Designers Show Their Finest Lighting Pieces In Glass, Metal And More

More than just sockets, bulbs and shades, the lighting presented at Euroluce, Salone del Mobile in Milan straddled the juncture of art, design and functionality. Leaving the utilitarian behind, brands showcased their best: Ornate chandeliers, sparkling crystal creations, sleek glass forms and modern minimalist fixtures in all the hues of the rainbow. Homedit spent days gazing up at the glowing displays and culled these favorites from the fair.

Long-time fans of Arturo Alvarez, we love this ethereal grouping.  So understated, yet stunning, the URA Collection is formed with pleats and folds of painted stainless steel mesh. The different volumes and shapes work together almost as one organism.

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The glow these lamps emit is one-of-a-kind.

It’s not surprising that Alvarez’s Onn wall lamps look like large, illuminated sea urchins climbing the surface. He designed them to recall the undersea world of flora and fauna. Made from the same mesh, they have a completely different look and feel. Alvarez is known for his mesh works, as well as a translucent material he developed called SIMETECH®, which won a prestigious award from Interior Design magazine in 2014.

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Large and light-filled, these urchin-like forms are spectacular.

Axo Light’s display of the Orchid light is lots of fun and a good representation of the creative things that can be done with multiple units. Of course, the fixture can be used as a single unit, but combining them in a design that casts light in all directions is much more dramatic. The Orchid collection, made of aluminum, is available as wall, ceiling, suspended and floor lamps. The built-in LED light source is dimmable.

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Orchid was designed by Rainer Mutsch.

This colorful, modern-looking collections from Beby Italy is eye-catching for the individual globe construction as well as the glass colors. the delicate spines of glass give an Asian lantern-like feel to the fixtures, which is enhanced with the tassel embellishment. Even though there is more space than glass, the individual pieces that form the fixture seem to glow.

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These would be stunning in any space, particularly a modern one.

Petals of a flower, wings of an insect or just shards of translucence, these amber glass components make up a different type of fixture, also by Beby. The color of the glass is enhanced by the light, which casts a warm glow from the fixture.

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The lighting piece has a more organic form than many of the other fixtures.

Bernard Schottlander’s Mantis lamp comes in a variety different forms. Presented by DCW Editions, the lamp was created in 1950, and it;s easy to see the influence of Calder in the lamps design. Weights, counterweights and an aluminum shade come together in a timeless lamp that seems to go against gravity.

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The desk lamp version of the Mantis has received the European Consumers Choice designation.

Dutch lighting company Brand Van Egmond presented a wide array of interesting pieces, but we were particularly amused by these organic, squiggly pieces, all part of the Edison’s Tail collection. Aptly called lighting sculptures, the pieces bring focus to the bulb itself, which of course was created by inventor Thomas Edison. The company also likens the sections to the shoots of new plants that emerge from seeds. Either way, they are organic, unexpected and fun.

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The collection was created in 2017.

Contardi’s Calypso Collection is a colorful nod to the style of the 1940’s, and a melange of South American and European Art Deco design. The pairing of colorful accents with black and white lined shades create a series of small, coordinate pendants that form a first-class grouping. The pendants were designed by Servomuto, the duo of graphic designer Alessandro Poli and architect Francesca De Giorgi, known for designing lampshades.

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Satin brass, diffused glass and silk make up these pieces.

Contardi also had these geometric lights that as a grouping, make for a marvelous backdrop in a corner setting. The different sizes, angles and perspectives are an artful way to create ambiance and warmth with lighting.

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This makes for a very cozy corner.

DCW Editions featured the “Here Comes the Sun” luminaires, that were created in 1970 by Bertrand Balas, a Toulouse architect. The lamp is named for the Beatles song, written by George Harrison.

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The lamp comes in four colors and five sizes.

Euroluce Lampadari of Italy had a number of spectacular pieces and this chandelier of staggered blown vessels was a mass of color and shine. The green glow is cast from the overhead light source that reflects off the pieces below.

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Abstract and modern, the chandelier is an art statement piece.

These colorful pendants are from Feenbo. Splendid as a series, the ceramic spokes frame the large clear bulb at the center.  They are the Radiations collection, which is an homage to Einstein and the bending of the space-time continuum. No matter the meaning, they are stylish, casual and lively.

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More than a dozen color choices are available.

Archeo Venice Design reproduces objects from Venetian museum collections in Murano glass that can be easily introduced in a contemporary setting. The company has been able to reproduce several objects from the Fortuny Museum, particularly the lamps that were originally conceived in silk. Breathtaking is an understatement.

