Lose Yourself To Light
Fifty Shades of Grey, one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, opened at cinemas around the world in February. An adaptation of the bestselling book and global phenomenon by E L James, the film tells the story of a love affair between a shy Anastasia and the older, more experienced Christian Grey.
Asked to furnish the set of Grey’s penthouse apartment - bringing to life his extravagant ways and millionaire tastes - were Covet Lounge partners Boca do Lobo, Brabbu, Delightfull and Koket, with all pieces matching perfectly, the story’s nature, each lighting piece was carefully selected to fit its designated environment, from bold and avant-garde, to organic and feminine, aiming to mirror the film and brands’ common qualities. The set’s space holds a strong contemporary design influence while referencing organic and feminine shapes - the idiosyncratic combination is believed to ensure a timeless and unique décor.
Just some of the decorative lighting features employed to bring Grey’s apartment to life include DelightFull’s Ike floor lamp - from the Vintage collection - characterised by the rhythmic composition of its elements, reduced shapes, clean lines and lots of black; Brabbu’s Vellum wall lights, composed of hammered glass, and Koket’s Hypnotic chandellier, which intricately coils and bends in golden spirals, weaving itself elaborately within the sharp polished lines of the hexagonal silhouette, are just some of the decorative lighting features employed to bring Grey’s apartment to life.
Also from DelightFull, handmade lighting pieces struck a chord with Fifty Shades’ set decorator, chosen for their unique design that reinvent fresh classics with an added twist. Luxury lighting pieces such as the Coltrane table lamp, created by John Coltrane; and the Turner table lamp, with its art deco shape and inspired by Tina Turner’s dance moves. Other products that can be seen throughout the film from the brand include the Meola and Amy table lamps, the Galliano wall fixture, and the Evan floor lamp.
From Koket, exclusive pieces from the Guilty Pleasure collection, designed by the brand’s Creative Director and Founder Janet Morais, transformed the set into lustful scenes. Taking its brilliance from the skilful application of crystal, the Koket Eternity chandelier works together with the playful Kolet Chloe sconce, casting a sultry glow upon Mr Grey’s flat. While the Vivre sconce, offering strong vintage details combined with a decidedly modern profile gives a strong and captivating light flow over the bench in the room.
Commenting on the use of Koket products on set, Morais said: “My passion and mission with Koket is to create highly desirable empowering statement pieces. The essence of my pieces dreamily complements the film’s aura of desire, passion and power. Although I never thought my collection would be powerful enough to grace the set of Fifty Shades of Grey, our inclusion has revealed the influence of exceptional design.”
Suburban Berlin
JOI-Design has recently completed the reconstruction and design of a the new VIP lounge at the O2 World Berlin, a concert venue and sports arena in the east of the city.
With subtle allusions to the clandestine allure of an exclusive members club in Berlin’s 1920s heyday, the Diamond Ball Room is comprised of four compact private stadium boxes that were merged to create an entertainment hub for as many as 72 guests.
Comprised of warm hues of gold, platinum, cognac and ebony, when overhead illumination levels are lowered in the room, high-contrast lighting accents amplify the drama and excitement of the interior design.
The room can be divided into two areas with their own entrances. Screened from each other by a black velvet curtain, the halves – dubbed Vodka and Champagne – feature different design elements that form individual identities for each area yet also harmonise for when they are joined together. In the Vodka side, pendant lights specified by JOI-Design shimmer above the bar suggesting the cuboid shape of ice cubes as they clink in a cocktail glass. Manufactured by 2F Hotellicht the wired lamp shades that surrond some of the fixtures are highlighted with a decorative Edison light bulb.
In the Champagne side, iridescent golden accents, glittering lights and soft curved forms recall the tingling effervescence of sipping bubbly. The cut crystal pendant lights above the bar in the Champagne section were manufactured by Lee Broom with high quality crystal glass added with the golden bulb fitting to create a golden glow.
