SubscribeSign In
Thomas Heatherwick with Ingo Maurer: Standard lightbulb
Thomas Heatherwick with Ingo Maurer: Standard lightbulb
Those who turn their eyes inwards are greeted by the bar's mirrored surface. Offering a quirky alternative to the lamps traditional in restaurants and dining rooms, lightbulbs hung in a grid incorporate the glassware behind the bar and on the tables in the restaurant's dynamic aesthetic.
Those who turn their eyes inwards are greeted by the bar's mirrored surface. Offering a quirky alternative to the lamps traditional in restaurants and dining rooms, lightbulbs hung in a grid incorporate the glassware behind the bar and on the tables in the restaurant's dynamic aesthetic.
This is the world's first designer energy-saving lightbulb—a sculptural piece so lovely, you’ll be reluctant to use a shade. Check out this product here.
This is the world's first designer energy-saving lightbulb—a sculptural piece so lovely, you’ll be reluctant to use a shade. Check out this product here.
The cedar weatherboard ceiling in the living pavilion features triangular recesses for lightbulbs.
The cedar weatherboard ceiling in the living pavilion features triangular recesses for lightbulbs.
Old-fashioned filament lightbulb fixtures hang on the wall. Photo by: Martin Kaufmann
Old-fashioned filament lightbulb fixtures hang on the wall. Photo by: Martin Kaufmann
The wood-and-steel open staircase wends its way up three stories, supported by a concrete structural wall embedded with PVC tubes and bare lightbulbs.
The wood-and-steel open staircase wends its way up three stories, supported by a concrete structural wall embedded with PVC tubes and bare lightbulbs.
Sayes designed a pegboard screen to hide a bathtub and wash basin in the downstairs bathroom, and used the same shade of salmon-hued paint from Resene on the ceiling in the master bedroom. Sayes fashioned the pendant lamp from common parts, including a ceramic socket and a G125 incandescent lightbulb.
Sayes designed a pegboard screen to hide a bathtub and wash basin in the downstairs bathroom, and used the same shade of salmon-hued paint from Resene on the ceiling in the master bedroom. Sayes fashioned the pendant lamp from common parts, including a ceramic socket and a G125 incandescent lightbulb.
The circle on Paul Lee's piece, crafted from wood, acrylic paint, tambourine bells, and a lightbulb, glows pinkish-yellow like the moon.
The circle on Paul Lee's piece, crafted from wood, acrylic paint, tambourine bells, and a lightbulb, glows pinkish-yellow like the moon.
SPARE " last of the lightbulbs " One light-bulb burns, the other light-bulbs function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. The burning bulb will light up the other bulbs. When the bulb is burned out: simply screw the lamp-holder on to an other bulb. Part of the design-collection of: “DESIGN MUSEUM GENT” in Belgium.
SPARE " last of the lightbulbs " One light-bulb burns, the other light-bulbs function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. The burning bulb will light up the other bulbs. When the bulb is burned out: simply screw the lamp-holder on to an other bulb. Part of the design-collection of: “DESIGN MUSEUM GENT” in Belgium.
SPARE " last of the lightbulbs " One light-bulb burns, the other light-bulbs function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. The burning bulb will light up the other bulbs. When the bulb is burned out: simply screw the lamp-holder on to an other bulb. Part of the design-collection of: “DESIGN MUSEUM GENT” in Belgium.
SPARE " last of the lightbulbs " One light-bulb burns, the other light-bulbs function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. The burning bulb will light up the other bulbs. When the bulb is burned out: simply screw the lamp-holder on to an other bulb. Part of the design-collection of: “DESIGN MUSEUM GENT” in Belgium.
SPARE " last of the lightbulbs " One light-bulb burns, the other light-bulbs function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. The burning bulb will light up the other bulbs. When the bulb is burned out: simply screw the lamp-holder on to an other bulb. Part of the design-collection of: “DESIGN MUSEUM GENT” in Belgium.
SPARE " last of the lightbulbs " One light-bulb burns, the other light-bulbs function as a lampshade, diffusing and spreading the light. The burning bulb will light up the other bulbs. When the bulb is burned out: simply screw the lamp-holder on to an other bulb. Part of the design-collection of: “DESIGN MUSEUM GENT” in Belgium.
