Copper Shines at NYC Design Week
Six designers call upon copper as the material of choice for a range of industrial designs
The use of copper in functional industrial design has been on the rise for some time now, especially since seeing it all over London Design Festival last September. We spotted six new products during this year’s NYC Design Week that prove even more designers are embracing the multifaceted, mutable material and making use of its exceptional range—from a shiny, jewelry-like polish to a beautifully weathered, worn-in patina—in accent pieces like lighting and specialty home products.
Castor
Comprised of just a few simple parts—base, arm and solid machined-aluminum casing for a 24-volt LED—the Coil Light by Castor is at once minimal and industrial. The lightweight, copper-plated table lamp is cleverly powered by a magnetic Apple laptop adapter, making it the perfect low power desk accessory.
Kaikado
Kaikado has been making high quality tea caddies by hand in their Kyoto studio since 1875, using the same 130-step process and even the same die-molds, but the “sentoku color” (copper) canisters and matching tea set are brand new. The air-tight containers are perfect for keeping fine teas safe from moisture and humidity, but can be used for storing just about anything—think fancy desk accessories. We love how the gold, silver and copper lids can be interchanged for a unique, mixed-metals arrangement.
Kiki Van Eijk for Cristalleries de Saint-Louis
We were almost blinded by the light bouncing off Dutch designer Kiki Van Eijk’s 15″ tall, $14,200 table lamp she designed for France’s oldest glass manufacturer. Using outdated molds that Van Eijk uncovered in the Cristalleries de Saint-Louis factory warehouse, the Matrice lamp breathes new life into the Art Deco-inspired design with interior LEDs that exaggerate the gem-like facets on the highly polished shade.
Pauline Deltour for DWR
Although initially debuted at London Design Festival last year, as part of the Wonder Cabinets of Europe exhibition, Parisian designer Pauline Deltour‘s copper Roulé trays were welcomed Stateside at the Wanted Design show this past week. Here, the beautifully made trays were presented on contrasting hollow mahogany tables that double as storage space, delicately blending form and function.
Tom Dixon
Always one to impress during design weeks, British designer Tom Dixon introduced a fresh take on his popular cast-iron Base lighting series by adding a solid spun-copper shade, polished to a super high shine. Available in three shapes and sizes, the versatile series is surprisingly adaptable.
Paul Loebach for Kontextür
For the home gardener who seems to have everything, Paul Loebach’s copper-plated x3 Watering Can—produced by Kontextür—is named after its production method. The pour spout and handle are both made from a single metal tube, bent three times and soldered onto the body of the can. The double handle allows it to be carried from the top when it’s full and from the side for watering. And, due to the beautiful material, the best part is that it’s so good looking you won’t have to store it away between uses.
Images courtesy of the respective brands
