How to choose a design lamp that lasts
A design lamp is a decision you should not have to make twice. Here we walk through what we look at ourselves: the material and how it ages, the construction and whether it can be opened, the socket and how long you can keep changing the bulb, the measurements against the surface you actually have, and what happens the day something breaks.
80% OF A PRODUCT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IS DECIDED IN THE DESIGN PHASE
That applies to a lamp too. The choice of material, how the parts are joined and whether they can be separated again decides more than anything you can do afterwards.
Start with the material
Solid metal ages beautifully. Coated sheet metal does not. The BookLovers’ Light is made from recycled, polished brass, a material that gains patina rather than flaking. Brass is also profitable to recycle, which means the lamp still has value on the day it stops being a lamp.
Look at how it is put together
Screws beat glue. Our lamp assembles with an ordinary small screwdriver, the arm height is set by loosening a brass screw, and the bookends screw onto the base plate. Anything that screws together comes apart again, and can be repaired and rebuilt. Always ask a maker what happens if a part breaks. If you get no answer, that is an answer too.
Check the socket before you commit
An E27 socket means you can change the light source for decades, whatever the technology is called by then. Our lamp takes max 60W E27, has a textile cable in tweed cotton and natural linen of around three metres, a switch on the cord and a Euro plug. Marked CE, protection class 2, IP20.
Never compare the price with linear mass production. The damage, and the cost of it, can be permanent.
Oval or round changes everything
The sand coloured oval drum shade with a warm golden interior measures W 44, D 20, H 17 cm and gives a directed, softened light. The snow white cylindrical shade with a shining golden interior measures diam 31, H 15 cm and radiates beautifully through 360 degrees.
The oval shade suits medium to large books. The round shade is particularly lovely with smaller ones. You can own both and switch whenever you like.
Will it fit where you imagined?
The base is 32 cm wide and 20 cm deep and weighs 2.5 kg without shade and books. You decide the total height yourself, since it varies with the books and shade you choose.
Measure the surface before you settle on a shade, and allow for the books to stay put. A chest of drawers, a hallway bench and a desk all ask different things.
What happens next
Wear soft cotton gloves when handling the brass and you avoid fingerprints. To keep the high shine, use a mild polish such as Glanol and always polish in the same direction with a soft, dry cloth. Keep water off the brass.
Prefer to let it tarnish? You will get a patina many people find lovelier than the shine. It is your choice, and you can change your mind.
Ask us instead
We are happy to show you the lamp online and help you choose shade, books and placement for your room. Entirely free, with no obligation to buy. Just tell us what you have in mind.
- FREE SHIPPING OVER SEK 1,000
- GENEROUS RETURN POLICY
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