Patten fashions more than just sandwiches; the light fixture in the back of the restaurant (like an incandescent bouquet) is his own design of lightbulbs and vacuum tubes.
Patten fashions more than just sandwiches; the light fixture in the back of the restaurant (like an incandescent bouquet) is his own design of lightbulbs and vacuum tubes.
In the kitchen, compact fluorescent lightbulbs affixed to the ceiling are a simple solution.
In the kitchen, compact fluorescent lightbulbs affixed to the ceiling are a simple solution.
Different lightbulbs can change this Cosmo Pendant from throwback to new age.
Different lightbulbs can change this Cosmo Pendant from throwback to new age.
With legs stemming from the globe and lightbulbs emanating from the legs, the appearance of an octopus takes shape.
With legs stemming from the globe and lightbulbs emanating from the legs, the appearance of an octopus takes shape.
These lightbulbs and switches are prototypes from IKEA’s Home Smart line that allow for customizable and programmable lighting.
These lightbulbs and switches are prototypes from IKEA’s Home Smart line that allow for customizable and programmable lighting.
Light streams into the Ment studio and showroom. The pitchers and vases are from the Stolt collection, while the hanging vases—inspired by lightbulbs—are from the Gnist collection.
Light streams into the Ment studio and showroom. The pitchers and vases are from the Stolt collection, while the hanging vases—inspired by lightbulbs—are from the Gnist collection.
Crummy lighting here—but then, what nightclub photographs that well?—but I did quite like the rolling topographic installation of lightbulbs on the ceiling of the Modern's nightclub, Addiction.
Crummy lighting here—but then, what nightclub photographs that well?—but I did quite like the rolling topographic installation of lightbulbs on the ceiling of the Modern's nightclub, Addiction.
The studio also had a piece in Euroluce, the bi-annual lighting fair. The Orb pendant features a smoked glass shade and metallic elements that reference the look of lightbulb filaments.
The studio also had a piece in Euroluce, the bi-annual lighting fair. The Orb pendant features a smoked glass shade and metallic elements that reference the look of lightbulb filaments.
Although reminiscent of a traditional filament lightbulb, the TRÅDFRI from IKEA is updated with LED technology and can be used with an IKEA wireless dimmer, which is sold separately. Not bad for a last-minute addition to your blue bag.
Although reminiscent of a traditional filament lightbulb, the TRÅDFRI from IKEA is updated with LED technology and can be used with an IKEA wireless dimmer, which is sold separately. Not bad for a last-minute addition to your blue bag.
The wood-and-steel open staircase wends its way up three stories, supported by a concrete structural wall embedded with PVC tubes and bare lightbulbs. Read more about this 21st-century Argentine home here.
The wood-and-steel open staircase wends its way up three stories, supported by a concrete structural wall embedded with PVC tubes and bare lightbulbs. Read more about this 21st-century Argentine home here.
Completed units await boxing. Incandescent bulbs once produced the iconic blue glow. Now it comes courtesy of LEDs calibrated to the original hue. McIntosh will service any of its machines, no matter how old. Lightbulb replacement, of all things, is the most common repair.
Completed units await boxing. Incandescent bulbs once produced the iconic blue glow. Now it comes courtesy of LEDs calibrated to the original hue. McIntosh will service any of its machines, no matter how old. Lightbulb replacement, of all things, is the most common repair.
Michael Taylor of Canton, Georgia, submitted the idea for the Tapt light switch. It features two buttons: a traditional on/off control and one that can be programmed to do any action, say, dim a bulb or turn all the connected lights in your house on. When smart bulbs are turned off by traditional switches, connectivity is lost. Not so with Tapt. Additionally, there's no need for a separate dimmer. Ben Kaufman, Quirky's founder and CEO, says that lightbulbs make up 40 percent of the products that Wink users control through the app. "Lightbulbs are the gateway to the connected home," he says. Over 100,000 people have started to use Wink since the app launched 126 days ago.
Michael Taylor of Canton, Georgia, submitted the idea for the Tapt light switch. It features two buttons: a traditional on/off control and one that can be programmed to do any action, say, dim a bulb or turn all the connected lights in your house on. When smart bulbs are turned off by traditional switches, connectivity is lost. Not so with Tapt. Additionally, there's no need for a separate dimmer. Ben Kaufman, Quirky's founder and CEO, says that lightbulbs make up 40 percent of the products that Wink users control through the app. "Lightbulbs are the gateway to the connected home," he says. Over 100,000 people have started to use Wink since the app launched 126 days ago.
