Murano glass: fire, breath and seven centuries of craft
Since 1291 the glassmakers of Venice have worked on a small island in the lagoon. Here is how their furnaces, colours and chandeliers shaped the way we light a room.
9 articles
Materials & Craft
Glass, alabaster, brass, paper, stone and ceramic.
Light is shaped by the material it passes through or reflects from. Murano glass and opal glass, alabaster and marble, brass, paper and silk: what each material does to light, how it is made and how to care for it.
Alabaster lamps: the stone that glows
Few materials soften a bulb as beautifully as alabaster. Here is where the stone comes from, why it glows the way it does and how to keep a fragile lamp beautiful for decades.
Brass in lighting: shine, patina and warmth
Brass catches light like few other metals and changes with every year it is touched. Here is what it is made of, how its finishes differ and whether to polish it or let it age.
Paper lamps: washi, lanterns and soft light
Paper is the lightest of all lamp materials, yet it can calm an entire room. Here is how Japanese washi is made, where the lantern traditions began and how to choose and care for a paper lamp.
Fabric lampshades: silk, linen and the shape of light
A shade decides how a lamp lights a room as much as the bulb does. Here is how linen, silk and cotton differ, which shapes suit which bases and how to keep fabric shades looking fresh.
Caring for designer lamps: glass, metal, paper and fabric
Glass, brass, paper, silk and marble all age in their own way. How to clean and store designer lamps by material, and when a repair belongs in the hands of a professional.
Opal glass: the milky glow behind many classics
Switch on an opal glass shade and the bulb disappears into a soft, even glow. How milky glass is made, why it diffuses so well, and how to choose and clean it.
Marble and stone in lighting: weight, veins and balance
Stone gives a lamp weight, calm and a pattern no other material can copy. Marble, travertine and other stones in lighting, their finishes, and how to care for them.
Ceramic lamps: glaze, texture and handmade character
A drip of glaze, a pooled colour, a slight lean: ceramic lamps carry the marks of the kiln. Stoneware, porcelain and glazes in lighting, and how to choose and care for them.
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More sections
- IconsThe great designer lamps and the stories behind them.
- DesignersPortraits of the people who shaped light.
- RoomsLighting ideas for every room, from bedroom to garage.
- Outdoor & GardenOutdoor kitchens, gardens, roof terraces and pools at night.
- Lamp TypesCeiling, pendant, floor, wall, in-ground and LED lights.
- Light & TechnologyKelvin, CRI, lumens, LED, dimming and smart light.
- Styles & ErasBauhaus, Scandinavian, Italian, Art Deco and more.
- GuidesSizing, planning, buying and avoiding mistakes.