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Seven colors are available for this three-tier lighting piece.

We first saw Ferroluce of Italy at BDNY in New York and were excited to see them again at Salone Del Mobile. The company is relatively young — founded in 1982 — that melds traditional culture with international modernity. The fixtures are totally made in Italy and recreate some of the old-fashioned pieces that are perfect for today’s spaces. We’re especially fond of the industrial style fixtures in bright colors.

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The fixtures are colorful and European retro.

Fontana Arte presetned the ‘Setareh’ collection by Francesco Librizzi, a Sicilian architect. The aim was to give form to light by suspending a hand-blown white satin glass sphere, within a thin metal structure. The light illuminates the frame and the reflections create a field of space, defined by the metal.

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As a table lamp or a suspension lamp, the pieces are geometric and design forward.

IDL, known as Italian Design Lighting, is a partnership of two associates, Lino Feltrin and Antonio Piva, who manufacture decorative lighting. A hand-made and artisan approach, art of the Made in Italy movement, drives the company that creates innovative fixtures such as this branchy wall sconce.

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This piece is organic yet luxe thanks to the gilded branches.

Small bundles of gilded sticks make up the star-like globes of this multi-component chandelier, also from IDL. The little budles can be had a individual or dual pieces of a wall sconce or as a larger collection in this chandelier.

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Small pieces in repetition create a big impact.

Inarchi’s stand was filled with fixtures made of marble. This is the Geo, an asymmetrical suspension lamp , lit from within by high-performance LED lights.The spheres are majestic and reflect the natural grace of marble in an atypical form — lighting.

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Inarchi has created a collection of lighting that is minimal and innovative in material.

LZF displayed an amazing collection of wood veneer light fixtures both sophisticated and whimsical, including this elephant light that evokes Ganesh. Actually, it is the firm’s Smelly Fant figurine turned into a light sculpture. More than a meter and a half tall. Craftsman Manolo Martin turned designer Isidro Ferrer’s vision into reality. Martin used the “vareta” technique to form the three sections of the elephant.

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The lamp is available in birch, beech or elm.

LZF showed their range of exceptional fixtures made from Timberlite, a product they developed that is a thin, translucent wood veneer that allows their artisans to more easily create beautiful, durable and easy care light fixtures. This table lamp is the Carambola, designed by Spain’s Oskar Cerezo. The lampshade comes in nine different veneer finishes.

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Carambola is available as a suspension lamp and table lamp, and comes in four sizes.

Lavai of Italy showcased its luxe chandeliers as well as a variety of creations based on the Astoria chandelier. The individual leaves of the light fixture can be layered into tiers, creating spectacular columns of glittering light, such as this one.

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The glass leaves can be clear or gold.

Manooi’s Halo crystal chandelier is like a blazing ring of fire, with the gems protruding irregularly on the outside of the ring. The Swarovski crystals help create a substantial ring of light with a minimalist structure. LED light sources help cast the grand light.

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The ring is painted aluminum.

Ritzy, imposing chandeliers aplenty were at Euroluce for those who prefer a more ornate style. This opulent chandelier is by Mechini, which crafts its fixtures by hand in Florence. No two are alike and the company does not repeat designs. The one pictured below features spectacular bands of inset crystals on the arms and sports flowers of crystal in addition to the more traditional drops.

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All the fixtures are pure shine and light.
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A close-up of the delicate crystal flowers.

Stylcom of Italy presented this delicate chandelier, embellished with flowers, crystals and color. The company hand-crafts its pieces, featuring blown Venetian glass.

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The darker color palette is unique.

An explosion of colored glass makes up the chandeliers in the Light Flowers Collection by Vetreria Artistica Busato. The multicolored irises are illuminated by halogen bulbs, creating a lavish glass fixture. The company also has an Impressionist Collection, that features a related fixture in the style of Van Gogh, with Venetian glass blue irises growing out of the central part of the fixture.

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This is not your ordinary crystal chandelier.

Less ornate but just as splendid is this chandelier from Renzo Del Ventisette of Milan. The delicate arms are embellished with simple crystals, minimally draped, and accented with a limited number of gold drops.  This is the definition of extravagant simplicity.

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Less ornamentation gives the chandelier a more delicate look.