Sarah Pease (Rhode Island School of Design), T12 Light, 2011. The T12 light is a shining example of simple, premade materials deployed in an elegant fashion. The black walnut and aluminum base supports an industrial, U-shaped fluorescent lightbulb, set off by a braided fabric cord.
Sarah Pease (Rhode Island School of Design), T12 Light, 2011. The T12 light is a shining example of simple, premade materials deployed in an elegant fashion. The black walnut and aluminum base supports an industrial, U-shaped fluorescent lightbulb, set off by a braided fabric cord.
Argentinean materials, a roiling economy, and a pinch of personal tumult served as the recipe for furniture designer Alejandro Sticotti’s Buenos Aires oasis. The wood-and-steel open staircase wends its way up three stories, supported by a concrete structural wall embedded with PVC tubes and bare lightbulbs. Photo by: Cristóbal Palma
Argentinean materials, a roiling economy, and a pinch of personal tumult served as the recipe for furniture designer Alejandro Sticotti’s Buenos Aires oasis. The wood-and-steel open staircase wends its way up three stories, supported by a concrete structural wall embedded with PVC tubes and bare lightbulbs. Photo by: Cristóbal Palma
Before plopping panels on your roof, consider other ways to conserve electricity, like switching to CFL or LED lightbulbs and replacing inefficient electrical appliances like old refrigerators. “Conservation is the leanest means to reducing electrical use and fossil-fuel consumption,” Moore says. “PV panels require a lot of energy to produce, ship, install, and dispose of.”
Before plopping panels on your roof, consider other ways to conserve electricity, like switching to CFL or LED lightbulbs and replacing inefficient electrical appliances like old refrigerators. “Conservation is the leanest means to reducing electrical use and fossil-fuel consumption,” Moore says. “PV panels require a lot of energy to produce, ship, install, and dispose of.”
The varied capabilities of each small sensor are what make Notion unusual. A single pod, about the size of a stereo’s volume knob, can measure a change in room temperature, the acceleration of an opening door, or the illumination from a lightbulb left on. Sensors have a Piezoelectric transducer, which measures frequency—Notion's example is that you can stick it to a propane tank and know how much volume it has left.
The varied capabilities of each small sensor are what make Notion unusual. A single pod, about the size of a stereo’s volume knob, can measure a change in room temperature, the acceleration of an opening door, or the illumination from a lightbulb left on. Sensors have a Piezoelectric transducer, which measures frequency—Notion's example is that you can stick it to a propane tank and know how much volume it has left.
It was originally a balcony, which one of the partners wanted to make to her partner's office. “I would find my partner standing on the balcony there, staring out, and I thought, It has to be used in a better way.” She had the lightbulb idea: “She´s like, ‘he should have a conference call here and be able to look straight out and see the beautiful skies and palm trees of Miami Beach.’
It was originally a balcony, which one of the partners wanted to make to her partner's office. “I would find my partner standing on the balcony there, staring out, and I thought, It has to be used in a better way.” She had the lightbulb idea: “She´s like, ‘he should have a conference call here and be able to look straight out and see the beautiful skies and palm trees of Miami Beach.’
The steel-framed structures weren't built for overnight stays, but they could theoretically accommodate a full-time resident. Between the two structures, a resident artist has access to a pair of desks (which can fold together to form a bed), a toilet, and small sink fed by built-in rainwater collection. Solar panels atop the roof generate enough electricty for a lightbulb and laptop. "They are really quite big," says Knight. "The artists have a nice amount of space to work."
The steel-framed structures weren't built for overnight stays, but they could theoretically accommodate a full-time resident. Between the two structures, a resident artist has access to a pair of desks (which can fold together to form a bed), a toilet, and small sink fed by built-in rainwater collection. Solar panels atop the roof generate enough electricty for a lightbulb and laptop. "They are really quite big," says Knight. "The artists have a nice amount of space to work."
