Blu Dot hits another home run with this utterly simple, yet irresistably delightful table lamp. We're fans of the white version, which plays a muted backdrop to its rich red cord, but it's also available in black on black if a monochromatic look is more your style.
Pros: The linen shade and the chunky walnut base channel a mid-century vibe while bringing it up to date. You can also tilt the base to balance on one leg. Two lamps in one!
The cord reaches a length of 80 inches—handy if your outlets are few or far between.
Cons: When poised on a single leg, the Rook is a bit unstable.
Rook takes up a lot of space, both in height and width, and would domineer small bedside tables or desks. Reserve for roomier perches.
A smooth, graphite-on-oak surface tops bent stainless steel legs in this dignified charmer from perennial favorite Blu Dot.
Pros
It packs flat, which means it’s cheaper and more environmentally friendly to ship. Plus you can fit a whole dining set in your Le Car.Assembly is a DIY-ers dream: Fold the powder-coated steel along perforated laser cuts to create the strikingly faceted chair.
Cons
Though 16 pounds doesn’t sound like much on paper, its angular shape makes it awkward and unwieldy to carry. The downside to hands-on assembly: When the paint chips along the folds, as it did on ours, there’s no one to blame but yourself.
Easy chairs are, sadly, not always so easy on the eyes. Give the old Barcalounger the boot and slip into Toro, a smooth leather-and-wood looker.
