Spotlight: micro-decorating move #16

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Lamps just want to have fun. Every Pixar movie reminds us that hidden inside the most innocuous lighting fixture is a reckless child.

Our desk lamps at home may have been tamed by the discipline of hybrid work, but they're waiting for recess. Why not call a time-out and see what they get up to?

If you live in a small space like I do, a full-sized Anglepoise might be too much, but the Mini Mini is irresistibly right. No matter how you position it, it seems ready to play:

I've had mine for years, and it's taken a liking to the vintage objects keeping it company. The soft cone of light it emits has a way of supercharging the qualities of anything it touches.

A ceramic bowl blends into a black tabletop; spotlit, it's a mesmerizing iris:

A cluster of lucite grapes is drab in natural light; the Mini Mini's beam turns it into something almost edible:

Sculptural objects seem flat without proper attention; given the right rays, they come to life:

The Mini Mini's swivelling spring-loaded body makes it perfect for spotlighting just about anything. It's portable enough to relocate easily and a built-in dimmer allows for tweaking your degree of accentuation.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, I recommend Ikea's Hektar work lamp, with its industrial vibe. The basic model comes with a USB port for charging your devices, and a version with wireless charging is available for slightly more.

It's part of a family of lamps, so you can go all-out in extending the factory-inspired look.

At the other end of the price spectrum is this oversized Anglepoise, with the scale and whimsy of a Pop Art sculpture:

If my place were big enough and I had the budget to match, this is the one I'd go for. It has the persuasive power to make an entire room feel like a playground.

Whatever size or price point you choose, make sure you allow your desk lamp's beam to point at unexpected things. Spotlighting your home's half-forgotten treasures is a great way to rediscover the delight of what's around you.

From the archives

Two summers ago, we looked at the power of secondary lighting. Written with the brightest months in mind, this article has a technique that works any time of year.

Guy's buys

Occasional finds, selected for you

This past Saturday, I spent part of the afternoon checking out the latest arrivals at Inabstracto, another vintage shop that never fails to satisfy. For colour-starved rooms, there's a fresh crop of handmade cushions by Canadian designer Bev Hisey that could be the answer.

These pieces are good examples of how juxtaposing creates design interest: circular die-cuts play off the square shape of each pillow. A "French blue" model followed me home, and the rest are sure to find their new destinations soon.

Thank you for reading.