For Facebook's Menlo Park, California headquarters' mess hall, the pair describes their ethos as "a combination of their parents’ ’60s rebellion and their grandparents’ Depression-era rigor and hard work." Both expressing an interest in "anti-design," the designers focused on stripping things down to their essence. As Stephen describes, “With the Facebook guys we shared an interest in all things analog—the reliability of it, the common sense of it, the simplicity of it.” To recreate a camp-like atmosphere, the ceiling was deconstructed, framing exposed, and slick black tables and bar level booths filled the space, along with exposed lightbulbs and exposed rivets.
For Facebook's Menlo Park, California headquarters' mess hall, the pair describes their ethos as "a combination of their parents’ ’60s rebellion and their grandparents’ Depression-era rigor and hard work." Both expressing an interest in "anti-design," the designers focused on stripping things down to their essence. As Stephen describes, “With the Facebook guys we shared an interest in all things analog—the reliability of it, the common sense of it, the simplicity of it.” To recreate a camp-like atmosphere, the ceiling was deconstructed, framing exposed, and slick black tables and bar level booths filled the space, along with exposed lightbulbs and exposed rivets.
The glass room, soon used as an office, was designed as a generous yet understated place to enjoy impeccable views of the downstairs living room and out of the high windows, capturing the golden hour and sunset, beautifully. It was originally a balcony, which one of the partners wanted to make to her partner's office. “I would find my partner standing on the balcony there, staring out, and I thought, It has to be used in a better way.” She had the lightbulb idea: “She´s like, ‘I want to stand and have a conference call here and be able to look straight out and see the beautiful skies and palm trees of Miami Beach.’
The glass room, soon used as an office, was designed as a generous yet understated place to enjoy impeccable views of the downstairs living room and out of the high windows, capturing the golden hour and sunset, beautifully. It was originally a balcony, which one of the partners wanted to make to her partner's office. “I would find my partner standing on the balcony there, staring out, and I thought, It has to be used in a better way.” She had the lightbulb idea: “She´s like, ‘I want to stand and have a conference call here and be able to look straight out and see the beautiful skies and palm trees of Miami Beach.’
In 1963 the president of Duke University, Douglas M. Knight, approached Alden B. Dow with a request for a home. Completed in 1966, the low-slung home is nestled into the edge of a beautiful forest in Durham, North Carolina. It is made of natural materials with glass walls opening to porches that cantilever out over the woods. Among Mr. Dow’s personal papers in the Archives is a letter he wrote in 1975 in response to a request for information about the house from two Duke University students. In it he mentions some of the things that give the building its character: “First of all, there is an entrance door that is complex enough to attract your attention and it opens into a fair-size hall. Both the host and visitors enjoy this first contact as well as the last, so this hall way is large enough to accommodate graceful meetings for a few people.” “This house developed largely from the building site – the top of a hill on the living room side looking down into a heavily wooded valley. Family quarters are on one end; a study and guest rooms on the other. Spaces are not simple and understood at the first glance.” “The dining room is lighted by several small lightbulbs held in a frame that is hung from the ceiling over the table. The many sources of light make all the tableware glisten.” Mr. Dow summed up both the house and his philosophy at the end of his letter when he wrote, “Facts and feelings designed and built this house and I am sure if you visited the house itself, you might better understand why it is the way it is.”
In 1963 the president of Duke University, Douglas M. Knight, approached Alden B. Dow with a request for a home. Completed in 1966, the low-slung home is nestled into the edge of a beautiful forest in Durham, North Carolina. It is made of natural materials with glass walls opening to porches that cantilever out over the woods. Among Mr. Dow’s personal papers in the Archives is a letter he wrote in 1975 in response to a request for information about the house from two Duke University students. In it he mentions some of the things that give the building its character: “First of all, there is an entrance door that is complex enough to attract your attention and it opens into a fair-size hall. Both the host and visitors enjoy this first contact as well as the last, so this hall way is large enough to accommodate graceful meetings for a few people.” “This house developed largely from the building site – the top of a hill on the living room side looking down into a heavily wooded valley. Family quarters are on one end; a study and guest rooms on the other. Spaces are not simple and understood at the first glance.” “The dining room is lighted by several small lightbulbs held in a frame that is hung from the ceiling over the table. The many sources of light make all the tableware glisten.” Mr. Dow summed up both the house and his philosophy at the end of his letter when he wrote, “Facts and feelings designed and built this house and I am sure if you visited the house itself, you might better understand why it is the way it is.”

4 more photos