Flos

Created in 1962 by Italian brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, this iconic steel-and-marble lamp's design was based on the shape of a streetlight. A sturdy base anchors the form, while the graceful arch of the stainless-steel shade extends eight feet.

The Chasen S2 has a chemically photo-etched stainless steel body with borosilicate glass diffuser and is finished in a white or black liquid paint.  It was designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2007 and the winner of the WallPaper Award in 2008.

No need to touch this cast-aluminum desk lamp to turn it off or on, when using the Force will do: Hover your hand above the square head of the Kelvin LED—a sleek update on the conical silhouette of Antonio Citterio’s original Kelvin design—and Jedi sensors will operate the LEDs.

New from Flos. This linear suspension light, designed by Philippe Starck, features a polished die-cast aluminum body with polycarbonate diffuser and steel suspension cables.

The Smithfield series of lights debuted at Euroluce in Milan this year, marking another slick collaboration between designer Jasper Morrison and iconic lighting company Flos. Like the Glo-Ball which came before, this fixture turns a simple shape into something super normal indeed.

Pros: Is it a Goomba from Super Mario Bros.? A strange breed of mushroom? Castiglioni’s striking 1967 marble, glass, and metal design is a surefire conversation starter.

It’s versatile: Focused light emanates below, while the holes in its top disperse a gentle glow.

Cons: The Snoopy's finicky touch-sensitive three-way dimmer is difficult to master. When we tried to dim the light, a gentle tap often sent us into the dark. Our frustrations were enough to warrant a Clapper.

Quite plainly, the sexiest task light you will ever see. The space between the single fold houses the halogen (or LED) bulbs, while the eponymous tab at the base of the shade enables a redirection of rays.