lamp

The most exquisite lamps have surfaced on the MAKE magazine blog of all places.

I suppose these lamps technically qualify as homemade tech gadgetry because artist Frank Buchwald handcrafted them himself.

I think his artistic meld of the natural and tech elevate these usable art pieces to more than look-what-I-made-in-my-garage status.

They just seem way too nice to appear in the same blog that showcased the hand-sewn nerd pillows and homemade Hobbit house.

A lot of the energy-conserving lamps we've seen look like something out of a Cold War-era Soviet office building. But the "Lightening Stick" (sic) by "green" home designer Oliver Heath is a refreshing exception. This steel fixture has "a row of color-changing LEDs down its spine" that can be set to your preferences, according to Shiny Shiny. But do be careful not to mistake it for the "Lightning Rod."

Mood-ring offshoots have become a staple of the retro-tech trend, but this is one of the sillier--and most expensive--examples of the genre we've seen. The "Therapie" is a canvas wall lamp that was "inspired by color and light therapy theories which give it a soothing aura to reverse bad tempers," according to BornRich. To us, it just looks like a plasma TV displaying different colors.

We woudn't mind the idea so much--many of us at Crave have a fondness for the '60s--but the price is downright offensive: $1,100. At that level, you'd … Read more

You know, I kind of like lava lamps. Unlike the whole ambient orb craze, lava lamps aren't just background decoration--they're fun to stare at. They also have legit retro appeal, which is pretty cool when it seems like just about every gadget is trying to look as futuristic as possible. Now, crazy-gadget hub ThinkGeek is selling a $10 lava lamp night light that Gizmodo alerted us to today. You can get 'em in red or yellow (though on the product page, the yellow looks more like neon green), and they plug right into any electric socket. Then it … Read more

There was a time when technological "convergence" in the home was defined by a combo device that merged television with computing. Now, it can be anything from a table-refrigerator to a smart coffee maker.

And the pace of innovation is furious. Just a few days after posting an item on a combo speaker lamp, we discovered that it's already been trumped by a combination lamp, speaker and air purifier, according to Chip Chick. The tower-shaped "Rigel," by Italy's Artemide, has a mirrored finish that gives way to colored lights when in use. But at … Read more

With the home becoming ever-more digital, we've seen a steady increase of instances where technologies converge with traditional furnishings. The early stages of this domestic evolution have often involved chairs and cabinets, but we may be on the cusp of a new phase with lamps. Yes, lamps.

At CES this week Soundolier showed off its "Duo," a combination speaker-lamp that can be purchased as a single fixture or as a pair for full stereo (and better lighting) for $280 each. Another $80 will get you the "Maestro," a wireless transmitter that pipes in music from … Read more

Whenever we'd stuck around long enough to see a movie's credits in the past, we always wondered what a "gaffer" was. Finally, thanks to research for Crave (and Wikipedia), we know now that the term refers to the lighting guru on the set.

The "Gaffer's Bounce Lamp," according to Hammacher Schlemmer, was designed by gaffer extraordinaire Edward Cohen, whose works include Spider-Man 2 and A Beautiful Mind. It apparently owes its name to the process of bouncing a 20-watt floodlight onto a "flexible, sanded polycarbonate reflector that directs a soft, diffuse light.&… Read more

As we part of our self-awareness work, we've admitted to having issues with exposed cords, an unfortunate situation that has led us on exhaustive searches for solutions. But here's one that had never occurred to us: a pot. Especially a pot from an Italian lamp maker.

The "Multipot Personal Electric Charger" hides five power outlets behind a "soothing light," according to Ubergizmo. Just jam all your cords into the pot like you were making a wire stew and let the lamp make it all seem like a planned look.

The $178 might seem a … Read more

As alternative energies finally become more mainstream, wind power often remains an afterthought compared with solar and other sources. The Elica lamp, made by an Italian design firm, is taking one modest step to raise wind energy awareness among the masses.

The lamp can be turned on and off by blowing on its "helix," or propeller. Mobile Whack says an "airblow censor" can help keep the lamp from being switched on accidentally. We have only one issue with this otherwise innovative appliance: According to the Elica site, it must still be plugged into an electrical outlet--which, … Read more