This duality extends through to the bar that is split into two parts. Recessed into the wall above each section’s back bar is a diagonally oriented composition of diamond-shaped bottle displays and cabinetry with mirrored and leather finishes. Backlighting, as well as yellow internal illumination, creates a theatrical, ethereal glow. The Vodka section is characterised by its strong angular form and leather fascia washed by recessed downlights. Suspended over the dark timber counter are modern pendant lights whose bent metallic wire frames transform them into glowing asymmetrical sculptures.
In this project the inspired specification of effective fixtures sympathetic to the interior design helps to cement an aura of glamorous style.
A-Ok Decor Design
Tucked away in an industrial building of Berlin, occupying the former space of a 1920’s cinema is ‘A Space’, a temporary showroom for Natulis Group. Designed by plajer & franz, the focal point of the space is an ‘A’ shaped lamp installation inspired by illuminated cinematic advertising from the twenties era.
An eye-catching space with convincing charm, ‘A Space’ is a fascinating symbiosis between industrial attributes and high-quality materials. With the space completely gutted, allowing for a blank canvas, the previous false ceiling has been removed to reveal a room with almost eight metres of ceiling height, referring back to its original cinematic use, while the walls have been stripped back to their raw, primary state exposing brickwork and traces of repair work from over the years.
A secondary lighting feature makes use of high-end design from Graypants and its Moon lampshades that are made from recycled cardboard boxes and hang down from the ceiling. Additional decorative elements come from Lightyears’ Carvaggio lampshade in black, while general ceiling lighting on the power rail is provided by Ansorg’s Bit BTC spotlights.
Serving as a space to present and sell lofts in the Arkona Courts, the design of the showroom had to correspond to its functional purpose and offer spacious presentation opportunities as well as lounge areas for client communication. While a city map of the area greets customers, a model of the building and floor plans on the walls give a visual idea of the apartments up for sale. Working with the lighting, seating furniture throughout is made of dark oiled standard industrial palettes covered with premium quality upholstery, while all tables are made of black steel. At the end of the room there is a small bar for snacks and drinks made from Aleppo pine, while five-metres of long thread curtains hang above the consultation islands serving as partitions throughout the space, and to ensure younger guests do not get bored, a kid’s corner awaits.
Joyce Wang
Swarovski crystal house has collaborated with acclaimed interior designer Joyce Wang on a lighting installation unveiled at Art Central and held during Art Basel Hong Kong from 14-16 March.
Incorporating Swarovski crystals in a visually and emotionally captivating piece that explores light and space, Oculus is inspired by an ancient Roman and Byzantine architecture feature that allowed the elements to enter through an opening in the dome.
Wang is known for her architectural approach to interior design, incorporating different materials into her work and transforming traditional elements into modern creations. While lighting design has always been an integral element in her work, this exciting collaboration with Swarovski has offered her the opportunity to redefine the traditional concept of the crystal chandelier.
“I am honoured to collaborate with Swarovski on this project which has allowed me to explore my passion for spatial and lighting design through an installation using crystals,” said Wang. “Lighting is the most important element within interior design and to have the opportunity to isolate it, explore it and capture it in this project has been truly rewarding.”
Just as the Oculus bridges the inside with the outside world, Wang has created a poetic installation in which refractions and reflections dance through space as light penetrates the crystalline inner structure of an egg-shaped silhouette. The simplicity of the design’s seamless exterior is juxtaposed with the striking shapes of 60 20cm crystal spikes and 300 crystal chatons within the structure, which emit an unexpected kaleidoscope of light.
Art Central is a new event in the Art Week calendar aiming to showcase the next generation of talent alongside established contemporary galleries and art spaces from around the globe. Timed to complement Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central firmly cements the city as one of the world’s leading art hubs.
Commenting on the collaboration Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, said: “We are delighted to partner with Art Central for its inaugural show, and to present Oculus by Joyce Wang, a young designer who is making a real impact through her mastery of light and space. Art Central is a welcome addition to the city’s amazingly vibrant art scene, providing a platform for some of the most exciting talents from Asia Pacific and beyond, and cementing Hong Kong Art Week’s reputation as a key destination on the international art calendar.”
