Designer: Raphaelle Celentano
Year designed: 2002
Material of note: Glass Italian Campari bottles
Where to use it: Anywhere you'd like to see a strong pop of red glass. I particularly like it in kitchens, in bathrooms and over bars.
Name: Zettle'z Ceiling Lamp
Designer: Ingo Maurer
Year designed: 1997
Material of note: Paper with scribbled notes on it
Where to use it: Part mobile, part light source, this chandelier works just about anywhere. I never would have thought of using it over a bathtub before I saw this picture, but it fills that space so well.
The scribbled paper notes that replace typical chandelier crystals create quite an impression in an entryway or in an office as well. Or, because the notes can be romantic, consider hanging one over your bed.
Designer: Ingo Maurer
Year designed: 1997
Material of note: Paper with scribbled notes on it
Where to use it: Part mobile, part light source, this chandelier works just about anywhere. I never would have thought of using it over a bathtub before I saw this picture, but it fills that space so well.
The scribbled paper notes that replace typical chandelier crystals create quite an impression in an entryway or in an office as well. Or, because the notes can be romantic, consider hanging one over your bed.
Name: Floating Suspension
Designer: Ingo Maurer
Year designed: 1980
Material of note: Crinkled Japanese paper
Where to use it: This lovely and minimalist light hovers in the air overhead. The three tiers of paper cones diffuse the light, giving this piece the look of a soft, sculptural lantern.
Designer: Ingo Maurer
Year designed: 1980
Material of note: Crinkled Japanese paper
Where to use it: This lovely and minimalist light hovers in the air overhead. The three tiers of paper cones diffuse the light, giving this piece the look of a soft, sculptural lantern.
Name: Oh Mei Ma Kabir
Designer: Ingo Maurer and team
Year designed: 1997
Material of note: Sheets of aluminum
Where to use it: You'll want to be sure it's in a place where you can experience it in different ways. Looking at it from an angle and a higher elevation gives a totally different perspective than looking up at it from directly below.
Designer: Ingo Maurer and team
Year designed: 1997
Material of note: Sheets of aluminum
Where to use it: You'll want to be sure it's in a place where you can experience it in different ways. Looking at it from an angle and a higher elevation gives a totally different perspective than looking up at it from directly below.
For instance, a person walking along the second floor would experience the light in a totally different way than someone sitting in the living room.
When lit, the sheets reflect the light from the halogen light that hangs below.
More:
Modern Icons: Nelson Pendant Lights
Browse chandeliers in the Products section
More:
Modern Icons: Nelson Pendant Lights
Browse chandeliers in the Products section
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The Oh Mei Ma is wonderful. We have the silver version on display, and it was not until we installed it that I realized two things that make it a light that should not be seen from above: The metal ribs that give stability to the paper is totally visible on the top surface. The Oh Mei Ma also has small brightly colored "diffusers" on top to give extra unique light effects. You see this in the photo from our showroom.
As much as I love the Zettel'z chandelier over the tub: the delicate love notes would probably soon look a bit limp.