Inspiration: Serge Mouille

Serge Mouille was a French industrial designer and silversmith working in the 1940’s and 50’s best known, and rightfully so, for his collection of black metal lighting. The collection started with the three-arm floor lamp, and branched out into sconces, chandeliers and table lamps comprised of the signature long bent arms, sweeping lines and organic lamp heads, influenced by musculature and skeletons. The designs were a departure from anything else being designed at the time, and continue to be featured in high-end interiors today. 

Interior by Raiana Schwenker

Day Birger et Mikkelsen via Lonny Mag

Designs are sold through Design Within Reach, but the price tags leave many looking for a similar look elsewhere. The only reproduction seems to be the one by White on White/Organic Modernism, but the influence is plentiful in other designs.

Jason Koharik is a designer and craftsman working in Echo Park, California who has definitely nailed the spirit of Mouille lighting with hairpin-like arms and more rounded lamp heads.  

Lamp Shade Sources

Whether you make your own lamp, restore an old one or have just had a lamp for a long time, at some point you may need a new lamp shade. The following are some great sources for shades, in a range of price points listed from high to low:

Saving Lamps

When I moved into my apartment, I was desperately lacking in light sources and my mother graciously donated an antique lamp that had been sitting in my parents' garage. My plan at first was to make it white and glossy to emulate the Jonathan Adler Capri lamp, but after noticing the frayed cord, I decided to rewire it as well. 

For anyone as petrified of rewiring lamps as I was: don't be scared! It's a piece of cake, it's cheap and it doesn't require any tools. A standard lamp kit costs about $11 and comes with everything you need, including simple directions. Lamp kits are available with or without the harp (the curved piece that holds a lamp shade up if the lamp shade has spokes that meet at the top of the shade). You may not need the harp, as many lamp shades such as the ones sold at Ikea and Target attach at the base of the socket.

Better Than Sliced Bread: Closet Rod Light

A great and inexpensive solution for those who don't have lighting in the closet. A closet rod with battery-operated lights integrated along the bottom. 

 via LA Closet Design

 
It attaches to a shelf above, similarly to a standard closet rod - no wiring required. The light portion uses an energy-efficient LED light instead of fluorescent bulbs and also has a motion sensor to turn the light off for you, further conserving the battery. Comes in 22” and 34” lengths. 

Not the right sizes to fit your needs? Rite Lite offers less sleek but just as convenient products like LED puck lights and LED strips that can be affixed inside your closet. Also wireless and energy-efficient. They use LED bulbs and have motion sensor or remote control options.

Better Than Sliced Bread: Instant Pendants

You know what’s better than sliced bread? A pendant light fixture that plugs right into the socket of a recessed light. It’s called an "instant pendant." Perfect for renters who don’t like their recessed lighting or owners who don’t want to bring in an electrician (or commit to permanently converting a recessed fixture into a pendant).

The bonus: it comes in a pretty decent array of styles. This one and the one pictured are comparable to pendants at West Elm and this one has a hint of Restoration Hardware to it. The bonus on top of the bonus: the whole thing costs less than a Franklin.