House Lamps by Architect Lauren Daley.

Lauren Daley, a San Francisco Bay Area architect is the creator of my new wish list item, the House-Lamp. She started creating the House-Lamps to combine a couple of her greatest joys: making things with her own two hands and architectural design. After being successfully funded on Kickstarter, Daley is now selling three models of these hand-crafted, architecturally inspired luminaries.



Each House-Lamp is lovingly crafted by using a combination of high tech CNC and laser cutting machines and more traditional woodworking skills. Every component of the lamp is hand finished including the bases, wiring, and model. This creates an elegant and precise lamp with a lot of hand crafted charm.

The lamps have a standard bulb with a shade for tasks done at your desk, bedside reading, and everyday use. The houses are illuminated with an led bulb and are more decorative, acting as a perfect night light.

There are 3 main designs available and each is available with either a solid wood base or a plywood base with a natural finish:

The Eco Style House Lamp:


With laser etched photo voltaic panels that tilt towards the sun, louvered windows, and exposed beams, this house evokes a simple and environmentally aware lifestyle.




The Bungalow Style House Lamp:


With a welcoming front porch, a warm hearth, and quaint windows, this is a cozy house. One could envision this in the rustic woods or sited on a tree-lined street.




The Modern Style House Lamp:


In the office or at home, this lamp shines. Sleek with character, clean, and contemporary. This house glows at two levels with its laser etched outdoor balcony.




Each design can come as a combination illuminated house + task lamp, or just a stand alone illuminated house.

Sizes:

Each House-Lamp is approximately 18” tall, 14” long, and 7-1/4” wide. The sizes of each house model varies with the design style, averaging about 5-1/2” tall, 8-1/2” long, and 5-1/2” wide. The shades measure 9" in diameter. Because the lamps are hand made, slight dimensional variations occur.

The three lamps cost $250 each and can be pre-ordered here.

Just The Houses
If you just want a beautiful illuminated house, without the desk lamp and shade, then you will want to check out the lamps that are simply the architectural models. The three house styles come without the task lamp as an option:



These three houses can be made on either the stained, plain solid wood base or you can get them on the birch plywood base. The houses are lit with an LED bulb just like the House-Lamps shown above. The only difference is that you won’t have the task lamp and shade.




Model kits of DIY houses are also available on the House Lamp site.

Once Homes To Dolls, Now Modern Light Fixtures.

Artist Peter Waltz builds houses. But not the kind you live in, the kind you live with.

Peter has been working with found objects like Electrolux vacuums, old PA speakers, even hanging planter baskets, for many years, but it was his series of House Lights that captured my attention.

With a BFA from Tyler school of art in Philadelphia, Peter says he was always searching for items that can be transformed, reworked and renewed. Especially items that could serve as a vessel for light. Then came the houses.



"When I work with them, they tell a certain story about how they need to "remodeled". Whether it be maintaining the original paint, forcing them to rust, or polishing to a steel finish, they are all different. I guess these days I'm the only one in the country that can still "flip" a house." Peter writes, undoubtedly with a smile.


above: the artist, Peter Waltz, beneath one of his lights

His House Lights, which can be wall mounted or used as table lamps, are mini mid-century suburban style vintage dollhouses. The ranch homes, two story homes or split level homes beg to be explored. With little patios, dormers, and multi pane windows they have the charm of a 'home sweet home' with the edginess of a modern art piece - and a functional one at that.

I believe some to be the actual tin litho homes by Marx, T. Cohn and Wolverine Supply & Mfg.Co which are shown below:



Below is a T. Cohn tin litho home as originally appeared and after Peter's treatment and wiring:


And with his process of forced rusting or polishing, he turns them into functional finds that cast beautiful shafts of light and shadow. Just take a look.










close ups and details:






Prices range from $300.00 to $700.00 USD. I suggest you buy one of his homes before you can't afford them. If still available, prices and more information can be found at Peter's site here.
special thanks to my modern met on notcot