Coastal style pendant lights made from rattan, wicker, seagrass, and more.
These days, it seems, a room is not complete with a pendant light made from natural fibers. Even if you’re not celebrating coastal decor, somehow, rattan makes its way into a room.
Natural fiber pendant lights made from rattan, wicker, seagrass, jute, hemp, rope, and the like, is certainly an effective way to add texture into a room. And you can supersize your light fixture and go with a dramatic silhouette without being too too, because the earthy material tempers the glam effect.
There is a never ending array of rattan pendant lights and rattan chandeliers on the market. I’ve curated the best ones, from simple wicker globe pendants to distinctive statement chandeliers to artsy, natural fiber pendant lights that almost look like handwoven works of art.
Which would I chose? I like the tailored shape of #2, the playful boutique hotel vibe of #4, the simplicity of #10, and the nostalgia of #38, which looks like the light pendant that hung in my childhood bedroom.
I seem always to be researching lighting for one situation or another. (Currently I’m choosing lights to brighten up and modernize our Florida condo.) Luckily sites like Lumens make choosing modern lighting easy, from basic fixtures to on-trend statement lighting. This StyleCarrot affiliate has asked me to create a post on its modern lighting sale, going on now. (This post is sponsored, but I am a devoted Lumens customer.)
The Lumens lighting sale offers 40+ modern lighting brands at up to 40% off. I’ve combed every lighting category in the sale for my favorite picks for modern chandeliers, modern pendant lights, modern sconces, flush mount fixtures, table lamps, floor lamps, and more, from brands and designers including Artemide, Tom Dixon, Muuto, Sonneman, Flos, and others.
Some of them I have been coveting for years, others I am lucky enough to own. I helped a friend choose #1 for the playroom in her Manhattan apartment and it looks fantastic —clean, curvy lines with some shine. I really wanted to install #3 in our house on the Cape, but had to go with something less expensive; I still love it though. I’m a sucker for anything resembling gray flannel or concrete so #4 is a fun fave (plus I got to visit the Muuto offices on a press trip to Copenhagen).
Speaking of Danish Design, the matte black sconce (#13) by Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen is a longtime classic. And I’d definitely label #7, Tom Dixon’s copper pendant, a newfound classic lighting option. And one more… I included #8—spare brass sconces with a white glass globe— by contemporary lighting design master Michael Anastassiades in a design mockup for my family room makeover (see “related posts” at the bottom). This could be the perfect opportunity to purchase a pair.
Here are my 15 favorite modern lighting styles from the Lumens lighting sale.
A few weeks ago I did a small roundup of modern rocking chairs to accompany a decor story in the Boston Globe. (Every Monday my lovely colleague Jaci Conroy writes an interior design article for the Globe and I pull together a corresponding group of furnishings & accessories.) I found so many great modern rocking chairs + contemporary rocking chairs that I figured a blog post was in order.
These all have great styling and are a far departure from traditional rockers or overstuffed gliders for the nursery. We have an Eames molded plastic rocker in sky blue on the Cape that we bought for my son, though I think it’s in our room now. Sometimes I use it on our little deck. I didn’t include that iconic example here, but there are other examples (mid-century modern furniture replicas), like the #16, the Swerve which has jaunty cut-outs and a full wooden base.
I love the look of #5, a very spare rocker from NYC shop Matter, and of love the tall mint-upholstered one by Normann Copenhagen. And if only I could place that blush colored Artifort rocker in the model apartment I’m decorating. Probably thought, the one that makes the most sense for my lifestyle is Gus Modern’s GT rocker (#13). It is definitely a contemporary rocking chair in style, but with enough cushion to be comfy.
Shop 30 modern rocking chairs from StyleCarrot partners and other favorite shops.
1 Comback Rocking Chair by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell, $890 at YLiving.
2 Taxed Rocking Chair by Segis, $1,309.99 at AllModern.
Architect and collector Lisa S. Roberts new book DesignPOP (Rizzoli 2014) surveys the best furniture and accessories (so far) of the 21st century. In between the bold photographs of these iconic contemporary pieces, Roberts discusses new materials and processes, as well as how sustainability and social responsibility, influence designers’ paths. She points out that even the definition of designer is changing as disciplines merge. For example, products from companies like Apple and Dyson often exemplify considered cutting edge design.
As I flipped through the colorful pages of DesignPOP, I was struck by how many of the items I’ve come across in my life, and even own. While I covet high end design, I don’t have the funds for splurging on it. However, Roberts mixes the practically unattainable with practical everyday products
For example, she puts forth the Soft Urn designed by Hella Jongerius, which appears to be a traditional pottery vase, but is instead made of silicone. I discovered silicone urns a number of years ago (I think mine are by Menu though), and love them because if the kids knock them over, they won’t break.
