Friday 8 November 2013

Planet lamp

The Studio K Planet lamp is a highly desirable piece of Australian industrial design. Its simplistic shape and bold colours captured the imagination of post-war Australia and it is still being produced (although in limited quantities) today by Planet Lighting.

Designed in 1962 by Bill Iggulden, the Studio K lamp was the 'it' item among the general public and  many architects and designers. Strong and durable with an industrial edge, the lamp won many awards such as the Australian Design Award and the Prince Philip Design Prize: not bad for a task lamp produced by an Australian family business.

Orange Studio K Planet lamp

Last month an original Studio K Planet lamp took up residence at the Sow's Ear in Son #1's room. The new orange lamp replaces an old ikea one which lacked personality.

It makes a fabulous desk and reading light as it can be adjusted and angled to suit the task you are completing. It also has a decent length cord that reaches the only powerepoint in the room. Son #1 likes the new lamp too, thankfully!

Planet lamp

We feel cool owning one of these iconic lamps. 

12 comments:

  1. You're more than entitled to feel cool for owning this beauty:-) How great to learn about one of your Australian industrial design icons, it's a true stunner!!!

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    1. Oh thanks Tove. Australia has a great history of design...but not too many people know it! xx

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  2. I am just about to buy a couple of Anglepoise type 75's, but now that I've seen your lovely Planet lamp, I would much rather have Aussie studio K's. Are they still in production?

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    1. Yes. Still in production. Just contact Planet Lighting - I think they release a few every so often. xx

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  3. Such a lovely shape and colour. Are these hard to find? mel x

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    1. Thanks Mel. No they're not hard to find but it's just getting the right colour.

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  4. That's a great lamp. Son #1 is a lucky boy, and you have every right to feel cool...because you are.

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    1. Ha! Cool only in the eyes of those with a discerning eye, Dana! xx

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  5. Ooh All shiny and new! It's a great colour!
    We have one I got for $2 at the local trash and treasure when the twins were outside waiting in a pram. It is very heavy with a cast iron base and the word 'planet' on its sticker. It is black enamel with a cream enamel interior. I nearly painted it bright gloss when I found it but luckily found out a bit about it first. It has a 30's feel to it so I think it might be the Orbit but it's hard to find a picture of those models. It still works as well as ever.

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    1. Actually it has that 50's fridge look about it. I might post on it and see what you think.

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    2. Yes! Do! Glad you didn't paint it. And I have to say I paid a bit more for mine. $2 is a steal! xx

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  6. We have a red floor Planet lamp that was my mother's in the 70s. She had it in her study. We needed to get it re-wired and it heats-up pretty quickly, but I love it. It's one of my favourite things.

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