Long after Poul Henningsen’s demise, lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen still celebrates and cherishes the lifelong collaboration with the influential designer by reinventing the iconic PH Lamp series with new sizes, colours and finishes. Inspired by Henningsen’s fascination with the interplay between colour and light, and the interior trends of today, Louis Poulsen introduces pale rose coloured glass shades to the PH 3 ½-3 Pendant and PH 2/1 Table lamp this summer.

Expressing individuality

Originally introduced in the lates 1920s, the coloured glass shades were meant to provide people with warmth and individuality without compromising on the quality of light. Several colours were introduced over the years to the PH lamp series including red, amber and yellow.

The pale rose tint was first seen on Henningsen’s extraordinary seven-shade glass crown Septima, called Rosa Septima. Three decades later, the same faint, rosy hue was used on the inner sides of the beautiful brass shades of the iconic PH Artichoke. But this is the first time that the pale rose shade is seen on Henningsen’s classic three-shade system, aptly named the PH Pale Rose collection.

This special collection made its debut at the recent Milan Design Week in the historic Taveggia patisserie. The famous cafe was transformed into a Pale Rose installation, showcasing both the new PH Pale Rose collection, as well as showpieces of the iconic PH Artichoke and PH Septima made in the elegant pale rose colour. The collection subsequently made an appearance at 3daysofdesign with a sensory installation.

Related: 7 memorable installations at FuoriSalone 2022

Humanising light

The shape of the PH Pale Rose collection’s shades centres around the reflective three-shade design Henningsen crafted in 1926. The revolutionary system is based on a logarithmic spiral, with the centre of the light source placed in the spiral’s focal point. That creates directed downward light and an inviting, soft, diffused glow outwards. This was Henningsen’s answer to his mother’s wish for more flattering, softer light in an era when homes were still transitioning to electric lighting and incandescent bulbs, which effects were more utilitarian than aesthetic.

Both PH Pale Rose variants are just as captivating with the light turned off, creating new poetic spaces with their opal glass shades. The glossy surfaces on top of the mouthblown Italian glass shades lend a fresh sparkle to the timeless classics. On the underside, they are carefully sandblasted in white, giving the glare-free pendant and table lamp a depth and texture that creates an air of warm sophistication and comfort. The bespoke shades are supported by brushed brass frames, which left untreated, will patinate beautifully over time and add to the collection’s elegance.

In keeping with the PH 2/1 Table design DNA, the PH 2/1 Pale Rose Brass Table lamp’s frame also features a brushed brass go-through switch on the stem, near the base – another thoughtful detail linking this stylish reissue to the 96-year-old original.

The PH Pale Rose collection is undoubtedly a whimsical, modern-day classic that looks good in any space. In Singapore, this special collection is available at Louis Poulsen showroom (5 Purvis Street) and on louispoulsen.com. For customers in other Asian countries, orders can be placed online or purchased at Louis Poulsen showrooms in Korea and Taiwan.

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