Once in a while there comes a designer who creates things so unexpected that it makes you sit back and look twice. The Sovrappensiero Design Studio illustrates this perfectly. A colloboration between designers Lorenzo De Rosa and Ernesto Ladevaia, this Milan-based studio has consistently created unusual designs since their formation in 2007.
Agata
Take a look at the designs for lighting, for example. At first glance, what strikes you about the Agata lamp (2016) is its shape. The lamp looks like a scultpure, a modern minimalist decoration. A metal circle or ellipse holds a wooden cuff which then transitions into the mirrored shade. Meant to be a ceiling lamp, the Agata can be used as one or multiples. The hanging metal wires are adjustable for height and rotation. The Pileo (2014) floor and table lamps are inspired by nature, particularly by the shape of mushrooms. The word ‘pileo’ means a skull cap or hat close to the head. It also refers to the top expanded portion of fungi, which makes it a perfect name in many ways for this lamp. “We wanted to make a lamp that talks about the fine and delicate sides of the wood,” says the design team. The solid canaletta walnut or ash lamp has a tin-plated shade and clean lines.
Pileo
The Sunset (2015) table lamp was designed to be like its name-sake : “a warm and gentle sun that briefly illumunates the space before setting.” The LED lighting is enclosed in a shell painted with an embossed finish, one that is reminiscent of traditional lamp shades. When not in use, the Sunset could well be an accent for your table. The Saving lamp (2010) is full of emotional context. It reflects a much-loved object which has fulfilled its purpose, yet is precious enough to not only be retained, but displayed proudly under a glass globe.
124 Home Review November 2016
Sunset Table Lamp