FLOS

Rodolfo Dordoni was born in Milan, just like the Castiglioni brothers before him. There does seem to be something about this cultural hub of a city, steeped with an intricate history with Art that goes back to Leonardo Da Vinci and the Renaissance Age. Milan still inspires some of the worlds best designers and artists who flourish in a variety of fields. Like Tobia Scarpa, another pioneer of innovative designs including the iconic Flos Foglio Wall Light.Dordoni studied Architecture at the University of Venice. Once again there seemed to be cosmic forces moving these talented people along a certain path: re-inventing lighting for a new generation. Dordoni is one of the younger designers to have been so heavily involved with this group of subversive and experimental designers and is happily still working today. He has founded his own Studio in Milan, working on grand projects involving the interior designs of villas, showrooms, restaurants, hotels and the like. The Italian modernist wave and where Dordoni fits in The world of Lighting is grateful for the meeting of so many creative minds when Flos hired these prodigies. They collaborated wonderfully and provided us with some of the most beautiful lighting pieces, that have won countless awards. These designs have stood the test of time, described as part of a new ‘Italian modernism’ that swept across Europe, and the world, in the 1970s and '80s and still look timeless and innovative to this day. Dordoni excelled straight from his graduation in 1979, going on to take responsibility for the fantastic Artemide collection. Yet another artist for Artemide we here at Sparks appreciate is Michele De Lucchi, who pioneered a variety of handy yet eccentric desk-side lighting for the company. He worked for a variety of huge Italian design companies of the time including some of the biggest names in Italian design, including Minotti. Here he was quickly appointed and coordinator of all the company's collections. His journey through the world of Italian design led him, perhaps inevitability, to Flos. Dordoni’s breakout modernist piece with Flos: The Pochette Up and Down LED His most famous and inspired work with Flos was the Pochette Up and Down LED, made in 2003. Like many of his Italian modernist peers, Dordoni embraced using new materials and technologies to construct retro-futuristic masterworks. This wall lamp, capable of providing both indirect and direct light, was crafted with an ingenious understanding of form and its interactions with materials. The entire structure was composed of a pressure die-cast Zamak alloy, which boasts an impressive impact strength and corrosion resistance. The alloy is complemented by moulded steel, galvanised by a white wall attachment containing all pertinent electrical devices. The bright overhead light is perfectly balanced by the light angled towards the floor. Much like Neil Poulton’s well-renowned Surf Wall Light, Dordoni uses gently contoured lines, reminiscent of a cresting wave. The result is a delightfully arched indoor light that will bring beautifully ambient light to your home decor, while also appearing to be charmingly ornamental in its design. What draws such forward-thinking/ modernist artists to Flos: the incorporation of Arteluce Achille Castiglioni, the so-called 'Godfather of Italian modernism'  and one of the main figures in Flos' artistic leap in their breakout period, said that he ‘loved to subvert expectations and transform objects into something new’. Flos has always fully welcomed this concept with open arms, as can be seen by the artistry of some of its designs. Their self-described 'Flosophy' states they believe in, nurturing revolutionary spirits of our designers—we encourage them to seek out new poetic notions of functionality while staying ahead of the latest technological advancements. This can largely be attributed towards the sale of premier lighting company Arteluce to Flos in 1973. Arteluce had been a breeding ground for great thinkers and architects, who had already begun turning their able design skills to experimenting with light as a form. Gino Sarffati, head of Arteluce, had already designed over 400 lighting products by the time of Flos’s takeover. Flos cleverly incorporated many of Arteluce’s designs into their own product range and began to receive immediate plaudits. Although they had their roots in the late 50’s, they displayed a modern sensibility and finesse that was still relevant. This forward-thinking attitude is what has attracted the some of the world’s best designers, including Dordoni to join their cause. They continue to push the boundaries of architecture, playfulness and style within an industry that is still lagging behind their most impressive feats This article was inspired by the following articles: Picture of Rodolfo Dordoni via Flos. The origins of Flos, and how Gino Saffati founded Italian modernism, On USA Flos. Dordoni's burgeoning relationship with Flos throughout the years on Dordoni's personal website. What Flos' forward-thinking and accepting philosophy did for the world of lighting and the great artists they propelled on USA Flos. Detailed information on how Italian artists and designers of the Italian modernist wave found Flos at deezen.

