As common readers will know, there isn’t a lot we don’t love about cork (see: Pattern Alert: Cork as Greater than Bulletin Board and Bottle Stopper). Sustainable, sturdy, and tactile, cork provides heat and texture to any setting. Most of the time, cork merchandise—desk mats, trivets, stools, lids, pegs, and such like— have a utilitarian bent, which is why we have been drawn to a brand new cork assortment by the British homeware designer and artistic advisor Matilda Goad.

“Cork is commonly related to much less glamorous makes use of and functions,” explains Matilda. “I needed to point out it in a distinct mild. After I was taking part in round with designs I used to be drawn to extra classical shapes. They by some means gave the fabric extra significance.”

The result’s a pair of sculpted lamps bases—a placing obelisk and a curvaceous ball—and a playful cork urn designed to carry something from houseplants to pencils. Every bit is carved out of a single block of cork and is produced in Portugal, the place the cork is harvested.

“The obelisk lamp stands loud and tall,” says Matilda. “Mine at the moment sits on my desk, which I really like—however it additionally appears to be like excellent as a pair on both aspect of a mattress or on a console desk. The ball lamp, in the meantime, is small and agile. I like including lamps in surprising areas reminiscent of a bookshelf or hall, and this lamp works so properly for that.”

The bases include a brand new vary of card-backed material shades with fairly perforated holes and a delicate, scalloped edge: “These shades supply a recent different to our signature designs,” explains Matilda, who is understood for her shapely rattan and raffia shades. “One of many causes I’m drawn to lighting design, is that it’s such an awesome alternative so as to add a brand new materials or model to any room,” she says. “Apart from getting the base-to-shade proportions proper, there are not any guidelines.”

The urns can be found in two sizes: “The big appears to be like nice crammed with leafy greens,” says Matilda, “however when not in use, it can look simply as placing sat on the highest shelf. The smaller urn at the moment acts as a pen pot on my desk.”

See extra whimsical lighting design:

The Grasp of Plaster: Stephen Antonson’s Sculptural Lighting

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