The collaboration between Swarovski and Wang forms part of the crystal house’s ongoing programme of support for emerging talents in art and design. Offering a new perspective into the unique nature of light and space through the innovative use of Swarovski crystals, the installation will be enclosed in a specially designed circular structure.
POV Lounge & Terrace, US
Cocktails with a view will never be quite the same again with nemaworkshop’s versatile redesign of POV’s lounge and terrace. Indoors or outside, the views are endless.
With bars that transition seamlessly between indoor and outdoor, a 3,200 sq ft terrace and American pride beaming throughout, the W Washington D.C.’s newly renovated POV lounge and terrace invites guests to enjoy a cocktail atop the nation’s capital district.
Hotel group Starwood commissioned interior architecture and design studio nemaworkshop to draw inspiration from the rich history of D.C. and craft a playful narrative that speaks of the conversation between the capital’s iconic architecture, history and modern night-life scene.
Having worked on other W Hotel projects, nemaworkshop knew to focus on a concept narrative derived from historical, social and physical insights. They created versatile settings in which one can go comfortably on a date, in a large group, on business, or for the ultimate outdoor dining experience with a spectacular view.
With the indoor Dome bar, transitional VIP bar, and outdoor terrace POV bar, nemaworkshop created different areas from communal, to banquette spaces and seating nooks. In each of these spaces, the lighting was used as a means of story telling. POV is dowsed in gold, vintage marquee lighting with chandeliers from Danish company Fransden, and a back wall made of a few hundred brass dowels depicting three interpretations of presidential portraits fabricated by Gladstone Industries. Combined, these features depict the presidential wealth of the treasury building, all designed by nemaworkshop.
Another tribute to the history of D.C. is the lighting feature above the communal table, marking the date, 16 July 1970, in giant bold numbers that looks down over the table as guests dine. The numbers commemorate the approval of the Residence Act for the creation of the capital district.
Lastly, the Red Tape wall is an integral element in combining D.C. history with its contemporary significance. Created by artist Lady Aiko, who’s eclectic work is part of a current wave of global contemporary street art.
Each of these elements in the POV bar and terrace seamlessly deconstruct barriers between past and present, standing as a vibrant mark of achievement in history and design.
Light Forest
Light Forest is &tradition’s first collaboration with Dutch studio Ontwerpduo. It is a highly adaptable wall and ceiling lamp system that can be configured in multiple ways, and which can vary in expression from organic and whimsical, to geometric and austere.
Moresque
The new collection of pendant and table lamps by Alessandro Zambelli aims to capture the Moorish charm of the Alhambra. Clear lines and compact volumes are features of this collection of light fittings, the surfaces flaunt an array of bold colours.
Lean On Me
Form and function meet in the new table lamp, Lean on Me. Designed to sit snugly on a shelf to support your favourite books, its curved metal shapes reflect the light from the bulb. British and Nordic textile styles infuse lighting and glass with simplicity and a modern edge and depth of colour.
Contemporary Plane
Contemporary Plane by Tom Dixon, features a range of pendant, floor and table lights, including the Copper Shade and Mirror Ball. The range of lighting accessories includes an innovative pendant system to create a clustered lighting look and Megaman LED lamps. All of the designs are inspired by Britain’s unique heritage and are designed in London, made using unique processes and materials.
Studio Lamp
The dusty red STUDIO lamp reflects shades of raw iron and oxidised metals and is an exceptional fit to the industrial look and minimal silhouette of the design. Made from powder coated aluminium for a matt surface, STUDIO’s glass diffuser conceals the bulb, ensuring that a warm light is emitted from the lamp.
The Double Dine
Spanning nearly half a metre, this is an statement piece combining a contrasting walnut disk with six free-blown reflective bowls of glass. This eye-catching light is made to order using any combination from a range of 21 glass colours.
Firmament Collection
Available in both gold, silver and as a stand alone LED stainless steel floor lamp, the single fixtures can be placed together to create a cascade of light falling from the ceiling. Hand finished, the product is comprised of stainless steel with nickel.
