Do you have a wistful digital folder of design concepts you wish were real? (Or is that just Pinterest?) Well, I do, and it's rare and satisfying to see things make it out of there and into the world. I've held onto a sexy beta photo of the Lightovo Milo lamp for a few years, hoping to someday find a pragmatic stab at a planter/lighting combo in production. While googling around for ideas to make the impending Portland winter less gray, I realized Lightovo finally did so themselves, and their green statement lights are on offer IRL.
The lamp bodies are hand blown glass, with large asymmetrical side holes for access and airflow. The bottom is formed to help keep the planter in place. The top cap and outer planter come in two types of wood and bright white finishes, giving a gentle counterpoint to both the hard materials and greenery.
The lamp is intended for both hanging and desktop use, which opens up an interesting range of placements and plant-scapes. The Milo also comes in a half scale "Baby" size. Perfect for your hip, terrarium-obsessed toddler's room.
Adding plants to lighting isn't impossible but it is hard. Plants can be delicate, bulbs can be hot, and water and electricity aren't known for playing amicably. Overall Lightovo seems to sidestep the big issues. Per usual, many of the plants in the product shots would be a poor fit, at least for a traditional lamp. However, Milo uses 5.5 watt LED lights with a 4000k color temp, reducing heat issues while closely mimicking the sun's rays.
This is good news for everything from simple cacti to fussy orchids. The large port holes seem to give enough space to water comfortably, and the mating planter and base keep things in place if it gets knocked around a little. You could even leave standing water in the bottom if your plant of choice prefers a humid home.
Living in an aggressively unsunny city for half the year, I'd certainly appreciate a well-lit place of honor for a beloved cactus. A simple glass and fern assembly would also make a chic update on your IKEA chandelier, or a big visual statement on your Pinteresting desk.
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