Tobia Scarpa is yet another Italian designer to have enjoyed a flourishing career that led him to create some marvellous pieces for Flos. He has a backlog of prestigious works in a variety of fields, including architecture, restoration, design, and lighting; he has excelled due to his innovative design philosophy. Born in Venice in 1935, he studied Architecture at the University of Venice, where he graduated in 1969. He began his career with an ingrained working ethos that brought him great success; he is always open to innovation and new design technologies and materials - as Flos says of Scarpa, he: ‘Developed a vocabulary for accessible luxury design based on expanding technology and a wide range of materials. Tobia Scarpa was among the first pioneering designers to be hired by the Flos lighting company to design some of their initial models, alongside Pier Castiglioni and Achille Castiglioni,  who was another legendary contributor to the world of lighting. Much like the Castiglioni brothers, the designs he would conjure up for Flos would be received with great acclaim and still be admired and sought after to this day. Tobia Scarpa makes a grand statement with the Foglio Wall Lamp with FlosDesigned by Scarpa in 1966, this classic in modern lighting really puts Scarpa (and the still relatively young Flos) on the map within the lighting industry.The Foglio is a rather ingenious construction, formed of a single sheet of steel that delicately wraps around its two lamps. The design resembles a shirt cuff, or folio paper, in the way it effortless fold inwards.The lamp's body formed by power-pressed steel with two lamp supports made from injection-moulded white nylon. The beautiful yet unusual design of the Foglio reflects Tobia Scarpa's philosophy - as he once statedDesign is a profession without a rule book. The wall lamp certainly has a unique and intriguing aspect to it that separates it from other designs in the industry in that period. It offers a pleasing partially diffused light that seeps through its folded form. The Foglio is IP20 rated, ideal for interior settings, and it comes in a variety of colours - chrome, white or glossy black - to suit the decor of the room it is fitted in. The meandering waves and gentle curves of the structure complement the soft diffused light and ensure that this is the finest wall light for creating a welcoming glow in your home. The Foglio's enduring popularity could be partly down to the fact that it looks equally at home in a contemporary home as it does in a classy restaurant. In both cases, it offers a dash of refinement and comfortable indirect light and can be positioned to create an ambient mood lighting. Tobia Scarpa's other work with Flos - the classic ClessidraTobia Scarpa - alongside the Castiglioni brothers - were the among the first to genuinely understand just how modern materials could change the face of the design world. All you have to do is look at yet another Flos design classic - the Clessidra,. Scarpa always knew that new materials and technologies were the way forward to progressing and exciting the lighting world. He did this again in 2011, working alongside other Flos designers including Antonio Citterio, to produce the Clessidra Wall Lamp. The Clessidra has a very interesting and alluring construction, with its body acquired through aluminium pressofusion and diffusers in PMMA. It also features highly-efficient lenses that are specially designed for the application. As with the Foglio light, the intrinsic materials that make the Clessidra are a large part of what makes up it's aesthetic beauty. With an hourglass shape that offers gently diffused up and down lighting, the Clessidra comes in both a 20 degree angle variant and a 40 degree one. It is IP55 rated, meaning it can be wall-mounted as an exterior light for your garden as well as used as an interior decorative light. It also comes in a range of finishes to suit your needs: gleaming chrome, dark brown, grey and white: all of which are stocked at Sparks. Tobia Scarpa and the 'original trio': how they helped launch Flos into global recognition and have stayed relevant to this day Flos' roots can be traced back to 1959, and the 60's were a defining period for the company, as it launched officially in 1962. In the burgeoning years of Flos, design was overseen by the Castiglioni brothers and Tobia Scarpa, who steered Flos toward worldwide recognition. It was in this early period that design classics such as the Arco lamp were produced and experimentation in lighting design as an art form started to be explored. The Arco Lamp would be the first of their early designs to receive a Compasso d'Oro award, although many Flos designers would all go on to be recognised, including Tobia Scarpa. He received the Compasso d'Oro (Golden Compass) award in 1969, and would go on to win it again in 2008 as a lifetime achievement award, presented to him by his wife and long-time colleague Afra Scarpa.

