Contemporary Wooden Lamps From LZF

I love it when designers use materials in unusual ways and LZF Lamps from Spain have done just that with their i-club table lamps.

Using translucent slivers of wood for shades and polished steel bases, the beautiful grain is higlighted when the lamps are on and give a solid, sleek, almost 50's look when they're off.

Ideal for use in offices or hotels, these lamps simply look cool.

Enough said.

Allium Lamp by Hannah Nunn

I've loved Hannah Nunn's lamps for ages and my personal favourite is this allium table lamp.

Hannah has come up with a genuinely unique look and feel with her lamp collection and her designs suit both modern and traditional homes.

These lights represent amazing value for money too, with the smaller lamps lke this one costing less than £60!

The designs are laser cut engraved giving great detail and with a low energy bulb or 40W max standard bulb, give a warm glow through the honey coloured parchment.

Simply stunning.

Chinese Scottish Fusion Lamp From Porta Romano

High end interior furnishings designer, Porta Romano, have a new range of lamps and shades with a Scottish feel - the Caledonia Collection.

This lamp illustrates the direction of the range with the fusion of a Chinese Mah Jong styled lamp base and a tweed lamp shade.

I think this combination looks great, not least because there's a certain thistle-like spikiness to the base which hints at the wild and windswept grouse moors of Scotland where a good Tweed jacket is nigh on essential!

The Cosy Table Lamp from Muuto

Muuto are a finnish design house showcasing the talents of young Scandinavian designers.

I spotted this Cosy Table Lamp designed by Harri Koskinen for muuto and it reminded me of some tumblers my mother had back in the 70's. At the time, smoked glass seemed to be everywhere from vases through to tables but quickly fell out of fashion.

I guess there's a certain irony to placing a light in a smoked glass container but I do love the way the bulb's filament is accentuated.

This is definitely more of a statement piece than a functional light but fun al the same!

The Piano Lamp

QisDesign from Taiwan have created this super elegant table lamp which is fun to use too!

The Piano Lamp allows you to play with the light by touching the "keys" which, because they are LEDs, will not burn.

The lamp gives off sufficient light to allow you to read and would look fabulous in a modern home or even better, on your office desk.

I could play with one of these lamps for hours and am keen to get my hands on one - literally!

Piloh Recycled Lamps

Piloh is the brainchild of Italian designer, Paola Santilli.

Continuing the current trend for recycling, reusing or repurposing unwanted or discarded everyday object, Piloh have designed these lamps made from the sort of junk many throw away.

Certainly not to everyone's taste, there's nonetheless something I find appealing about the texture of the felt shades in particular.

This blueberry lamp is the most accessible of the designs and being based on an original 60's lamp, could be reproducible - the majority of Piloh's lamps are however one-offs and as such, should be considered as functional art pieces rather than consumer goods.

There is no indication of pricing but these lamps are certainly thought provoking.