Illumination

Celebrate the beauty of nature with lighting pieces that draw reference to weather elements as well as flora and fauna

Chandeliers and lamps with organic details that draw reference from the beauty of nature

Most urbanites living in densely populated cities yearn to reconnect with the great outdoors, while doing all that we can to bring nature’s artistry into our homes. One simple way is to include statement lamps inspired by botany and other elements from the natural world. Some of the most captivating shapes, forms and textures are found in nature, and artists have long sought to capture its beauty through their work. Lighting designers too, have taken cues from nature to create innovative lamps inspired by landscapes and the animal kingdom. Here, we take a look at some of the most inspiring designs.

ETHEREAL ADDITION Designed by Swedish designer Johanna Forsberg for Northern, Heat is a pendant lamp that looks like a warm, glowing cloud. Composed of a single lamp encased in a brass mesh with undulating textures, this dynamic lamp brings plenty of artistic charm into your home, and works particularly well in bedrooms, anterooms, or above the dining table.

DELICATE FOLIAGE Designed in 1957 by Marc Lalique, the Champs-élysées chandeliers (pictured above and on the left) were inspired by the finely veined leaves of the luscious Plane trees that flank the titular boulevard in Paris. These chandeliers come with clear crystal pieces that look like snow-covered leaves. Handcrafted in France with a chrome-plated body, each leafshaped crystal is unique, and creates ever-shifting reflections when lit.

PERFECT BALANCE The sight of birds perched on tree branches inspired British architect Umut Yamac’s delightful Perch collection, which he designed for Moooi. The collection of six lamps includes a floor, wall, and table lamp as well as a chandelier and suspension light. Made of folded paper and brass, the Led-lit origami-style birds balance gracefully on their metal perch, which swings gently when tapped to give the lamp a sense of dynamism.

FACETS OF LIFE The Foglia-libellula lamp, designed by Sugo and handcrafted in Italy, captures the form and patterns of a dragonfly’s wing. A process called photocatalysis, which employs the properties of nanoparticles and titanium dioxide, is used to give the lamp a self-cleaning effect. Foglia means leaf in Italian, and like leaves photosynthesising, this sculptural floor lamp will automatically purify its surrounding environment when placed near natural light.

SAND FORMATIONS From Zaha Hadid Design comes Duna by Lasvit, a glass pendant lamp comprising a pair of three-dimensional, crystal glass forms inspired by the shape of sand dunes. When the narrowly directed light source moves through the striated surfaces of the organically shaped crystal glass, light reflects and refracts through the lamp to produces ever-changing, mesmerising light and shadow play.

FRUITFUL BOUNTY Wrapped in a shape reminiscent of the Cape gooseberry, Liceo by Santa & Cole weaves the organic form and texture of this exotic fruit into a modern pendant. First designed for the restored Barcelona grand opera theatre Liceo in 1999, the lamp is the work of Spanish designers Lluís Dilmé Romagós, Xavier Fabré, Eulàlia Serra and Ignasi de Solà-morales. It has a handcreased mesh shade attached to a steel shaft and a large light source at the bottom that emanates indirect light upwards.

COSY EMBRACE The Cocoon suspension lamp designed by Michael Anastassiades for Flos has an internal frame of two interlocking white powder-painted steel rings sprayed with a finish called “Cocoon”—a resin material that was invented to protect packaging for the US Army. Inspired by silkworm cocoons, Anastassiades used this unusual resin to create a transparent, membrane-like shade around the frame so the lamp exterior is visually and texturally similar to a real cocoon. NATURAL FOUNDATION Italian architects Marta Laudani and Marco Romanelli designed the Stone of Glass lamps for Oluce to resemble glowing stones in oblong shapes. Made of hand-blown Murano glass and available in three different sizes, these lighting pieces can be used as table, floor or decorative lamps. A version in white polyethylene is also available, making these lamps a perfect fit for Japanese-style rock gardens.

RUSTIC ROOTS Roll & Hill founder Jason Miller breaks away from the streamlined aesthetics of modernism and brings influences from nature to the brand’s Superordinate Antler chandeliers. Designed like a cluster or wreath made of antler-like branches, this gorgeous piece, though contemporary, exudes a rustic spirit that evokes visions of cosy cabins in the woods. GENTLE RAIN Appearing like raindrops suspended in mid-air, the Rain collection from Studio Italia Design is a simple yet sophisticated range of pendant lights. It appears even more spellbinding when grouped in a cluster to create the effect of a spring shower. With its minimal, organic shape, and shades available in finishes such as brushed chrome, copper bronze, rose gold and matt black or white, Rain is a versatile lamp that works well with many different interior themes.