Wholesalers have been part of the fabric of life for working electricians since the first ones opened in the early 19th century. This article details exactly how the relationship between Sparks Electrical Wholesalers and local electricians is so mutually beneficial, with discounts, offers, advice, special requirement solutions and customer accounts all part of the negotiations. However, it has become increasingly common to see members of the general public milling around Sparks - and not just to ogle at the beautiful showroom. There's a mix of tradespeople and ordinary members of the  local community that visit us daily. Here are five reasons why North London locals - whether they be tradespeople or not - visit our lighting showroom at Sparks - and why you should too. 1. Product knowledge Sparks has been around for a long time - 30 years in fact - and many of our staff have been around throughout much of our illustrious history. The combined knowledge of Sparks’ over-the-counter salespeople is extraordinary - they have a comprehensive knowledge of the items we stock. You can come in with a basic request such as a ‘I want a white wall light fitting’ for your new bedroom, and the Sparks salesperson will be able to guide you through the process of finding what you need, providing tailored, expert advice. In the lights department, we will figure out if the light should be wall or ceiling mounted (or both), flush or with a stem base, what sort of size and shape, and what kind of style, to complement the room it is being placed in. This support extends to more complex advice for electricians who need to know more about the  domestic distribution boards, for instance, or about the Ryefield boards. Our staff is well-versed in the world of electrical goods of all kinds and their combined knowledge will find a solution to your needs. 2. Pricing Check out the Fluke 1662 Multifunction Installation Tester Kit for Insulation, Volts, Earth, Phase, RCD, Loop, and Continuity Testing - in stock at an amazing price!You rarely get to see haggling in British stores these days, and we don't practice this, but we do give the best prices we can when you visit us in our lighting showroom. This applies to both electricians and members of the public. When dealing with tradespeople looking to buy high quantities of goods or premium products, there is always wriggle room to be explored; there are further discounts applied when larger quantities are purchased. This makes the experience of going to the wholesalers more exciting for those who are want to save some money, rather than facing the fixed prices of conventional retailers. Many electricians prefer to frequently purchase such things as consumer units, Ryefield boards, Astro Lights, Flos Lights, Forbes and Lomax switches and sockets, and Heritage Brass wiring accessories in our showroom because they know the price is unbeatable. This is beneficial for both us - the wholesaler - as we're getting repeat business from someone in the profession, and for the electrician who is obviously getting the cheapest price available.3. Customer service Sparks have followed a growing trend among many wholesalers, offering fast delivery on items that may be in stock at the time of the customer visiting the store, and on items that need to be ordered. Sometimes you may order something that is quite bulky and not so easy to be carried on public transport; in such cases, we can deliver the items for you. And in case the items are not in stock, we can do a delivery when they arrive. It also gifts you ensured safety in delivery and ease of mind with the 30 day ‘no quibble’ return policy that applies to all our products, excluding light bulbs and LED lamps. The face-to-face aspect of visiting your local wholesalers can not be overstated. We are a friendly, local establishment looking to do right by our customers - both old and new - and we have every reason to offer the best advice and customer service that we possibly can. This extends to ‘aftercare’ or follow-up enquiries, where our experienced staff will answer any questions regarding installation, returns, similar products and so on once a product has been purchased. 4. Product availability This is AX4569 - the Astro Lighting Enna Floor LED Lamp in Matt White using a 4.5W 2700K 124lm LED Lamp (non-dimmable) with Switch on the Cord, available hereWe hold large stocks of many of the items that we advertise online and are well-known for. For many of our customers, such as tradespeople and electricians, there is the requirement for instant purchase on certain products, whether it be a screw-in plug or a very particular kind of socket. These are busy people with professions that require them to be ‘on the move’ throughout the day, meaning they can’t be waiting at home for Amazon deliveries to arrive. The advantage of being able to walk out of our showroom with everything you need in hand can not be understated, and is an aspect of shopping at Sparks that is appreciated by most regularly frequenting customers. Whether it is sockets, switches, LED lamps, heaters, underfloor heating mats, or some bathroom fans, we hold stock of most of these popular and much-needed items in our lighting showroom.5. Brand recognition and fidelity We have been operating on Holloway Road, Archway since 1988 and are one of the longest established shops that remains on the street: quite an achievement in this Internet age. Our brand recognition and fidelity have helped play an influential part in this. Our showroom has been open for 30 years, showcasing our most popular and interesting electrical items and light fittings. It has been visited by electricians, building contractors, architects, hotel and interior designers, landlords, actors, TV presenters, and the general public; whether they have something to purchase in mind, or are just there to admire. By putting a welcoming and friendly face on electrical wholesaling, we have managed to stay relevant and popular among Archway residents, and those coming from further out. The fact that Sparks has retained its status as a leading UK electrical wholesaler for such a long period of time demonstrates our informed and welcoming over-the-counter approach has inspired customer loyalty. These are five of the topmost reasons for which you should visit us - Sparks Electrical Wholesalers Ltd - on 659-661 Holloway Road, London, N19 5SE, close to Archway tube station (and Upper Holloway overground station).

