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This lamp is really quite striking; I would have it in my home in a heartbeat if it were just a bit more affordable.

“TOFU lamp, similar to the popular Japanese food. is created using a delicate manufacturing and cutting technique. Tofu becomes complete when the illuminant is inserted. The significance of Tofu is manifested through light, not the lamp.”

Tofu Mini: $560.00
Height: 8 1/4” (210mm)
Width: 11” (280mm)
Depth: 3” (76mm)
Weight: 9.3lb (4.2kg)

Tofu Regular (+$80.00):
Height: 11 5/8”(295mm)
Width: 14 3/8” (365mm)
Depth: 3” (76mm)
Weight: 17.7lb (8kg)

Material: Methacrylate(PMMA) & aluminum.

A pretty pink pigeon made of Perspex.

Wall mounted 3mm vac-formed Perspex with 25W light bulb. Designed by Ed Carpenter.
Available in Pink or White.

Did you know that ‘Hebi’ translates to ‘Snake’ in Japanese? This little lamp can twist in every direction, which allows you to shed light any which where you please- even the shade rotates. Created in 1970, this lamp is one of the many icons of 20th century design. It holds a rightful place in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Flexible metal tube covered in PVC.

Size: ca. 3.5″ Diameter lamp shade x 19.68″ long fully extended.

The Nut Sconce by Ray Power (is that a stage name?) uses thin woof veneer (in either natural cherry or white ash) over a formed polyester shape which allows both direct and indirect lighting.

The Sconce easily installs vertically or horizontally. Bulb (not included): Incandescent 40W/120V/E26/A19. Made in Spain

Totally sustainable lighting. Leave it on your window sill all day and by nightfall you’ll have a nice glowing bulb to guide your way.

Lamp shades that change pictures when you turn the lights on. A sweet bucolic scene of animals in a field suddenly turns creepy when illuminated and hunters appear. There are eight total scenes to choose from: sea, zoo, snails, birds eye, skeletons, bugs, bank robbery and hunters.

(no longer available)

This reminds me of something out of ‘Wierd Science’ (that’s a good thing I think).

From Uncommon Goods:
“With its Bakelite black box, toggle switch, mirror top, dimmer knob (a factory replacement for a Fender Telecaster guitar) and bulbs that evoke the vacuum tubes of high-end amplifiers, this lamp was designed as a tribute to high-end audio amplifiers. Illuminate your home with the minimalist design and retro style of this creation from scientist-turned-artist Nik Willmore.”

Made in New York City.
Uses nine standard 25W bulbs, included.

6.5″H x 7″W

This is something fun- it can function as a bookend or as an “enlightened” book within a row of books. Hand-polished.

Dimensions: 7.25″H x 5.3″W x 2″D
Materials: Clear Lexane

How many socially responsible individuals does it take to change a lightbulb? None. They don’t need to b/c they bought the forever LED bulb designed by scientists from Nichia, Japan. Via Product Dose.

I saw this on TV the other day. I can’t remember what I was watching, but I love this lamp. It has a rotating head so you can focus or difuse light depending on your needs. What more do you need?

Clear cord set with white full range dimmer.

I really like the idea of stuff that arrives flat, and, within minutes, suddenly becomes a light. Made of PVC and steel, this light is pretty and nice and not-so-expensive for those of us watching our budget. Made in Sweden.

Designed by Dick Lundgren, 2002

Size: 14.75h x 7.5w x 7.5″ diam.

When you turn these on, they inflate to their shape as shown. When you turn them off, they sink “quietly to sleep”.

Materials: Rip-stop nylon, 12w fan.
Designers: Vesa Hinkola, Markus Nevalainen & Rane Vaskivuori

Floor Light: 70.1″H, 31.5″dia, available from finnairplusshop.com or shop.paloranta.org
Pole Light: 63″H, 25.6″dia
Hanging Light: 31.5″dia, available from finnishdesignshop.com
Wall Light: 25.6″dia

(Link and price updated January 24, 2011.)

While I am tempted to try making this myself, I know I won’t ’cause it would involve way too much effort on my part. Seems much easier to just pay some money and have it arrive at one’s doorstep bright, shiny and new. And look at the wonderful shadows! Each piece is hand formed in aluminum wire; available in different sizes.

Designer: Alex Berthiaume

Dimensions: 10″ x 12″ x 12″

This would be voted “easiest light fixture to install”. No directions necessary (except for you read-everything-twice-before-picking-up-the-drill) since you just screw in the curved aluminum piece to the wall, and then clip in the reflective bulb. All that’s left is plugging the cord into an outlet. See? Super easy.

7″ tall, 2.5″ wide, and 8″ in depth

(8’ white cordset and a 40w bulb are included in the price)

This was designed as an affordable way to filter out the harsh light of a lone bulb. Attractive on one bulb, and even more so on several bulbs. This won an award in ID magazine.

Here they are en masse at Bergdorf Goodman.