Budget lights have shining moment
Fashion and celebrity photographer Matthew Rolston said it doesn’t take a huge budget to buy lights that look good — and that can make you look good too. He talks about some of his picks here; more picks and Rolston’s extended commentary are posted on our L.A. at Home blog,
Ikea 365+ Lunta | $69.99
“This table lamp has a dimmer already on the switch, which is convenient. The elongated shape of the lampshade is the main thing that I like, and the linen fabric on the shade creates a warm lantern-like quality. This reminds me of Philippe Starck’s Romeo Soft lamp for Flos.”
Lamps Plus White Linen Cylinder and Black Base Uplight | $39.99
“These lamps remind me of the designs of Christian Liaigre. I enjoy the blackened foot base — a combination of Asian and Minimalist influences — and the shade is a good quality linen. ... I have four of these in my home and put a 40-watt bulb in each, with a dimmer.”
West Elm Industrial Pendant | $99
“The bulb isn’t included with this piece, so you’d have to find it at a place like Light Bulbs Unlimited, which has three locations (L.A., Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks). But it’s worth the extra effort. The pendant and the half-silvered filament bulb expose the materials of what makes light itself, and I think that is a very much of-the-moment thing.”
Ikea Stockholm LED floor/read lamp | $99.99
“This is a beautifully shaped object. ... This floor lamp comes with an LED bulb already in it, and that source casts a greenish light that I find unattractive. So I took the fixture to a neighborhood lamp repair shop and had them rewire it for a halogen MR16 bulb. As always, I also had them add a dimmer. Altogether the work cost under $100.”