'Nort' side table by the Valencian Estudio Estres

We’re currently in the beautiful, sun-drenched city of Valencia at Feria Hábitat Valencia 2011 - an annual design fair, which this year attracted some 950 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. And while the industry heavyweights present their relatively recent products from across the furniture, lighting and textile sectors, an impressive number of 40 recent graduates and young, up-and-coming design practices, showcase their talent with an array of innovative, at times surprising, products and prototypes at the coinciding nude (Nuevo Diseño Español) exhibition.

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'Morgana' pendant light by Stefano Papi for Slamp

The Italian industrial designer and Slamp‘s long-time collaborator Stefano Papi has realised this intricate pendant light which was presented earlier this year during Milan’s international lighting fair Euroluce. Inspired by Michelangelo’s starburst paving pattern adorning the Roman Piazza del Campidoglio, the polycarbonate ’Morgana‘ lampshade ‘magically’ dangles midair thanks to the invisible wire and the design is available in four colourways: black, white, orange and blue. (more…)

'Tree' table lamp by Estudi Ribaudí for Faro (ES)

Estudi Ribaudí, the Spanish design studio led by Jordi Ribaudí has recently realised this collection of curiously detailed table, floor and pendant lamps for the Catalan manufacturer Faro. Called ‘Tree’, the black-and-white series ‘was created from the interaction between humans and their natural environment to offer harmony and light.’ (more…)

'Punch light' by Reinhard Dienes

The young German designer Reinhard Dienes has recently unveiled this series of curiously-detailed stainless steel lamps called ‘Punch’. The design, which can be used either as a pendant or a table light, is characterised by the unusual punched-through diffuser suspended from an angular, powder-coated steel structure. (more…)

'Chouchin' pendant light by Ionna Vautrin for Foscarini (IT)

Following her previous design for Foscarini, the young French designer Ionna Vautrin has recently created this elegant, glossy pendant light called ‘Chouchin’. Taking its name from the traditional Japanese paper lantern, the design is Vautrin’s contemporary reinterpretation of this ‘ethereal, poetic and almost magical object’. The lamp is available in three various sizes, each of them in a different earthy hue: orange, grey or olive green, and its modern form has been ‘obtained through a single blowing process.’ (more…)

'Fisherman' pendant lights by Mattias Ståhlbom for Zero; photo by Jonas Lindström & TAF

Now that’s what we call a catch! Inspired by the traditional glass fishing floats used by the fishermen around the world since mid-19th century, the Swedish designer and architect Mattias Ståhlbom of Stockholm’s TAF studio has created this series of subtle pendant lights for the Swedish lighting specialists, Zero. (more…)

‘U336′ pendant light by Jørn Utzon re-released by Artek

The classic ‘U336′ pendant light designed more than half a century ago by the Pritzker Prize-winning Danish architect Jørn Utzon has been re-released by the famous Finnish manufacturer Artek. The neutral white finish and shell-like structure of this 1957 lamp echo Utzon’s most famous project he designed in the same year, the Sydney Opera House. (more…)

'Clinker' pendant light by Rich Brilliant Willing for Innermost

The New York-based multidisciplinary design studio Rich Brilliant Willing whose name derives from the beginning syllables of its three founders’ names: Theo Richardson, Charles Brill and Alexander Williams, created the ‘Clinker’ pendant light for the British label Innermost. The wood-and-glass design follows the circular ‘Clinker’ coffee table RBW created for the same manufacturer in 2009 and the lamp was on view during this year’s Milan Salone del Mobile. (more…)