Artemide has made a huge contribution in the history of international design, with many of their pieces shown at exhibitions and museums, transcending the lines from lighting to art. Along with other Italian design pioneers such as Achille Castiglioni, Michele de Lucchi was at the forefront of Italian modernism that was so prevalent in European culture throughout the latter half of the 20th century. After studying architecture at Padua University, he switched to Florence University, before working in the Kartell Studio in the 70's, an organisation that would become famous for their vibrantly coloured acrylic furniture. Michele De Lucchi's work with Artemide: Tolomeo, Castore, and Dioscuri One of Michele De Lucchi's most famous pieces was the Tolomeo desk lamp, designed in 1989. This piece was a culmination of his work with the provocative designer group 'Memphis', where he studied architecture in Florence with other artistic greats. During this period he learnt to rebel, as he states in an interview here. We were very fed up with rationalism and rigid composition, without colours, without decoration... we wanted to bring fashion into design. The Tolomeo desk lamp won accolades worldwide, including the Compasso d'Oro (Golden Compass) design prize in 1989. The lamp only grew in status, becoming a symbol of high-design consciousness in modern, flourishing companies during the 'dot com' period. Workplace design and architecture was always a recognised strength of his, as he was enlisted by companies such as the Deutsche Bank, Telecom Italia and Poste Italiana to spruce up aesthetic innovation in the workplace. The Tolomeo would also become embedded in offices across the world in a different form with the fully rotational Artemide Tolomeo Micro Faretto wall light. Despite his successes in other design fields, innovative and inspiring lighting was undoubtedly a forte of his. He would design and assist in designing some of the most elegant, forward-thinking luminaries to grace the lighting industry, including the Artemide Castore Pendant. These breathtaking lamps can be ordered in a variety of sizes and arranged in a 'drop-lamp' composition to achieve an elegant arrangement to illuminate your home. Their inconspicuous appearance belies that fact that the highest quality blending of material is visible to the naked eye. With a calming, diffused and indirect light they are truly a demonstration of artistry. Michele de Lucchi has demonstrated this artistry time and time again, the lessons imbued by Memphis clearly still embedded within him. For instance the Artemide Dioscuri is beloved for its simplicity: a white, acid-blown spherical lamp that transcends the initial simplicity of appearance. With a spherical diffuser design, these compact lamps illuminate spaces subtly, adding glamour wherever they are placed. What's more they come in a variety of sizes, and in both table light and wall light designs. Michele De Lucchi's influence in design and lighting with Artemide and beyond The designs of Italian designer Michele De Lucchi have become 'modern icons' in lighting, his name immortalised within the industry. These accolades have been earned mainly through his work with Artemide and his personal label 'Produizone Privata', and he has always been known for his attention-grabbing, inspirational creations. The Tolomeo family is still going strong, expanding beyond the original desk lamp to include various table, desk, floor, wall, track and suspension lamps, as well as innovative new dimmable LED models. In 2015, at two of Milan's flagship events - the Salone de Mobile and the Milan Expo, his work was front and centre. At the Salone he showcased 'The Walk', his modernistic exhibition of what an ideal workplace should be, with a strong focus on the importance of walking in relation to office design. The very fact that Michele De Lucchi remains in the foreground of debate regarding architectural and design innovation demonstrates his everlasting relevance and the importance of his influence in design and lighting. Inspiration for this article can be found via, Insights into Michele De Lucchi's design philosophy were taken from the man himself on Architonic. The life and work of Michele De Lucchi from his Wikipedia page. The legacy of De Lucchi from Surface Mag. His full range of designs and works via his website here.

