Finding the perfect floor lamp isn't always easy, but when you do, it can make a major style impact. Need some extra shine in your space? Get your glow on with these functional but design-savvy floor lamps. Rustic, traditional, retro, glamorous — we've found a variety of versatile, modern options to help you light up your home in a chic way.
February has a reputation as a bit of a dreary month, what with the melting snow, short days, and seemingly endless Winter. Luckily, we have plenty of ideas for countering the gloom. From fun letterpress Valentine's Day cards to colorful hotel rooms and great new home decor pieces, see what catches your eye in this month's must haves.
Photographs are an easy and versatile way to decorate any home, but your decorating inspiration doesn't have to be limited to the pictures themselves. The cameras, lights, tripods, and film used to produce those photos make for equally beautiful decor!
If you've got the photography bug too, first invest in a vintage-style camera (bonus points if you learn how to use it) and display it proudly. Then augment your shutterbug display with a photographer's floor lamp ($649), adorn your coffee table with a set of vintage camera coasters ($60), and keep your pencils in sharp focus with a camera pencil sharpener ($14). Need more lens love in your life? Shop the rest of the items above!
I spotted these handmade light fixtures in Miette, an apparel and accessories boutique in New Orleans. Seeing me not-so-discreetly snap away with my DSLR, the shopkeeper told me that people often comment on them, and they either love 'em or hate 'em. I'm leaning toward love; it's a great reuse of burnt-out lightbulbs, and they're affordable and eye-catching. But they clearly wouldn't work in every interior. How do you stand?
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I've been focusing on decorating my living room lately and striking a few things off my wish list. One purchase I've been considering is a photographer-style tripod floor lamp. I do have a nice floor lamp right now, but I'm looking for something with a more interesting, statement-making shape. So I think it's just the thing.
The only trouble is most of those that I've come across are a major investment. Ethan Allen's Retro Photographer Floor Lamp ($600) rings up at a medium price point, but I've seen others for as much as $2,100. Ebay seems to be a good resource for lower-priced lamps around $130 or so. But of course, you get what you pay for, and these might be lacking in terms of quality.
In the market for one of these photo-friendly lamps? I've rounded up a few for you below. Tell me in the comments which is your favorite!
Milan-based design firm Studio Klass designed this Sleepy Lamp for Italian home furnishings company Busso. It doesn't appear to be available yet, but I simply must get my hands on it! Described by the designers as a "sleepy lamp that can’t help resting, creating a quiet and relaxing atmosphere around it," the lamp gets its name from its laid-back posture, leaning against the wall much like Roberto Cárdenas' Corner Lamp. What attracts me, though, isn't its stance but its ladder-shaped base! Whether you use it to dry your delicates or to store your library, a floor lamp that also doubles as a storage is a wonderfully clever option for small-space dwellers. It's also just beautiful, delicate, quiet, and contemporary. Must. Have.
Whenever I fly Virgin America, I can't wait to board and step into the hazy glow of the plane's purple lights — the lighting equivalent of an Ambien — close my eyes, and dream my way to my destination. Well now, thanks to Philips LivingColors LED Lamp ($199), which the brand sent me to review, I can enjoy ambient, colored lighting without the hassle of airport security.
The small floor or table lamp has a bulbous shape much like my groovy, modern globe lamp, and is available with a transparent, white, or black exterior. I received the clear base, which almost looks like a speaker.
The lamp plugs into a standard outlet, and comes with a cute little remote control with a color dial. As you run your finger around the intuitive touch dial, you make your choice of any literally color on the color spectrum. Beyond that, four little buttons allow you to create deeper or softer saturation, and brighter or darker light intensity. These controls combined allow you to take your pick of 16 million different color choices — as many colors as a 24-bit RGB computer monitor can simulate.
So those are the specs, want to hear what I really think of it?
Want to create a little drama with your lighting? Forego the sparkly chandeliers in favor of something a little more masculine and grounded. With three sturdy legs, tripod lamps will withstand knocks and bumps with aplomb. Check out some of my favorites below.
In last night's episode of Modern Family, Benjamin Bratt guest stars as Manny's biological father. While he and Manny's stepdad, Jay, played a round of pool, I couldn't help but ogle at the lamp behind Bratt's shoulder. (OK, I was also ogling Benjamin Bratt a little, but can you blame me?) Still, that floor lamp was pretty distracting, with its multiple turned wood curves and sleek black finish.
To find out where you can get the lamp, read more
I'm looking to add a little height to my living room and I'm on a white kick, so the CB2 Stage Floor Lamp ($99.95, reduced from $149) might just be the thing. It puts a cartoonish spin on the traditional stage light, making it a great conversation piece. The lamp is a bit tongue-in-cheek, which I love; people should be more light-hearted about their furnishings. I'm also pretty keen on the price: it's hard to find a floor lamp with flair for anywhere near $100. What do you think?
