As interior design trends continue to favor personality-driven spaces, the latest crop of award-winning lighting poses a delightful dilemma for homeowners and decorators alike. The only real question left to answer is whether a space calls for cutting-edge wireless technology, a jewelry-inspired metallic finish, or a subtle touch of whimsical British charm.
Best Floor Lamp: Eave Wireless Floor Lantern by Ammunition for Gantri
Having successfully paved the way for the contemporary boom of on-demand, 3D-printed lighting, Gantri has once again demonstrated its knack for anticipating industry shifts by staying well ahead of the curve on the portable lamp trend. As part of a distinctive 10-piece collection designed in collaboration with Ammunition, the Eave Wireless Floor Lantern rethinks the traditional silhouette of floor-standing illumination.
Priced at $698, this innovative wireless design sports its shade squarely in the middle of the stem, a thoughtful structural choice engineered for hassle-free carrying and flexible placement around the home. By removing the traditional constraints of power cords and fixed wall outlets, the Eave allows users to move atmospheric floor lighting seamlessly from room to room, adapting to changing spatial needs without missing a beat.
Best Table Lamp: Bowery Lamp by Howell x Harrier for Crate & Barrel
In the realm of tabletop illumination, the Bowery Lamp by Tiffany Howell and actress Laura Harrier for Crate & Barrel stands out as a masterclass in material pairing and narrative design. Available for $449, this cast aluminum fixture is the literal definition of "jewelry for the home," drawing direct inspiration from a vintage ring while playfully incorporating its own precious adornments.
The instant standout piece within a broader, highly celebrated collection boasts a genuine tiger’s eye gem nestled discreetly beneath an oxidized iron shade. The interplay between the cool, architectural cast aluminum and the warm, earthy tones of the embedded gemstone creates a sophisticated visual tension, making the lamp a conversation piece whether it is switched on or off.
Best Clip-On Lamp: Bronte Cordless Bookshelf Light by Pooky
The steady expansion of British lighting brand Pooky into the United States market has firmly solidified the English cottage aesthetic’s enduring hold on American interior design. Naturally, few accessories fit that cozy, bookish vernacular quite as well as a petite library lamp equipped with a well-proportioned shade.
Retailing at $185, the Bronte Cordless Bookshelf Light is constructed from solid brass and designed to be secured securely to any shelf, mantel, or flat surface via a vintage-inspired clamp mechanism. Because the design is entirely cordless, it eliminates the unsightly clutter of wires along bookshelves and display cabinets, allowing homeowners to introduce warm, targeted accent lighting virtually anywhere in a room without the need for a nearby wall plug.
Best Paper Lighting: Amica Collection by Kawabi and Christopher Merchant for Assembly Line
Bringing a dose of organic whimsy and architectural daring to the awards list, the Amica Collection—highlighted by the striking Yama Pendant designed by Kawabi and Christopher Merchant for Assembly Line—brings to mind the playful, gravity-defying forms found within the pages of a classic children’s book. Priced at $3,750, these fixtures utilize Japanese kozo paper shades to achieve otherworldly shapes that range from undulating columns and elongated, tree-like pyramids to soft, lumpy cones.
Each paper shade is anchored by a richly glazed ceramic base, grounding the ethereal lightness of the material with substantial weight and color. The rippling funnel pendant, in particular, captivates the eye, finished with a delicate jade green chime that adds an auditory and visual layer of enchantment to the piece.
Best Chandelier: Anouck Chandelier by RTO Lighting
Pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a standard overhead lighting silhouette, RTO Lighting secured recognition with the Anouck Chandelier, an ambitious design driven by an unexpected power trio of materials: maple, suede, and cork. Retailing for $4,200, the fixture features delightfully chunky wood arms topped by delicate cone shades.
The deliberate combination of these tactile, unconventional materials allows the chandelier to cast a uniquely sultry, diffused glow across a room. By subverting traditional polished metal and glass chandelier tropes in favor of natural wood and soft textiles, RTO Lighting has delivered a statement overhead fixture that feels thoroughly grounded, modern, and tactile.