Described as one amongst a generation of Italian designers who ‘turned the language of design on its head’ following the Second World War, Castiglioni will always be remembered as a legend in the field of design. Born in Milan in 1918, Achille Castiglioni was to become known as the ‘Godfather of Italian modernism’, which became prevalent in European culture in the 60’s. Family was always integral to Achille; he set up his first design office with his brother Livio and Pier Giacomo (also renowned designers in their own right). He established a studio in Milan in 1944 and from there his career flourished as he went on to become known worldwide. The perfect mix between a designer and an artist: many of Castiglioni's works can be found in museums all across the world now, including a multitude of designs such as the famous 'Sella' seat in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Achille's work with Flos - the impeccable Fucsia pendants Flos was delighted to attain the services of this magnificent artist, in the prime years of his career, and his works remain among Flos’ most enviable pieces. These include the AOY, Arco, Gatto, Lampadina, Snoopy, Taccia, Toio, Stylos and Fucsia ranges. Among his most beautiful designs were the Fucsia range of lamps, and we here at Sparks are proud to stock some genuine, beautiful Castiglioni pieces, such as the Flos Fucsia 1 Modern Glass Pendant. The Fucsia 1 Pendant procures both concentrated or diffused light from a single hand-blown glass conical tube, with a finely sandblasted edge. The tubular steel body is coated with a white gloss powder, and comes complete with a transparent power cord and silicone ring, to add to the mystique of the enchanting light. The pendants epitomise the 'flosophy' of Flos, which has long played with bold experimentation in shape, material and LED technology. They have never been afraid to make radical choices throughout the generations and embrace 'avant garde' breakthroughs in design. The Concept behind the Fuscia - Achille's inspirations Throughout his entire career, Achille has gathered inspiration from everyday items, making use of ordinary materials to create forms that would subvert expectations. He was renowned for using the minimal amount of materials necessary to create a maximum effect in his works. The Fuscia 1 pendant, for instance, was based on the stark, spartan beauty of industrial tools and this is reflected in the minimal amount of materials used to make the light; namely glass, silicone and steel. This is perhaps why the Fucsia manages to be simultaneously so beautiful and eye-catching, yet in a completely unfussy and minimalist manner. Achille's Lasting legacy beyond Flos and Fucsia It must be noted that his art forms and works certainly extended beyond lighting. Achille and his brothers Livio and Pier actually helped reconstruct buildings such as the Palazzo della Permanente, destroyed by bombing in the Second World War in 1943. His passions were manifold: above all he loved to subvert expectations and transform objects into something new. He infamously altered a tractor seat - 'the Mezzadro seat' into a striking looking stool in 1957 that is still selling today, and looks like something that could be found at an IKEA; his sense of futurism was truly remarkable. The ‘Mezzadro’ seat is not the only one of Achilles designs to remain in production. Copies and replicas of his famous ‘Arco’ lamp are plentiful, with his daughter saying he would be most complemented by this. Flos might disagree, as they sell the legitimate version of this masterwork, albeit at it a hardly an economical price! Whether it be in the field of household items, furniture, building architecture or lighting, Achille Castiglioni thoroughly earned his nickname as 'the Godfather of Italian modernism'. We are proud to be associated with his wonderful designs through our partnership with Flos. Further reading on this designer (and sources for this article): Achille Castiglioni - curiosity as a way of life, via, LoveTheDesign. Design Legacy: remembering Italian innovator Achille Castiglioni, via, Wallpaper.

