Apartment Therapy

Best Task Lights 2008

Luxo

This is a category that I haven't revisited in a long time, but which has grown more exciting in the last few years. With the improvement of LED light, task lamp design has taken on a new life in terms of shape and form. That said, we're not yet convinced that the relatively cooler light is better for working under, though it is undoubtedly better for energy conservation. Here's our roundup for 2008 (Tell me yours: maxwell@apartmenttherapy.com).

• Luxo L-1 by Jac Jacobsen for Luxo: Designed in 1937, this is what everyone's copied and which Pixar made their first film about.

• The Anglepoise Lamp by George Carwardine: Designed in 1933, this is still produced in England by Anglepoise and may have really been the one that gave birth to the Luxo.

• Jield Lamps: The reproduced originals, straight from 1950's France.

• Tizio Lamp by Richard Sapper ($380): Another classic, this one from the 70's - reminiscent of Darth Vader.

• Lester Office Lamp by Vico Magistretti ($400): Simply elegant and rotates 360 degrees.

Tertial Lamp

• Tertial Worklamp from Ikea ($9): This is the classic Lux shape interpreted by Ikea.

• Kila Lamp by Harry Allen from Ikea: No longer sold, but I just had to include it because it was so great.

Leaf Lamp

• Leaf Lamp by Yves Behar ($500): Made by Herman Miller, this is a remarkable new take on the cantilever form with LED lighting.

• Tolomeo from Artemide by M. De Lucchi & G. Fassina ($250): A perennial favorite and non-halogen solution

• Diffrient Task Lights ($265): Highly rated in ID Magazine's product survey. Moves incredibly well and uses mini-flourescent CFL which doesn't heat up the shade.

• Flos Kelvin T Adjustable Table Lamp by Antonio Citterio ($312): The nicest update on the pantograph arm we've seen yet.

Kelvin T