I’ve bet you seen the Bobble, even if you don’t realize it. Bobble is an ergonomically-shaped, thin plastic water bottle with built in filter, designed by Karim Rashid. I have one for each of my kids to keep by their bedsides; I purchased them at Target. I’ve never changed the filters… should probably get on that.
Other designers highlighted include Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Marc Newson, Marcel Wanders, Yves Behar, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Philippe Starck, Ross Lovegrove, and Jasper Morrison.
I sent Roberts a few questions to answer about her findings and favorites from DesignPop, answered below, complete with products featured in the book.
Were most of these products familiar to you before starting the research? Any new finds? I knew many since I follow the industry very closely. But during my research I discovered the Flip Flop Vase by Diederick Schneemann, the Chubby Chair by Dirk Vander Kooij, the Lytro Light Field Camera by New Deal Design, and the Nest Thermostat by Tony Fadell.
Flip Flop Vase by Diederick Schneemann
Made from recycled flip flops washed up on Kenyan beaches .
Chubby Chair by Dirk Vander Kooij
Made from 3D printed recycled refrigerator plastic, with their waste made into clothes hangers.
Nest Thermostat by Tony Fadell
$249 at Amazon We purchased one of these, drawn in by both the design and “smart” functionality. Unfortunately we couldn’t get it to work with our HVAC system, but not for lack of trying. This 2.0 version may be easier to implement. They have a great help line.
Your picks all come out of the 21st century. What are some products designed before 2000 that may have been included if you expanded the time frame? There were a lot of game-changing designs before 2000. There’s the Vermelha Chair by Humberto and Fernando Campana, the Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry, and the Bookworm by Ron Arad.
Vermelha Chair by Humberto and Fernando Campana $12,821 at Switch Modern The upholstery is completely made of intertwined cotton ropes.
Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry
$1,140 at AllModern Designed back in 1972 and made from cardboard.
Bookworm by Ron Arad
$408 at Lumens I’ve always been intrigued this piece in the MoMA catalog. It’s flexible and can be made into any shape.
Which brand new products would make the list if you did a follow up? The Carbon Balloon Chair by Marcel Wanders. It’s made of carbon fiber and resin, weighs about one and a half pounds, and can hold up to 198 pounds. Also the Polygon Chair by Joris Laarman, which combines advanced technology with hand assembly. It’s comprised of mathematically designed CNC milled pieces that are assembled like a puzzle, by hand.
Carbon Balloon Chair by Marcel Wanders
An ultra light carbon fiber chair inspired by balloons.
Do you own any of the products featured in the book? I own many of the products in the book. Some are on display in my personal gallery and some I live with. I love the Collapsible Strainer by Boje Estermann because it takes up so little space in my drawer. The Peacock Chair by Dror Benshetrit sits in my foyer and is as attractive as it is comfortable. The Fred Humidifier by Matti Walker comes out whenever someone in the family has a cold. I also have two Midsummer Lights by Tord Boontje that hang over the conference table in my home office.
Collapsible Strainer by Boje Estermann
$60 at Lumens Last year I bought a collapsible silicone salad spinner at T.J.Maxx for our little condo in Florida. It is one of the best gadgets you can buy, because really, who has room for a salad spinner. Ditto for a full-size colander.
Peacock Chair by Dror Benshetrit Two-and-a-half years ago I interviewed Dror Benshetrit at his studio in NYC for Design Milk. He had one of these chairs there and I was instantly smitten. It’s felt and very visually satisfying. The full interview is here, and you can see some extra tidbits and photographs here.
I bought two Midsummer Light shades, one in citron and one in violet, many years ago, thinking I might use them in the guest rooms on the Cape. I didn’t, but I still have them. I know one day I’ll find the right spot. They’re magical.
Which are your favorites?
The iPhone because I can’t live without it and the Bank in the Form of A Pig by Harry Allen because it always makes me smile. I love my Rainbow Chair by Patrick Norguet because it captures light in the most amazing way, casting a rainbow shadow on the floor. Also, of all the designs I own, it has increased the most in value since I purchased it!
Bank in the Form of A Pig by Harry Allen
$200 at Nordstrom This design, which is now done in shiny turquoise, pink, gold and other colors, was modeled on an actual suckling pig that had died of natural causes, cast it in resin. $10 of every pig bank sale goes to the Humane Society.
Husband and wife design duo Bob and Cortney Novogratz are at it again. There latest effort is the 9 by Novogratz bedding and bath collection at Walmart. The line includes bedding, beds, and bath accessories in their signature bright, geometric pops of color. The pieces are great for kids—the couple have seven of their own—and extra vibrant grownups.
Bob and Cortney Novogratz masterfully layer pattern and color, but of course the throw pillows, shams, duvets, towels, and shower curtains work perfectly as accents . The collection also includes furniture—painted metal beds, upholstered beds and headboards in stripes and solids, tufted storage ottomans, solid color sofas, and chevron armchairs.
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