Apartment Therapy San Francisco

We first contacted i+n design a couple of weeks ago because we'd seen their modern ambient lights for sale on Craigslist. We were intrigued by the handmade wood and glue designs.

The amazing thing is that between the time of our first email and this post, the company has received so many commissions, including one for a $6,500 piece, that delivery time is now between four and six weeks. Craigslist and word-of-mouth are great, aren't they?

The founder of i+n design, Chaz Reetz-Laiolo, who has an MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, was inspired when he made a sunlight transference screen to hang in his newborn daughter's window. Then he created a nightlight. Then came cleaner, more tightly executed pieces.

This freestanding 48" sphere was made for a collector in Chicago.

The lights were initially made entirely of wood and glue. Because they were very fragile, i+n design then began building sub-structures out of lightweight bass wood to ensure a longer life span. They're still extremely lightweight, the largest size weighing just a few pounds.

The pieces are perfect for hanging lamps or subtle ambient illuminations. Prices range from $200 to $6,500, depending on custom order dimensions. They can also be customized so that they can be hung, or rest on the floor, or be set on a pedestal; they can use different light sources; and lights can be made of multiple woods, from walnut to oak to poplar, depending on whether the desired look is one that's solid or varied.