Apparently broom-style ambient lighting was sweeping the world of home decor on the floor of ICFF this year. The LED "Mood Broom" Lamp by Peteris ZIlbers Design seem like an easy IKEA hack in the making; a set of LED DIODER string lights glue gunned onto the back of a painted shop broom, and you've pretty much got the same effect at likely a fraction of the price. Could look great as ambient lighting in a loft or garage space...
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Lim C Table Lamp by Pablo Pardo for Pablo
• $250.00
• Design Within Reach

Since converting our dining table into a secondary desk I've been on the hunt for a task lamp with two features in mind: LED lighting for warm-white illumination and a minimal visual presence. There's a bevy of task and table lamps available, but Pablo Pardo's design is the first I've happened upon which seems to be capable of being "there" when turned off, while disappearing into the background while turned off. Rated for 50,000 hours of use and 85% more efficient than incandescent lamps, the Lim C is also available as a floor and variable height version, but I've got my eyes set on this ultra-slim magnetic mount model.

At the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, it's easy to get lost in all the exciting new designs being offered on the floor. But look up, and you'll see some pretty impressive lighting, too. Here are some of our favorites. More

At last week's Apartment Therapy meetup, designers Alvaro Soto and Mauricio Sanchez of formatters presented their design for a unique hanging light fixture. Its form was inspired by the shape of audio waves recorded during a dinner with friends, and you can build one yourself from a kit that will be available shortly. More

Inspired by Nancy's great Anthropologie Etsy Challenge post, I wondered if one could furnish an entire bathroom using Etsy. If it could be done, would it be a cohesive look, and would I even like it?! The answer is, mostly, yes. More

Whenever anyone asks me for a source for interesting contemporary lighting, I just about shout out the name "ROLL & HILL!". The NY-based company is doing really great work with an amazing group of designers and the quality is jaw-droppingly remarkable. This year at ICFF, they showed off a few new, very imaginative designs, here are two worth a longer look: More

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Bold looks for kitchen lights are having a moment. More and more, we are seeing bright colors and large industrial-style looks that previously would have been relegated to other rooms. More

Our first how-to video of the Spring 2012 series comes from John Gleeson Connolly, and it's called "How to Build a Hammered Light." It's by far our most complex how-to to date (including information on how to wire a light socket from an old extension cord!), but I was so inspired by his creativity that I thought that all of you would be inspired to create something after watching it, and some of you, like me, would try and make one (or a variation on the theme) yourself. More

Pendant lights can make a kitchen stand out, and they don't have to blow the whole budget to make a statement. More