Unwinding the day with light
As dusk approaches, I turn on the lights in the room, one by one.
A pendant lamp, a small standing lamp by the desk.
Each time a light comes on, a different time from daytime quietly begins to flow.
When I'm busy with work and household chores, the day flies by in an instant, but I feel like the time I spend turning on the lights allows me to pause and take a deep breath.
I've always loved lighting, and I've gradually acquired pieces I like whenever I come across them.
Glass, stone, ceramic.
When the material changes, the way light spreads also changes.
Some lights cast their glow far and wide.
Some softly envelop.
Some beautifully highlight shadows.
Even though they are all "lights," their roles vary.
That's why at our house, we change the material and shape of the lighting in each room.
In the living room, where we relax, there's the soft, expansive light of glass that spreads throughout the space.
In the spot where I read or ponder, there's the quiet presence of stone.
And in the bedroom, where I fall asleep, there's the gentle light of white porcelain that allows light to pass through.
Perhaps choosing a light is choosing how you want to spend your time there.
Amidst busy days, it quietly settles my mind.
This time, it's a story about my favorite lighting.
Adorned with universal beauty: Holophane pendant lamp
In the living room, I have a glass pendant lamp. It's from the French company Holophane, which has over a hundred years of history.
I change where I hang it depending on my mood, but recently it has settled near the sofa.
The clear glass shade doesn't obstruct the view and is so light that I almost forget it's there during the day. Fine lines are etched into the thick glass, giving it a neat appearance with a touch of dignity.
I love glass lighting because its expression changes when it receives light. During the day when the light isn't on, it quietly blends into the space, and as evening falls, its presence slowly emerges.
The light passing through the prismatic glass gently diffuses into the space, refracting finely through countless grooves. Though it's a single light, it naturally spreads throughout the room, softly illuminating the sofa, walls, and even the outlines of furniture.
It was originally created around the end of the 19th century to efficiently illuminate large spaces such as factories and train stations. The prismatic glass technology, designed to spread light evenly, was said to be revolutionary at the time.
Perhaps the reason Holophane lighting continues to attract so many people is that its form was born out of the purpose of delivering light, rather than for decoration.
There is a timeless beauty in things born out of necessity.
A tool created for practical use now showcases a quiet beauty in our living room. Each time I learn its background, I feel an even deeper affection for this lighting.
Cool stone and warm light: Travertine standing lamp
Next to my desk is a small travertine standing lamp. It's said to have been made in France in the 1960s.
The base is made of a natural stone called "travertine."
While it feels cool to the touch, its soft beige color gives it a certain warmth.
Travertine is a stone material that has been used in ancient Roman architecture, characterized by its unique pores and patterns formed over a long period. The small pockmarks and striped patterns on its surface are also natural creations, and I'm drawn to its irregular appearance.
Even during the day when the light isn't on, I often find myself gazing at it on the stool. The stone itself has a quiet presence, standing in the space like an objet d'art.
It doesn't transmit light like glass, nor does it softly envelop light like white porcelain, but stone has its own unique charm. When it receives light, its texture and shadows slowly emerge, revealing a completely different expression from daytime.
Many of the vintage furniture and tools in our home are acquired from Mr. Ushimaru at "Wormhole Furniture," and this lamp is one of them. Even old items are carefully maintained, so we can welcome them into our lives without hesitation.
I keep this lamp by my desk and use it when I read or do a little work at home.
Light透かす白磁の灯り。3RD CERAMICSのペンダントランプ「time」
This is the "time" pendant lamp from 3RD CERAMICS.
The way light is emitted differs completely with just a change in shape, and I couldn't narrow it down to one, so I ended up getting two.
The smooth texture of the white porcelain is beautiful, and its presence blends seamlessly into the space. Even during the day when the light isn't on, it has a quiet presence, like a small objet d'art.
When lit, the light softly passes through the white porcelain shade, and an orange glow subtly permeates the entire piece.
It doesn't project light far like glass, nor does it emphasize shadows like stone. The white porcelain light seems to softly envelop the light itself while gently spreading it into the space.
It appears to be made of highly translucent clay, and if you look closely, you can faintly see the finger marks from the potter's wheel.
The traces of craftsmanship that weren't visible during the day appear with the light. Each time I see this sight, I am moved by the profound depth of white porcelain as a material.
It's as if the time spent working with the clay is quietly etched into each line. I also love that this lighting has the warmth of human hands, something that uniform industrial products lack.
Hanging above the dining table is "Rappa" (trumpet).
As its name suggests, it features a shape that gently flares downwards. It directs light straight down, making it well-suited for a dining table and softly illuminating meal times.
When I see how beautifully it highlights the rough texture of the tableware and even the tiny water droplets on the glasses, I'm reminded again of the power of light to bring out the charm of food and tools.
Since it's coated with a very thin transparent glaze, it retains the soft appearance unique to white porcelain, yet can be easily wiped clean if it gets dirty.
Its combination of beauty and practicality makes it a very reliable item for daily use.
Being able to use it casually at the everyday dining table. That's another reason why I love this light.
"Shizuku" (droplet) is in the bedroom.
Its form captures the moment a drop of water spills, and even when unlit during the day, it stands like an objet d'art.
This shape, which gently embraces light within, is perfect for the bedroom before falling asleep.
When lit, the light diffused through the white porcelain gathers inside, and the potter's wheel lines become even more distinct.
Just gazing at its shadows, time mysteriously unwinds slowly.
There are nights when I close my book and simply gaze at the light.
Today was a lot, but oh well.
I feel my shoulders relax and my heart gently settle into a calm, round state.
Lighting up moments of breathing room in daily life
Turning on the lights in a room, one by one.
It feels like ushering in another kind of time into the house, slightly different from the hands of a clock.
Instead of brightening the entire room, I just turn on small lights where they're needed. I love those calm evenings spent with only indirect lighting.
Glass, stone, white porcelain.
When the material changes, the way light spreads and the atmosphere in the room also subtly change.
When I want to relax deeply.
When I want to spend quiet time reading a book.
When I want to unwind at the end of the day.
Each light plays its role in life, accompanying those moments.
Spending time in the soft light, I feel my busy mind gradually calm down.
Today, too, I turn on another light.
Such casual moments create small pockets of breathing room in daily life, gently unraveling a busy day.