In a modern twist on the traditional chandelier, Metal Lux created the Dedalo Ø 100 Suspension light made of metal in chrome or matte gold. This skeletal design plays on the traditional shape and even uses drops made of wire in homage to the original crystal drops. Grand and stylish, this chandelier is perfect for people who are not fans of the crystal versions.

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The company is based in the Veneto lighting district.
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A closer look at the arms and drops.

Among the fashion houses at Salone Del Mobile was Missoni Home, which showcased its newest textiles. The coverings adorned light fixtures as well, including this dramatic grouping of drum lights. The mix of sizes and depths creates additional interest, and the colored bulbs in some of the fixtures change the quality of light emitted.

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A new usage of the company’s iconic stripe/zigzag pattern.

Paolo Castelli’s My Lamp Suspension Rectangular was a big draw. The fixture is an intriguing combination of simplicity and complexity: The mass of Venetian borosilicate glass tubes forms a fixture of complex design when grouped. The metal band that binds them together has a special galvanized finish.

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Plain round tubes never looked so good!

A different form of tube in a different style feature in this fixture from Barcelna’s Pedret. It is the Gaudi by designer Jordi Blasi. The simple, unadorned catenary arcs help bring the focus to the single bulb at the center. An homage to architect Antoni Gaudi, Blasi says that the catenary arcs were a critical part in many of Gaudi’s building designs.

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The lamp is available in polished brass, satin, chrome and bronze.

Among the many gorgeous lighting fixtures that Quasar displayed was this modestly sized table lamp called the Rontonton. Available in two sizes, it can also be suspended as a pendant. The lacy metal of varying designs casts interesting shadows and a warm light. It was created by Dutch designer Edward Van Vliet.

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Halogen bulbs light the fixture.

Quasar has been collaborating with Belgian designer Jan Pauwels for nearly a decade. This cloud fixture is one of Pauwels’ designs and truly evokes the feeling of clouds when you stand under it.  Soft and moody, the lights can be controlled with a remote dimmer.

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The fixtures are made of nickel and LEDs.

Since 1961, Serip has been creating lighting fixtures. This is their Bijout Collection — branches dripping with colorful crystal raindrops. The main structure is made from bronze and a symphony of variously sized and colored drops dangle artfully from the base.

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These fixtures provide rustic elegance.

At the modern end of the spectrum, Sillux exhibited the Wagon Wheel, a five-light spoke that surrounds a central bulb. Here, two are paired as a single, larger installation. Fixtures like these are perfect feature wall pieces.

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A modern and minimalist lighting installation.

This modern table light is from StyleNove Ceramiche of northern Italy.  Working with a large stable of well-known ceramic artists, the company creates amazing lighting, all from ceramics. Designed by sculptor Luca Cavalca, the Capodolio is a stylish fixture that provides nice mood lighting.

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The company was founded in 196y by Giovanni Zanovello.

Cute wall lights from Terzani called Doodles cast wonderful shadows as well as illuminate the space. Designed by Simone Micheli, each Doodle is unique ad hand-crafted. The Doodle is also available as a large chandelier, a vertical tower light and ball pendant.  Four finishes are available: Nickel, black amethyst, gold and copper. They make elegant fixtures, but are still light-hearted and fun.

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The company says that the Doodle reflects the fluidity of our generation.

A veritable forest of glass met visitors to the VetrArt stand. The company’s hand-blown Venetian glass can be used as lighting or art, as it is here. Founded in 1990 by Daniele Bagnara and Alessandra Schiano, the company’s master glass artisan’s create each piece, one at a time. Standing underneath, it was not possible to avoid being mesmerized by the twinkling, ombre shaded glass forms.

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Exacting artistry yields stunning results like these.

A modern installation of round globes takes on new dimensions when arced in an interesting manner. Spain’s Vibia offers customizable lighting that consists of these globes and a metal base. You choose how large or small the system will be and how many lights will be included. After that, the design can be as you like it.

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This is dramatic for an entryway.

The shadows from these Meridiano lamps by Vibio are almost interesting than the fixtures themselves. Wonderful for adding interest to an open space, the lines radiate out a long way. We could see these in a courtyard, public space or outdoor living space. Made of steel, aluminum and polycarbonate, the color of the lamps is bright and cheerful.

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It was designed by Jordi Vilardell.

As we said, with 450 lighting exhibitors, it was hard to sort out what we like best. This selection covers the range from traditional to modern and small to installation-sized pieces. There’s plenty of inspiration to be found whether you are looking for one fixture or an entire houseful. Keep an eye on Homedit for more new pieces that we think you’ll love.