The Smarty Lamp: Style Meets Science to Create Contemporary Classic
Light up your life with this plastic fantastic puzzle product...

Wondering how to fill those quiet times during the ‘crunch’? A Brighton-based online purveyor of ‘smart art’ lamps has the answer to spending your spare time purposefully. Thanks to Smarty Lamps  https://www.smartylamps.co.uk  - part geometric puzzle, part interior decor ‘must-have’ for spring and summer 09 – you can give your brain a workout while creating a fabulous, contemporary  accessory for your home, business or special event. And, for those who’d rather furnish themselves with a finished accessory, you can buy a completed Smarty Lamp instead. SmartyLamps.co.uk is only UK retailer of the lamps to offer them ready-made to customers.

Available in the UK since 2004, Smarty Lamps have gained a cult following amongst the hospitality industry, discerning home ware buyers, maths boffins and style denizens alike. A truly ‘plastic fantastic’ product, the lamps are based around identical, interlocking, quadrilateral, white pieces which form a plethora of designs – ranging from cubes to spheres and other funky shapes - limited only by your imagination.

The Smarty Lamp originates from the IQ Light system designed in 1972 by Danish packaging designer, Holger Strøm, who discovered that the rhombus with a ‘hook’ on each corner was the best element for lamp building. His designs have since been used at major events - including the Geneva Motor Show, Glade Festival and Womad - and all products retain Danish names to this day in homage to Strøm. 

And now, the SmartyLamps.co.uk studio in Brighton offers the full range of Smarty Lamps designer retro lampshades originating from the IQ Light system. For those who enjoy a challenge, all designs are sold as flat pack ‘puzzle kits’ containing from 10 to 120 pieces (the 30 piece kit is standard for beginners) and instructions for self assembly. Multiple packs can be combined to create an even more impressive lamp, and each kit contains inspirational patterns for 22 different shapes. This is an addictive puzzle with a purpose. By solving it, the owner has created more than a lampshade – it’s a piece of art!

The largest lampshade design, ‘Elektra’, is 80cm in diameter and comprises 120 pieces; the smallest, ‘Enok’, is 30 x 19cm and comprises nine pieces. Most popular is the ‘Cosmo sphere / globe shape made comprising 30 pieces in 24cm diameter, 32cm diameter or 45cm diameter options. Prices start at just £9 for ‘Enok’.

Jacqueline Hammond, proprietor of SmartyLamps.co.uk, says:

 “The Smarty Lamp creates a beautiful, mathematical centrepiece to light up any room. It’s a practical exercis e with a glowing result. It all falls into place when you start to understand the geometry of the shape and follow a pattern. Think Tetris, ice cream cone inspired, space age origami. Interior design has never been this satisfying!”

She adds:

 “Even with the basic 30 piece pack, up to 15 different shapes can be created. Once you’ve made one, you’ll want to make them all. If you fancy a change of lampshade, simply take it down and construct another – and save money in these cash-strapped times. Or add an extra pack and make your design bigger.”