Born in London, England, Jasper Morrison would go on to become an internationally renowned product and furniture designer, collaborating with some of the world’s most prestigious retailers of home ornaments. His work with Cappellini in the 90’s in particular grew his enduring legacy and led him to huge companies, including the distinguished Italian lighting company Flos. Morrison inspires Flos with his Glo-Balls Morrison was always a great admirer of Flos, stating that they were ‘always the company I wanted to design for’. He was a great follower of Italian designers such as Castiglioni and Piero Gandini and he was delighted to join their ranks in the 90’s to delve into the world of lighting design. With Flos, he would make an indelible mark on modern lighting that would resound across the interior design scene of Europe. One his range of designs include the iconic ‘Glo-Ball’ Flos family of light fittings, notable for their moon-like orb lights, made of the finest opaline glass. Glo-Balls were immediately distinguished for being furnished in a rather quirky and chic manner, offering humour and elegance all in the same package. The Glo-Ball family range of lights became a modern home lighting phenomenon, and Morrison would go on to design a great variety of them. These included wall light fixtures, huge ceiling features, mini-glow pendants, floor lamps and table lamps. The Glo-Balls really do cut a magnificent figure in any room, with the moon-shaped orb spreading an even, warm light whilst providing a decorative ornament themselves.The most affordable is the mini Glo-Ball, 112mm in diameter, which can be affixed to your wall, mirror or ceiling.Morrison Designs the Smithfield for FlosIn a similar vein to the Glo-Ball range, Morrison later designed the Smithfield Pendant Lamp in 2009, another example of his pioneering vision.  He took inspiration from the Smithfield Market in London, as he was famously fond of these types of metal shades that used to dangle across the market. Morrison successfully re-invented the Smithfield for the home interior, crafting a bold, aluminium-bodied lamp with a high gloss finish that exudes class and luxury. With integrated LED compatibility and a sleek, modern finish, Morrison created a Pendant lamp perfect to overhang the dining or meeting table of a contemporary home. Morrison's legacy in home lighting Morrison's philosophy has always been to marry style and substance. As he asserted 'simplicity is a state of mind... I like ideas like normal, soft, comfortable, easy to use'. One thing is for sure when it comes to Jasper Morrison: his designs have proven to have a timeless and beautiful quality to them that will appeal to all future generations. As recently as 2016, The Tate Modern opened an exhibition dedicated solely for Morrison. James Morrison is to this day one of today's most influential British industrial designers. Among all his designs, including the ground-breaking 'Thinking Man's Chair', the Glo-Ball collection for Flos rates as one of his most iconic designs.

Winter is coming around the corner and many of us can expect to experience the 'winter blues', also known as 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' (SAD). What is SAD? It is a common mood disorder that is a growing phenomenon in modern society. It is widely perceived to cause decreased mood levels and depression and has now been directly linked with seasonal changes and the light levels people are exposed to,  especially in countries with irregular weather patterns such as the UK. Why is SAD affecting more people? The adoption of electronic light in recent times has led to a change in the ‘circadian’ rhythms of the human body, which controls key features such as sleep-wake behaviour and hormone secretion. Other modern-day factors such as technology, globalisation and shift work has been seen to disrupt the lines between night and day, disturbing the 24 hour sleep cycle we ought to be operating on for maximum health and happiness. The hidden powers of LEDs and why they may be a surprise solution However, there could be a solution to the problem, which itself is partially caused by artificial lighting; this solution is from another artificial lighting source - LEDs. LEDs are more helpful in tackling SAD than traditional incandescent light sources primarily due to the quality of light provided by LED bulbs, which give the options of different shades of light, from warm white light, to cool light and daylight. Having these options available is essential for combating the ‘winter blues’ associated with shorter days and less natural light. Commercial lights often max out at only 10,000 lumens, which has far too little effect on the mood to help with the effects of SAD. When SAD light therapy research was initially being conducted, scientists could only operate within the confines of the 10,000 lux offered by the best traditional lighting at the time. However, it was soon acknowledged that a far higher number of lumens was needed, and then LED lamps came to the rescue, with a far more powerful light than that offered by fluorescent bulbs. The importance of Kelvins provided by LEDs The best LED lights can offer up to triple this amount, with 30,000 lumens, which research has demonstrated is the equivalent of 1800 wattage from regular incandescent bulbs or 1500 watts of halogen bulbs. A proponent of LEDs swears by an LED with a Kelvin level of 6000K which replicates that of natural daylight and is described as ‘crisp and invigorating’ on the Kelvin Colour Temperature scale. According to the ‘Psychology Today’ website, LED lights perpetuate the bright blue light of daytime. This is essential in a time when the interval between day and night has become increasingly erratic and the natural 