Ok, Now Back to Work!
by habituallychic
05 . 02 . 08
I’ve been doing some research recently for a new apartment project that I am about to undertake on my own, more about that next week, and I’ve noticed an interesting lighting trend that I am starting to appreciate. It involves lamps that I used to consider strictly desk lamps beside the bed and as living room table lamps. One example is the Equilibrium Table Lamp from Ralph Lauren that looks right at home in the bedroom designed by David Lawrence above.
I’m not sure the source of this particular lamp but it is another great option that David Lawrence has used in the bedroom above and the living room below. 
A more reasonably priced alternative is the Studio Angle Draftsman’s Lamp. 
Of course, by now you know that David Lawrence used to work for Bruce Bierman, who I currently work for and it was in Bruce’s work above and elsewhere that I first noticed this trend.
Another fan of the Ralph Lauren Equilibrium Table Lamp seems to be my friend David Jimenez who uses it in the masculine bedroom above and the two living rooms below. 
I can’t decide if it is just a coincidence that I’ve noticed these types of lamps used by male designers. I wonder if women would find these types of lamps appealing in their spaces. 
Designer Ron Marvin uses a smaller version on his bedside table.
Even S. Russell Groves uses one on a console table. Makes me think again that decorating rules are meant to be broken now and then and to great effect. What do you think?
22 Comments
I think they are very sculptural, which gives them interest. But, they are also very clinical and hard edged, so perhaps this is why men designers have primarily used them.
I love this look, especially in the bedroom. It beats having a standard lamp – if you read a lot in bed like I do, they are so versatile. I’ve been thinking about this as an alternative for my place.
I think they look great, And they allow you to put more art above the nightstand w/o a traditional lampshade blocking it. But I wonder how glaring they are when you are actually in the bed trying to read? I wouldn’t want a direct light source like that right near my eyes right before I was getting ready to sleep, I think it would kind of wake me up. Also I am absolutely positive I would bang my head on it on a regular basis.
I love those lamps (and I’m a woman). The ones here are very swanky-chic — I tend to like them a bit more messed up and industrial.
It’s all about the mix …
I think they all looks great and I have something similar (not very expencive to tell you the truth ) in my office. It’s clear and energetic..I don’t konw if you can understand my feelings.
Well very good research indeed …a great professionist you are darling! 🙂
Silvia
I’m a young woman and in addition to using a drafting lamp on my desk, I use one on a console in the hall. At one point I had a similar set-up to the Ron Marvin photo on my bedside table — right down to the very same alarm clock!
I think whatever your gender, mixing industrial and organic, especially with both antique and modern pieces, is always an interesting combo.
one of my-life long favorites has been the tizio lamp- i love a pair used by the bed.
I definatley would!
I have these type of lamps in my studio on my drafting table which is more typical but also in my bedroom. I liked the idea but if the finish can vary with the style of the room, I think they could be more appealing. The silvery, industrial look doesn’t always fit.
love them all! not afraid of a masculine light… nor an industrial one! great post- beautiful images!
I love the look (and I’m a woman), but I found the question about whether this look appeals more to men interesting because my husband always likes the look of drafting or desk lamps more than regular lamps. Huh.
The lamp that you like in the David Lawrence room (and I do too but it’s way out of my price range) is by E. Bucquet from the 20s and retails for about $1000 US. There is a knockoff from Visual Comfort available through Restoration Hardware, but it’s clunky and not as nicely proportioned as the real thing. If you start looking for it, you’ll see it everywhere – including in Tonne Goodman’s townhouse that you posted months ago.:) She had them in her bedroom.
Best
Mitsouko
I love it! Great for those of us who like to read in bed.
Male here. I love it, but although I have 1400 sq. ft. (I live in Chicago), I’m not sure the proportions would work in my space. But then again, I’m not a designer.
BTW, congrats on your 1st Dibs interview. It’s my porn; I do a somewhat regular “today at 1st dibs” feature on my blog, strangeclosets.com. It’s a great way to educate myself and avoid real work.
T8
http://www.strangeclosets.com
Pauline de Rothschild used the same type desk lamps by her bed in her famous bedroom at Mouton. Very practical, and to my eye, contrasted with the antique wallpaper panels and the amazing four poster bed, very chic.
There are no decorating rules; there is only decorating. Rules are for schools, not for creative types.
What I meant to add was this: If it looks good, it is good. And rules be damned.
I think those lamps are alright, not my thing. But I do love the couch in the 3rd photo down.
These lamps used in the BR have become classic (replacing wall mount swing arm lamps). Don’t kill me, but I think Pottery Barn has this type of lamp at a good price (and has used them this way in their catalog). As ever, thanks for all the great photos!
Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions! I think these lamps are great in a bedroom especially if you rent and don’t want to see a cord hanging down the wall from a wall mounted swing arm lamp, or if you can’t do construction to hide the cord.
I was actually looking at the Pottery Barn brass version for my client’s bedroom. I’ll keep you posted as to what I decide.
Oh, and thanks to Mitsouko for letting me know that E. Bucquet was the original source for the other lamp!
I think they are a great idea. Personally, I’ve never found a lamp that was the right height for me to read by while in bed. Light is forever glaring off the inside of my glasses. A draughtsman’s light might solve the problem.
My pleasure. As a renter, I keep thinking I can rationalize the e. bucquet lamp because I’m not committing to superpricey furniture right now. Your gorgeous assortment of photos may push me over the edge.
Keep up the good work. Love the blog and congrats on 1stdibs…
Mitsouko