UTREM LUX: Recycled Lighting

UTREM LUX is a series of lamps designed by DeGross Design & Innovation, a design studio based in London. DeGross Design & Innovation focuses on products that are both sustainable and cost-effective.

They created these lamps from reused glass bottles that had been discarded behind their studio alone with wood offcuts donated by their next-door neighbours ‘W. Hanson wood merchants’.

Each lamp is unique and has been made by hand. UTREM LUX will be launched at this year’s Designersblock in the Southbank centre as a part of the London Design Festival this September 2012.

Here is a quasi-instructional video showing how the lamps were made.

Filmed and edited by Alexander Duffner
In collaboration with Avi Aloni and Mor Bakal

Kush Interiors

Kush Interiors is a vintage furniture shop on Holloway Road in London, specialising in mid century modern furniture and African art. The shop is full of interesting and beautifully made pieces crammed together in the cosy small space.

The owner, George Sharman, describes himself as a design archeologist. He finds classic old objects and restores and reworks them, giving them a new lease of life.

After refurbishing them to a high standard he displays them for sale among the wide range of objects in his shop.

Going into Kush Interiors is like going into a cave of hidden treasures, while the shop looks tiny from the outside it extends much further than expected revealing a huge collection of lamps, art and furniture.

The large variety of mid century modern furniture is complemented by African art and traditional masks.

African mask Kush Interiors

George doesn’t focus on fads or fashion but rather concentrates on timeless classic pieces making his furniture perfect for those who want long lasting quality and style.

Vintage Furniture in Islington

Islington is home to numerous vintage shops and stalls. I love to stroll down Camden Passage at the weekend and search through the little shops and antique dealers for a unique piece or a bargain. However Camden Passage is not the only place you can find vintage furniture in Islington. Walking along Essex Road past the Criterion Auction House you come to a more contemporary furniture shop.

Fandango has been based in Islington for the last 15 years, sourcing 20th century retro furniture and working with interiors designers.

The shop is a triangular shape and the small space is crammed with furniture, lights and mirrors. I wait outside on a blue bench made of metal piping. As I wait to take a peek inside I am joined by others waiting to take a browse around, I’m glad it’s a nice and sunny.

After some people come out of the shop I finally get to speak to the owner, John, who tells me how he got into the furniture business. John started collecting pieces for his own house, going to car boot sales and flea markets. While travelling in continental Europe he discovered his love for vintage 20th century design.

Since 2009 Fandango has also been representing the East London Art Collective Chish & Fips and their Neon Works.

So when you are next in Islington it may be worth treading off the beaten track onto Essex Road to have a look at what you can find.

Chandeliers from the Cape Peninsula

While visiting South Africa I came across some beautiful art and design projects, I was particularly struck by the chandeliers created by Riaan Chambers.

He produces unique, innovative and beautiful chandeliers fashioned from recycled glass, crystals, shells, horn and any object that takes his fancy.

The style ranges from Romantic to the ultra chic and I am amazed by the sheer volume of his work.

The variety is also enormous. Some incorporate vibrant colours lit up in the form of a long dangling glass chandelier, while others are more elegant and minimalist with a simple white finish.

There are also numerous smaller mobile pieces that incorporate shells and other organic materials.

Others are a combination, but the different shapes and sizes allows his work to fit into very different surroundings according to the particular style.

He predominantly uses recycled materials such as glass taken from old windscreens.

These magnificent pieces have a strong effect on their surroundings, setting the mood for a space. Their impact can often be somewhat overwhelming.

The colours and the materials combined with the size makes his work very impressive.

His chandeliers are displayed in commercial buildings, restaurants, hotels, as well as in residential properties.

Chandeliers in Modern Interiors

Chandeliers are often associated with grand old mansions or palaces, beautiful big contraptions lighting up grand halls from high ceilings. With a bit of DIY or accessorising this kind of lighting can make even the tiniest flat sparkle. New designers have taken a modern spin on this traditional way of lighting.

Colours, beads, wires, old clocks and buttons are some of the a features making up these magnificent ceiling lamps. The diversity in style and design makes these features perfect for homes or businesses whatever the size.

Azimut is an Italian company specialising in design of chandeliers based in the hills of Montespertoli, near Florence. Raffaello Nebbiai and Alessandra Antonini design and produce ceiling lamps sconces in special, unique shapes. Beads and colourful glass and crystal decorate these stunning structures. Combined with high quality craftsmanship combining tradition with playful modern styles.

The experimental nature of their creations allows these chandeliers to be works of art as well as having a primary function. The pieces are designed as unique handcrafted chandeliers and are tailored to customers needs. They are a quirky way of decorating spaces and bring vibrant colours to a room giving it plenty of character and setting a great atmosphere.