Showing posts with label Peter Fiell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Fiell. Show all posts

1000 Lights by Charlotte & Peter Fiell (2013)

, 20 Jul 2015

Is there anything sexier than a chair? Of course, Lamps and lighting items are absolutely sexier. They have inspired great artists and designers to create marvellous creations that still leave me in awe. I bought this book in my local bookshop, way more expensive that in Amazon, but it is still a very good price for a good quality book.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
> Perfect coffee table or beside table book.
> A good illustrated introduction on the history of electric lighting.
> Decent short explanatory texts accompany every image, right to the point but informative.
> Foot references to the period to which the lamps belong (right beside the page number).
> Good indexes.
> Great visual guide of lamps design with full-colour gorgeous photos.
> Good quality edition with glossy thick paper and hard cover at a great price.
> Great sizing and format, very easy to tuck away or put on your coffee or bedside table.
> Explanations in English, French and German. Great to improve your vocabulary in your non-native languages if you are interested or give it as a gift to an overseas friend.
> Fully orgasmic.


DOWNSIDES
= The books does limit itself to the 20th century so no designs from the 2000s. This being the case, many of the daring innovative contemporary lighting are not included.
= The book is unevenly organised. The 600+ pages covering the 20th century are heavily sided on the first half of the century, so much so that 456 pages are devoted to the period that goes to the 60s, while the rest is devoted to the 70s, 80s and 90s.
= Short in British and Spanish designers, while French and Italian ones are overwhelmingly present.
= If you are looking for a guide with plenty of explanations, a professional approach to lamp design and more details about the designers and the history of each item, or clear design periods go elsewhere.
 = The fact that the explanations are in three languages forces the comments to be shorter and less detailed.