i+D - May/June 2021 - 45

Demographic
Differences
Lighting is a truly personal preference, and
product designers see a distinction in what
homeowners and their interior designers choose,
both in terms of regional demographics and
age demographics.
Interestingly, Bailey has noted that while
seaside-inspired fixtures that incorporate materials
like oyster shells and sea glass sell strong in
coastal cities, particularly in California, as
would be expected, they're also selling well in
urban environments.
She says, " More and more people want to
bring references to nature into their homes, "
especially when those references harken to a
place that is meaningful to them. For instance,
Bailey knows a family who summers on Cape Cod
and has incorporated beach-inspired lighting and
other decor elements into their Chicago home,
" as references to a place that brings them great
happiness, " she says.
Age demographics also come into play with
lighting preferences. Bailey notes that while
various generations might gravitate to the same
designs, their preferences will differ in terms of
colors and finishes. " A millennial might prefer
creams, whites, even pinks, while a baby boomer
might prefer a warmer brass finish or polished
nickel, " she notes. Bailey also is seeing different
generations of designers-like Bunny Williams
and Sasha Bikoff, both of whom have designed
for Currey & Company-finding kinship and a
common connection. " They're both successful in
their own rights, " she says. " And they'll purchase
each other's designs for various projects. "
Meanwhile, Faber sees a trend in younger
customers searching for more sculptural, artistic
light designs. " Young people want pieces in their
home that will stand out, " she says. " They're very
good at making more eclectic, curated homes. "
Designed by
GamFratesi for
Louis Poulsen,
the Yuh Table
lamp is so flexible:
The shade raises
and lowers,
pivots, and tilts
to provide light
wherever needed.
(Image: Courtesy of
Louis Poulsen)
Spotlight on Home Office
Last year, much of corporate
America discovered the joys-and
the drawbacks-of working from
home. Above all, they discovered
that a home office upgrade was
crucial. Just as important as
ergonomic chairs and comfortable
keyboards is good lighting in a
home office situation. And while an
inexpensive ring light can illuminate
someone in a flattering way during
endless video meetings and Zoom
team-building events, task lamps and
ambient lights are also paramount
in preventing eye strain and creating
a productive, energizing atmosphere.
Originally a pendant, the
Junction light from Hollis +
Morris was designed as a table
lamp due to popular demand.
(Image: Courtesy of Hollis + Morris)
" What we saw last year was that
in residences, if people didn't have
a separate home office, they were
carving out a space in the living room
or bedroom, " notes Pam Bailey of
Currey & Company. " The space had
to be beautiful, since they were on
Zoom all day. And the overarching
theme was that people were craving
workspaces that needed to be calm
and nourishing. And it wasn't just
desk lamps that were selling, but
also floor lamps and pendants to
maximize desk space. "
In Scandinavia, where Louis Poulsen
is based, homes are sometimes
smaller, and when they were called
upon to also be virtual schoolrooms
and offices, the importance of having
zones of lighting that divide the home
became more apparent. Monique
Faber of Louis Poulsen says that
the market grew for the company's
smaller lamps, and they used the
opportunity to launch a mini version
of a classic Arne Jacobsen lamp that
is ideal as a task lamp since the head
can be directed into various positions.
One feature that's top of mind for
home offices is control of light levels.
" We've always designed our lights to
be dimmable, but people especially
want this in a home office situation, "
says Mischa Couvrette of Hollis +
Morris. " If you're working late at
night, you want to be able to dim
your lighting. " The company recently
launched the Junction table lamp and
the Catkin, which first appeared as a
pendant, but after multiple requests
Couvrette created a tabletop version
that's ideal for a desk. " We've seen
an uptick in sales for lamps that
create function but also warmth in
your office space, " he says.
All this goes to show: With so many
roles to play, home office light
fixtures are working as hard as the
WFH workforce itself.
i+D - May/June 2021
45
i+D - May/June 2021

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