Light is something that we take for granted. We expect it to be there for us during the nighttime hours and in dark buildings. Rarely, if ever, do we consider the comfort of lighting as it affects our senses? This is where those much-hated math classes come into play.
Illuminance target values, uniformity ratios, and allowable variances are a few of the complex and often confusing aspects of the simple subject of lighting. So the next time you turn on your modern Italian lighting switch considers the critical planning and implementation of lamps and illumination.
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Italian Lighting Designers
If you are considering an Italian design for your home, begin with consulting an Italian lighting designer. Your architect or decorator may already have this covered, but it never hurts to verify.
There are many prominent lighting manufacturers in the Italian furniture industry that have taken modern lighting to a new level. By discovering more about their specialties and projects, you will see the importance of lighting in your decorating needs.
Gio Ponti
Gio Ponti left quite a mark on the Italian architecture and design community. His contribution to the history of design did not cease when he died in 1979. Lighting was an important part of his creative achievements, which live on today.
From hand-blown glass chandeliers with Swarovski crystals to aluminum floor lamps, color and shapes like a gold leaf were his main focus. These exciting pieces continue to complement the Italian contemporary style. Fontana Arte produces Ponti’s most popular ideas in Italian modern lamps.
The 0024 Suspension is a hanging light that uses a tubular sandblasted white glass diffuser within a brass frame. They display transparent tempered glass discs in a beehive shape for an interesting modern flair. Through Fontana Arte, this is one of Ponti’s most popular pieces.
Martinelli Luce
If ever there was a way to see light in motion, Martinelli Luce has made it happen. He is an expert in the visualization, calculation, and design of lighting. The idea is to experience products of light through augmented reality for a ‘real world’ sensation.
Yes, that is a mouthful, but the result is a technology that lets you experience the effect of Luce’s products even before the project is complete. This makes his creations empowering to an interior setting. Clients can see contemporary design in the real world.
The 1285/US Marx is a wall light that brings Italian creativity to its peak with curved stainless steel, light wood, and 1400lm through a 15W E26 bulb. This sweet wall light can standalone in a dining room or any modern living space. Most of his modern pieces sport this ability.
Max Ingrand
Ceiling lamps made by Max Ingrand bring the history of European lighting to the forefront of modern and Mid-Century styles. His passion was for Murano glass, which is found in many stained-glass windows in cathedrals. His company, Verre Lumière, was one of the first to produce halogen light in 1968.
The spectacular Dahlia Chandelier is an example of Ingrand’s unique work of natural materials that brings festive contemporary lighting to Italian home decor. One true design classic, the Fontana table lamp with glass shade, remains a bestseller through Fontana Arte. Ingrand was the artistic director of this prominent company for a decade.
Gaetano Sciolari
Mid-century Modern light fixtures were the brainchild of Gaetano Sciolari in the 1950s. It was little wonder that Sciolari became a stunning designer. His family had been producing lighting fixtures since 1892. Clear glass held in a metal frame and a ceiling light of glass cylinders introduced a new futuristic design in modern Italian illumination.
Italian table lamps that match elegant chandeliers create a balanced look with both incandescent lighting and style. Look for originally made lighting by Sciolari to offset your Italian Mid-century home design. A century lighting look mixed with today’s contemporary decor makes the wonderful collection of handmade pieces an incredible sight.
Karim Rashid
Axo Light is a company, during its launch in 1996, welcomed Karim Rashid as a designer. Born in Egypt in 1960, he quickly became familiar with the contemporary art of design. The pendant lamp and wall lamps are his symbols of how modern homes can be a beauty of inspiring things.
Kobble wall lights are a great example of how Rashid has captured the look of unique pieces with soft-white truer colors. Bedrooms can be dim in corners but subtly come to life with Rashid wall lights. Murano glass vases by Paolo Venini will sparkle and luscious pottery by Jonathan Adler will add just the right texture to your modern Italian room.
We hear a lot about Murano glass, but what is it? Murano is an island close to Venice. It is also a glassblowing process that started over a thousand years ago. Made from silica, soda, potassium, and lime, it can also contain minerals like gold and sterling silver.
There is no commercial dye used in making colored Murano glass. However, cobalt, zinc, or manganese is used to bring a magnificent color. The art of glassblowing is a specialized field and with the swirls and shapes in each piece, there is none with such an artistic value.
If you question whether it is the quality of light or the Murano glass that instills such beauty in a light fixture, it is a little of both. Very little has changed in the tools and the method of Murano glassblowing since the Middle Ages. However, the improvement of lighting continues to grow and has a positive effect on art.
A modern Italian floor lamp will add soothing tones to the decor and sustainable light. If you are looking for a pendant light that compliments New York modern decor, look at the newest creations by Rashid.
Gino Sarfatti
The founder of Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti, was a talented light and lamp designer from Griante, Como, Italy. His lighting projects in public buildings left him with many international awards. Best known in residential for his ability to create light for an entire room and targeted illumination to write.
Table lamps, floor lamps, and artful floating chandeliers are still in production and make a grand statement with modern Italian decor. There are many styles to choose from in Sarfatti’s collection. Space age handing lights, the 60s colorful lamps, Mid-century Murano glass chandeliers, and unique black metal ceiling light are a few of his playful designs with light.
Outdoor Designer Italian Lights
Outdoor lighting differs greatly from interior lighting. Because the eyes register scotopic vision (dark conditions) instead of photopic vision (daylight conditions), the light level and brightness require adjustment.
According to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), lighting design considerations are based on the perception of luminance, not the actual brightness. Furniture, like outdoor chaises and outdoor dining tables, requires a different spectral mix for visual comfort.
Italian lighting experts, like Marc Sadler, understand the materials, technical details, and lamination qualities required for making an aesthetic statement on an outdoor patio or walkway. Made of aluminum and concrete, the Aplomb is a sporty model of light for festivities and outdoor activities.
The list of spectacular Italian lighting artists goes on and on. Many noteworthy lighting companies began their reputation with Italian designers. Danese Milano features light fixtures and various art pieces from well-known artists.
AV Mazzega revives Murano glass sculptures with today’s modern design. Every piece of glass is hand-crafted in their signature table lamps. The style of stilnovo is yet another glorious example of a place to shop for one-of-a-kind Italian lighting and art pieces. It proves that retro is never out of style, just rearranged for a new look.
Artificial illumination has technically advanced since the light bulb. Sources now include incandescent, fluorescent, HID, fiber optics, cold cathode, and LEDs. Light fixtures can bring a more purposeful value to homes. Beauty and craftsmanship are more important than ever in achieving overall beauty.
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Karen Gillan, Senior Writer
Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal.
