Light List 3, and Other Beautiful Things Around the Globe

After over two months of traveling around the globus (italy, greece, israel, egypt, japan and a quick stint in the united arab emirates) I snapped a good few lights that I wanted to share with you that I was, in fact, VERY excited about. Traveling through 5 countries that boast tremendous amounts of historical sites made each and every moment of contemporary lighting and design even more bright and aesthetically pleasing. It's been way too long since I've blogged at NWNS, so here it is: "Light List 3, and Other Beautiful Things Around the Globe":

(BEWARE OF BAD PHOTOGRAPHY!)

I've decided (but am too afraid to say out loud i.e. offline) that I really dislike Nelson's Bubble Lamps (probably because of the IKEA copies that make it into every dorm room in America) ... but I really liked these identical, clustered, and randomly leveled upside-down-table-lamp pendant lamps spotted in Pisa, Italy. They didn't lean.

In Florence, Italy (but pretty much everywhere), these way oversized ceiling lamps covered in dark coloured tulle are never hanging by themselves and are always magnificent.

This seems to mimmic those retro point-in-every-direction ceiling lamps, but with a suction-cup-ball twist. Rome, Italy.

Murano, Italy is famous for its glass making, and if you've been to Venice's Doge's Palace, or, in fact, any roofed location in the vicinity, you WILL see a Murano Glass Chandelier, and there is nothing really contemporary about any of them ... except this one, with its white on white action. Its the vintage and the now hanging from one Venetian ceiling.

Well, these two are a bit ugly, but perhaps if they hung in a sleeker cafe, and perhaps with a couple more globes working, they would have been ok? Murano, Italy

In Jerusalem, Israel these ice cube pendants remind me of the ceiling lamp in the Tony Owen Partners designed "Moebius House" ... just square.

And in Tokyo, Japan, another as-if-randomly-placed set of ceiling lamps that remind of transparent wire-woven balloons. Perfect.

And a couple other quick snaps of great design...

Philip Stark designs the Asahi Brewery Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

The fantastic interior of the Abu Dhabi International Airport. A little bit claustrophobic despite its grandeur.

The coolest watch I saw the whole trip. In Florence, Italy.

A reflection of my self, mouth watering at some new colourful Alessi products.

This beautiful moment of great design was, in fact... a BANK. I would pay, to have you guys store my money. Florence, Italy.

VENINI ... a name I knew nothing about, but now is everything I want. Fell in love with a $500 hour glass that only lasts 12 minutes. Didn't buy it. Murano, Italy.