UTILITY: All of the Lights

During the harsh winter months, artificial lights illuminate our lives. As our utility bills bear the brunt we look to lessen the economic burden whilst maintaining style in our homes.

Born out of a garage in East London and inspired by the fashion, music and sub culture scenes of the area, Buster + Punch have collaborated with street artists, bike builders, musicians and fashion designers to produce the things they love, from lighting and hardware to custom motorcycles.

Two years ago they set themselves a challenge of creating the world’s first LED designer bulb and have finally succeeded. The stylish eco-friendly bulb consumes 5% of the energy of conventional bulbs. The resin light pipe inside the teardrop glass shell creates a crisp, clean quality of light and in a choice of three colours, gold, smoked grey or bright crystal, finished with a stain metallic sheen they looked good whether they’re on or off.

Faster switching, lower energy consumption and longer life, it seems like LED lights are the answer to our prayers. Designers have jumped on board to produce stylish and functional LED lights and shades.

Decorative and ornamental lights are now embracing the eco-friendliness of LED. Tom Dixon, a British product design brand, also has a range of contemporary lighting that rely on LED light bulbs. The designs pay homage to Britain’s unique heritage and are designed in London and made using unique processes and materials. From the oh so fashionable contemporary pendant to floor and table lights, the Tom Dixon collection has quite a range of LED lighting accessories.

Tom Dixon is a self – taught British designer and currently the Creative Director of Tom Dixon, specialising in lighting, furniture and accessories. His hobby of welding and repairing his motorbike led him to develop skills that have helped him create his pieces, some of which have been acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum of Modern Art New York and Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.

Moritz Waldemeyer has recreated oriental vases using steel and embedded them with LEDs entitled Ming for Play of Brilliants. Lumiere – The Play of Brilliants, Elephant Paname, showcases the brilliance of light, allowing visitors to interact with light in one way or another. Waldemeyer is renowned for his creativity and philosophy of playful experimentation, which is evident in Ming.

Chinese culture and Taoistic theory is the inspiration behind Ming. Each vase is programmed with a different LED animation to mimic flames and water, symbolising action and reflection respectively.

Light in itself is symbolic, its seen as providing warmth and safety. In reality light allows us to complete tasks, to be kept out of the dark and, when daylight is scarce is winter, provide an illusion of daytime.