Room by Room – the Henningsen PH5

This week, Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks takes a look at lighting that has stood the test of time ““ the PH5 by Poul Henningsen.

Designed in 1958, this spun aluminum and sand-blasted glass hanging pendant has become ubiquitous throughout most of Denmark. With a form created from 3 shades of expanding diameter with a crowning concave curved cone, light is distributed right onto the surface below while also being thrown out above the shade area. All of this is accomplished without seeing the actual light source. Available in white as well as a myriad of bright colors, this pendant can either harmonize gently with its surroundings or become a focal point itself. Although he never finished his schooling as an architect, Henningsen created a line of iconic functional pieces, beginning his collaboration with Louis Poulsen lighting in 1925, with this gorgeous piece still distributed by Poulsen today.

Bright color and Scandanavian styling is such strong part of this pendant lamp that it became a clear inspiration for my handmade choices for today. A cotton pillow brings in bright color with a open-form graphic, playing off hand-printed linen napkins with a retro floral motif. A caramelized bamboo clock has cutout numbers to mark the time. A walnut plywood coffee table in a basic form includes a felt sling to hold your books and magazines, while preserved moss fills a leaf-shaped wooden bowl.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.