These types of lamps go by many names — task lights, drafting lamps, or architect's lamps — because they're designed to illuminate blueprints and drafting papers. The adjustable head and neck can be moved without interfering with the wiring. Industrial designers have been re-envisioning the basic lamp since the 1920s, refining it and coming out with new designer and budget models.
- Jieldé Loft Desk Lamp - D6440: First designed in 1950, these lamps continue to be manufactured by French company Jieldé. Made from enameled steel and available in 18 colors at Horne for $1,100.
- Lampe Gras: Created in 1921 by Bernard-Albin Gras, these lamps were used by French architect Le Corbusier. Made of chrome, they're available for $560 (marked down from $660) at Brook Farm General Store.
- Tolomeo Desk Lamp: Designed in 1987, the Tolomeo's lamp head can be rotated 360 degrees using a handle. It's made of anodized aluminum and it's available for $395 at Design Within Reach.
- Angelpoise: The Angelpoise 'Original1227 in Chrome' was reissued in 2009 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first 1227 lamp, created by British designer George Carwardine. There are two versions: an aluminum model available in 3 colors for $250 or a chrome model for $350.
- Atelier Task Table Lamp: This lamp is a variation on the Jieldé design. Made from polished nickel, it's available at Restoration Hardware for $300.
- JJ Task Lamp: This lamp is an Italian design created by Centro Stile and first produced in 1937. Now produced by I Tre, it's made of aluminum and steel and sells for $167 at Y Lighting.
- Architect's Table Lamp: Pottery Barn's version of the architect's lamp is made from iron with an antiqued metal finish. There are two types: a basic one for $150 and a smart technology model ($200) that has two plugs for cell phones or electronics built into the base.
- Crane Grellow Desk Lamp: This lamp comes with an LED bulb in a high-gloss green-yellow (or 'grellow'). Made of powdercoated steel, it's avaialble at CB2 for $100.
- Hi-Light Task Lamp: Another variation on the Jieldé, this lamp comes from Pottery Barn Teen. It's available in 7 different colors for $60 (marked down from $80).
- Antifoni Work Lamp: This lamp has a halogen bulb, a steel frame, an aluminum reflector, and plastic joints. It's the cheapest of the bunch, available in silver or black at IKEA for $25.
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Ikea has a much nicer version that looks an awful lot like the $300 RH lamp.
One caveat about the Potter Barn teen lamp: I bought two of these for my daughter's room and it turns out that they take a globe bulb with a chandelier base, very tiny. They do not take bulbs with standard bases. Where I live I cannot seem to buy bulbs that fit in this lamp without getting the package home, opening it up, putting the bulbs in the lamps and finding that they don't work. In 2 years I've been able to buy a total of ONE bulb that fits in this lamp that actually creates light, and I've tried buying the bulbs at 10 different stores. This type of bulb is simply completely unreliable or else all of the manufacturers of this bulb are incapable of hiring delivery people who can get them to the stores intact, without breaking the filiment in every one of them. I've wasted a tremendous amount of money buying broken bulbs for these lamps and am very disappointed that the website and catalogue do not warn you, anywhere, that the lamps take a very non-standard bulb. I wouldn't have bought them if I'd known, that's for sure.
I just saw this version at Target, which has a much smaller scale. The shade on the Target version is not nearly as elegant as some of the others.
http://www.target.com/Adjustable-Metal-Table-Lamp/dp/B00065ZK6S/ref=br_1_4?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&qid=1278426502&searchView=grid5&sr=1-4&node=15744561&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&rh=&searchSize=30&id=Adjustable%20Metal%20Table%20Lamp&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin
i think you should also mention luxo lamps, which created the very first architect lamp in the late 1930s & is considered the standard. a luxo lamp was also used in the pixar logo & pixar had to recently settle w/ luxo for using the image. luxo lamps are absolutely great & their arms will not wear out & will stay where they are adjusted, an important feature in architect desk lamp. they're rather pricey but luxo also makes a budget series.
I was also thinking of Luxo lamps. I've had several for 30 years that still look and function like new.
Any suggestions for similar looking floor lamps? The Jielde version is way out of my budget.
I bought an old 1950's vintage shop lamp that is similar in shape to some of these at an estate sale for $5. The greenish paint was worn and scratched in some areas, and the lamp had garage grime on it. I used a gel stripper to remove the paint. Now it looks fabulous.
I think asinner is talking about the Forsa: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80146777
or even cheaper: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30148547
We have these Ikea lamps (Tral) at our bedsides and like them immensely, especially for the price ($25):
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40170707
francophile: HORNE (http://www.shopHORNE.com) also offers the Signal series from Jieldé. This was a line that was introduced in 2003 for a more residential market (as opposed to the industrial strength Loft series). The Signal desk lamp retails for $440 and the Signal Zig-Zag floor lamp retails for $610.
We hope this helps :)
Hi i just wanted to say that the Luxo was not the Original lamp, they licensed the design off of Anglepoise. Im not denying the Luxo is in anyway not a great lamp, i just think that Anglepoise should take the credit for the design as they do own the original patent. http://www.luxo.co.uk/the-luxo-story.aspx
Although they wont admit who sent them the lights they were Anglepoise 1209 lights and Luxo took this design and built upon it.
Anglepoise is now more known for its iconic 1227 design which in the UK has its own Royal Mail stamp and is widely rcognised as an innovative design
i really like the angelpoise- a very sturdy, well constructed and flexible lamp that looks as expensive as it is. i have a number of task lights (kind of addicted to them?) but the ultimate for me is the luceplan bap- stunningly simple, awesomely flexible and such a space age design.
I won a red Jielde desk lamp from AT in last year's holiday giveaway...I love it, but still don't know quite what to do with it. :(