Page 80 - Enlightenment Magazine - July 2013

ItalIan InspIratIon

EM: Were there more LED-based
fxtures on display this year?
SO: Yes, LED is here to stay and
continues its metamorphosis through a
plethora of applications and looks. We
are just about to reach the same lumen
output of incandescent bulbs at the right
price and that is a key ingredient to
its successful adoption. The only area
yet to mature is the color temperature;
it still seems too cool, but many com-
panies have achieved fantastic results
to address this issue by using difusers,
color flters, and other technology. Soon
we shall have many wonderful LED
light sources with sensational fxtures
that will change the residential lighting
landscape. The use of LED is superb in
portables, task lamps, and accent light-
ing. In ceiling fxtures, the style appears
to be highly contemporary.

EM: Was there a trend for ultra-contemporary
or is traditional still strong?
SO: I love this quote by Albert Einstein (to me, he
was also a poet): Lets not pretend that things will
change if we keep doing the same things. At the
Milan show, change was in the air. Innovation and
fresh design acted as the currency and demonstrated
that any dream is possible; any idea is welcome to be
turned into reality and given a chance to breathe.
Italian designs have always been at the forefront
of modern design with clean, sleek, and minimalist
style in contrast with the countrys Renaissance
architecture and interiors. I must confess that
among the sea of contemporary designs, I also saw
good traditional, transitional, urban, nostalgic, and
hand-crafed products. I was most pleased to see
American brands such as Fine Art Lamps, Hinkley,
Quoizel, Savoy, Flambeau, and Feiss on display at
Euroluce, courtesy of Elstead Lighting from the U.K.
Milan has truly become a stage of products from
all over the world, embracing all cultures, materials,
and inspirations.

78 enLIGHTenment Magazine | July 2013 www.enlightenmentmag.com