Opinion

Pia’s picks: lighting for every room – spider monkey style

5/2/2023

Translation: Katherine Martin

My virtual pinboard is often plastered with items that, in the right circumstances, i.e. a lack of willpower, wind up in my shopping cart. This time, it’s beautiful clip-on lights with the potential to be useful for everyone. Let me tell you why.

It’s crazy how flexible clip-on lamps are, such as Artemide’s design classic, the Tolomeo Pinza Micro. If I point one at the wall, it gives off a soothingly gentle, oblique light. But if I swivel the lampshade towards my desk, it floods it with direct light. So, not only can I use them as atmospheric lighting, I can also use them as reading lights when necessary. In short, I can bend them into the shape I want, allowing me to divide rooms into zones to be lit however I wish.

The Tolomeo Pinza Micro is clamped onto the shelf like a spider monkey, highlighting the bookcase.
Source: Artemide

The dimmable LED lamp W182 Pastille c2 serves as a nice nightlight. Photo: Wästberg — The Tolomeo Pinza Micro is clamped onto the shelf like a spider monkey, highlighting the bookcase.
Source: Artemide

Another clear bonus is that’s they’re easy to put up. Using a clip and a screw, I can attach the spider monkey-style lights to virtually anything – from kitchen cupboards to bookcases and side tables. And it can all be done quick as a flash, without any drilling.

Kelly is a simple desk lamp. Even their switches are integrated into the head of the lamp.
Source: Leuchten Direkt

I’m spoilt for choice. I find a whole spectrum of colours, from fiery salamander tones to subtle hues that blend, chameleon-like, into their surroundings. I’ve also got a choice between simple design pieces such as Pablo Design’s wooden Clamp Mini, and colourful ones such as Lucide’s Bastin.

Strata, an inconspicuous T-lamp from Unilux, can even be attached to a monitor. Which brings me to my last argument in favour of clip-on lighting – it doesn’t need a lot of room. Plant lovers take note – that hundredth Monstera plant on your shelf won’t have to cede a single smidge of space. The only thing you won’t be able to hide is the cable. As is the case with most devices, it’ll have to dangle down somewhere. That said, with a little imagination, it could become a decorative vine for your light-up spider monkeys.

Table lamps

Artemide Tolomeo Micro Pinza

267 lm, E14

Table lamps

EUR39,90

Leuchten Direkt Kelly

800 lm

Table lamps

Wästberg W182 Pastille c2 LED clamp light

Table lamps

Artemide Tolomeo Micro Pinza

267 lm, E14

Table lamps

EUR39,90

Leuchten Direkt Kelly

800 lm

Table lamps

Wästberg W182 Pastille c2 LED clamp light

Table lamps

Pablo Design Clamp Mini Table Lamp

325 lm

Table lamps

Lucide Bastin

E14

Table lamps

Unilux Strata

700 lm

Table lamps

Pablo Design Clamp Mini Table Lamp

325 lm

Table lamps

Lucide Bastin

E14

Table lamps

Unilux Strata

700 lm

In my «Pia’s Picks» series, I share items from my watch list that you might like too.

Header image: Artemide

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Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

Opinion

This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.

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