24 hour sleep cycle that should be natural to people has been broken due to the high demands and stresses of modern life. How LED lights that can brighten up your 'Winter Blues' At Sparks we thankfully have no shortage of LED lighting, adapted for every type of interior or exterior setting. You can start your day off by grooming in the light of a Palermo LED Bathroom wall light, which offers a generous helping of bright and vibrant 3000K light to immediately brighten your mood. Our range of Louvre Fascia LED wall lights will brighten up your outdoors with 3500K of white light if you are spending a some evenings outside, or if you just came home from work and need some welcoming light along the way. Finally, if you arrive home after a day cooped up in the office, feeling you haven’t got your share of sunlight, then we at Sparks also provide a range of Flos table lamps, to be placed by your bedside or on your table as you read or surf the internet to unwind. So, if the winter blues has you feeling under the weather, a few well-placed LED lamps may have you feeling better in no time.Articles on LED lamps affect on SAD which inspired us: An explanation of SAD (via Wikipedia) The effect of light exposure on mood and brain chemistry (via US National Library of Medicine) information on light-levels effect on our psychology and stress levels (via Psychology Today). Factors that could be increasing the cases of SAD in our population (via Meaningness) Via Meaningness, why more lumens could be the solution, and how LEDs can improve mood levels. Kelvin Colour Scale explained (via Lumens)

"I came across a YouTube clip of a contact juggler. He has these spinning spheres moving around, and they are spinning so perfectly, you can’t even see them move — it looks perfectly balanced and perfectly still. This was my starting point." Michael Anastassiades, the designer of Flos iC Globe Lights. This collection explores balance. There is a series of lights: table lights, wall lights, ceiling pendants and ceiling mounted lights which take as their basic form a sphere that is perfectly balanced on the edge of a rod. As for their model number / codes, the initials IC come from the codes that English police use to define the perceived ethnicity of a person they stop in the street when reporting back to the station. IC1 means white person or Northern European type, IC2 means Mediterranean European/Hispanic, IC3 indicates an African / Afro-Caribbean person, and so on, so this is a playful story to define the different designs. Enjoy a collection of designer Flos iC globe lights for wall mounting, hanging from the ceiling, or table mounting available via Sparks and designed by Michael Anastassiades for Flos Lighting. Most of the ones on our website come in a lovely brass finish and in a small or larger globe size for a modern interior lighting. Flos iC C/W2 Brass Wall / Ceiling Lamp with Opal Diffuser, design: Michael Anastassiades Flos iC S1 Pendant Ceiling Lamp in Brass with Opal Diffuser, design: Michael Anastassiades Flos iC F1 Brass Floor Light with Opal Diffuser, design: Michael Anastassiades Flos iC T2 Table Lamp in Brass with Opal Diffuser, design: Michael Anastassiades These are only some of the wide range of iC globe wall, ceiling, table, or floor lights designed by Michael Anastassiades for Flos Lighting that we have on our website. Take a look, enjoy, and purchase them online via Sparks!

On our website at the Pendants and Chandeliers section we have an extensive collection of modern and traditional suspension lamps, and among the first is the Skygarden 1 Pendants from Flos. Recently, as someone was checking out this section of the website, he remarked, Ah, the Skygarden 1 from Flos, I don't think people really buy them! This really got us up in arms. Did you actually see these pendants? Did you really check them out to see their design and amazing applications? Hear us out on this... The Amazing Skygarden 1 Designed by Marcel Wanders Marcel Wanders designed the Skygarden 1 range of suspension lights especially for Flos as a semi-circle hanging lamps in either glossy or shiny finish. They are large ceiling lights ideal for modern room designs and even conference venues, adding the great Italian lighting design touch to the environment. As we were mentioning via, "the Gold Fittings are a New Trend in 2013", Marcel Wanders is a world-acclaimed and recognized lighting designer with a unique signature and an eye for detail - minimalist style with a playful touch. The Skygarden Pendant is one of his masterpieces, with its dome structure on the outside and a vintage plasterwork on the inside. Why Don't People Buy Flos Skygarden 1? I think that's a wrong question to ask. Yes, we know it is recession time, and large expenditures are either put on hold or postponed, but a modern touch to the living room or kitchen can never be postponed. Not yet. The real question is, Do people know how do the Skygarden Pendants would look like in their kitchen or living room? Seeing is believing - and we are believers. Take a look at the pictures below to believe this for yourself - why won't you consider a Skygarden in Matt Gold, Matt White, Rusty Brown, or Shiny Black? Flos Skygarden 1 Pendants - available in White, Gold, Black, and Brown Flos Skygarden 1 pendants, designed by Marcel Wanders. You've got to love those colors! An excellent arrangement and design of a group of Black Skygarden Pendants from Flos. If you prefer the brown finish, here's how a Flos Skygarden 1 in Rusty Brown would look in a modern flat.  Are you still here? If you were mouth-watering over the above fittings and you're wondering, Where Can I Get One of These Pendants? - just click on the image. Read more about it here. Or go here. You won't be sorry!