10 Standout Lighting Designs From ICFF 2021
Contemporary fixtures with whimsical shapes, shiny metals and orb-like forms shined brightly at the trade fair
Lighting brands and designers lit up the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York with fresh designs that showed off striking forms with modern materials and a touch of whimsy. The annual trade show, held Nov. 14-15, welcomed architects, designers and industry professionals back to its first in-person event since 2019.
Illuminating the show floor were customizable lamps and new pieces made with unexpected materials like ethically sourced horsehair. Gold, brushed brass and shiny metal lamps reflected warm light, while small globular forms gave off soft glows. Playful graphics and bright color showed up in new lamps that felt joyful and nostalgic.
Take a look at these 10 standout lights from ICFF that represent some of the best new contemporary lighting designs from around the world. Then tell us in the Comments which ones inspire you the most.
Illuminating the show floor were customizable lamps and new pieces made with unexpected materials like ethically sourced horsehair. Gold, brushed brass and shiny metal lamps reflected warm light, while small globular forms gave off soft glows. Playful graphics and bright color showed up in new lamps that felt joyful and nostalgic.
Take a look at these 10 standout lights from ICFF that represent some of the best new contemporary lighting designs from around the world. Then tell us in the Comments which ones inspire you the most.
2. Multiuse With a Sculptural Form
The Node modular lighting system by Bjarke Ballisager beautifully balances form, function and scale in a sculptural and playful design. This contemporary luminaire can be hung from the ceiling, attached to the wall as a sconce or set on a table in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
The Node modular lighting system by Bjarke Ballisager beautifully balances form, function and scale in a sculptural and playful design. This contemporary luminaire can be hung from the ceiling, attached to the wall as a sconce or set on a table in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
3. Modern Meets Traditional
INDO introduced its Mooda collection of sconces and pendants that were inspired by generations of Indian furniture makers and their techniques. Cane or bamboo sticks were often stitched together in opposite directions by these makers to create balanced geometric forms.
These new lamps continue the tradition with white oak or maple surrounds and rounded light or dark marble centers. When turned on, the sconce seen here creates subtle golden shadows.
Browse lighting in the Houzz Shop
INDO introduced its Mooda collection of sconces and pendants that were inspired by generations of Indian furniture makers and their techniques. Cane or bamboo sticks were often stitched together in opposite directions by these makers to create balanced geometric forms.
These new lamps continue the tradition with white oak or maple surrounds and rounded light or dark marble centers. When turned on, the sconce seen here creates subtle golden shadows.
Browse lighting in the Houzz Shop
4. Layered Materials With a Warm Glow
The Butterfly wall sconce by Dainte features an elegant silhouette modeled after the wings of a butterfly in motion. Layered textured brass and glass, a sprightly design and a warm glow make this a great option for the entryway, powder room or bathroom.
The Butterfly wall sconce by Dainte features an elegant silhouette modeled after the wings of a butterfly in motion. Layered textured brass and glass, a sprightly design and a warm glow make this a great option for the entryway, powder room or bathroom.
Need a pro for your home remodeling project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
5. Nature-Inspired Cluster
Steps away from ICFF at WantedDesign Manhattan, a showcase of what’s new and next in design, Aaron Ethan Green debuted the Roe pendant; it nods to natural forms like a clutch of fish eggs or a bunch of grapes.
Suspended from a brass stem, the pendant’s globe light is covered in clusters of frosted or clear glass spheres that help cast a gentle glow.
7 Trends in Contemporary Furniture From ICFF 2021
Steps away from ICFF at WantedDesign Manhattan, a showcase of what’s new and next in design, Aaron Ethan Green debuted the Roe pendant; it nods to natural forms like a clutch of fish eggs or a bunch of grapes.
Suspended from a brass stem, the pendant’s globe light is covered in clusters of frosted or clear glass spheres that help cast a gentle glow.
7 Trends in Contemporary Furniture From ICFF 2021
6. Shiny Metals
Jamie Harris Studio introduced Nested Mirrored Disc sconces that combine handblown silver and brown and opaline glass to create connected sculptural wall lamps with a liquid metallic aesthetic.
Jamie Harris Studio introduced Nested Mirrored Disc sconces that combine handblown silver and brown and opaline glass to create connected sculptural wall lamps with a liquid metallic aesthetic.
7. An Unexpected Mix of Materials
Isabel Moncada used three light sources in her new Gogo wall lamp. A soft glow facing the wall emanates from a brushed-brass bowl on top, and a white blown glass sphere lights up the center. A small light that’s partially covered by horsehair points toward the floor.
The horsehair was collected from ranches in Jalisco, Mexico, and came from horses groomed for local competitions or from daily brushings. Moncada works with artisans throughout the region, sourcing different materials through fair trade.
Isabel Moncada used three light sources in her new Gogo wall lamp. A soft glow facing the wall emanates from a brushed-brass bowl on top, and a white blown glass sphere lights up the center. A small light that’s partially covered by horsehair points toward the floor.
The horsehair was collected from ranches in Jalisco, Mexico, and came from horses groomed for local competitions or from daily brushings. Moncada works with artisans throughout the region, sourcing different materials through fair trade.
8. Peanuts Characters
Contemporary LED lighting company Koncept partnered with the beloved Peanuts brand for a new collection of wall sconces featuring some of Charles Schulz’s iconic characters: Snoopy, Woodstock and Charlie Brown.
This bright yellow sconce, a play on Koncept’s Ramen light, gives off soft light behind an interchangeable magnetic plate with Peanuts illustrations that evoke playfulness and nostalgia.
10 Furniture Trends From the Fall 2021 High Point Market
Contemporary LED lighting company Koncept partnered with the beloved Peanuts brand for a new collection of wall sconces featuring some of Charles Schulz’s iconic characters: Snoopy, Woodstock and Charlie Brown.
This bright yellow sconce, a play on Koncept’s Ramen light, gives off soft light behind an interchangeable magnetic plate with Peanuts illustrations that evoke playfulness and nostalgia.
10 Furniture Trends From the Fall 2021 High Point Market
9. Orb-Like Structure
Bandido Studio was inspired by the beautiful sparkle and glimmer of fireflies in the forests of Tlaxcala, Mexico, for this orb-like table lamp. An opal glass sphere, a black-and-gray marble base and brass hardware give the Naga light a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
Bandido Studio was inspired by the beautiful sparkle and glimmer of fireflies in the forests of Tlaxcala, Mexico, for this orb-like table lamp. An opal glass sphere, a black-and-gray marble base and brass hardware give the Naga light a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
10. Nod to Archery
The Artemis light by Daniel Glenn Design is handcrafted from a delicate archery-inspired wooden bow, aluminum hardware and a 6-foot transparent acrylic rod that houses two LED light sources. This luminaire, which was on display at WantedDesign Manhattan, is intended as a dining room chandelier.
More on Houzz
Read more design stories
Find design and remodeling professionals
Shop for home products
The Artemis light by Daniel Glenn Design is handcrafted from a delicate archery-inspired wooden bow, aluminum hardware and a 6-foot transparent acrylic rod that houses two LED light sources. This luminaire, which was on display at WantedDesign Manhattan, is intended as a dining room chandelier.
More on Houzz
Read more design stories
Find design and remodeling professionals
Shop for home products
Christopher Miano of CAM Design carefully shaped solid American walnut slabs into intersecting squiggles for his whimsical and sophisticated Squiggle chandelier. The four globe light coverings are hand-turned from red oak wood to give the lamp visual contrast and texture.
Find an interior designer