Styled On

A glowing sack full of crystals? Perhaps, but we think it's brilliant. Devoid of the traditional chandelier's Marie Antoinette-esque decorative qualities, Diller, Scofido + Renfro's Light Sock enhances the quality of light from a single bulb through the faceted qualities of Swarovski crystals. Say goodbye to Versailles, and hello to truly contemporary thinking. 

What is it? Light Sock

Who to blame for this obsession of ours? We blame Swarovski for daring the New York-based architecture firm, Diller, Scofidio + Renfro to create a light that would not only utilize the crystals to their full potential, but also to challenge previous notions of what a chandelier actually is. Also, blame should be placed on Moss Gallery, one of the most inspiring design stores and spaces in New York City, which is where is first saw the Light Sock installation. Swarovski Crystal Palace unveiled the Light Sock in an exhibition at Design Miami in 2007 and it has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and Maison and Objet, Paris.

Why are we so obsessed with it? Diller, Scofido + Renfro deconstructed the traditional chandelier with brilliant simplicity – instead of the branching structure and pendant crystals of traditional chandelier, this "people's chandelier" is just a bag full of crystals. A single light source buried in the mass intensifies the optical effects of the cut glass beyond that of a typical chandelier. It's such a simple design and yet so striking - and so very DIY-able! A net, a bag full of crystals, and a single bulb on a wire is all they used and all you need as well to make your own light sock. Try it? We might! Watch the video below below for more on the thought process behind the sock and you'll be more obsessed too...

Are you feeling the Light Sock?