I’ve always been interested in how things are designed. How they work, how they look and how they feel. My environment inspires me, whether in the city, in nature or by other designers. When I’m really inspired, I design things for myself. Sometimes just for the challenge and experience of it.

The two lights shown here were designed, materials sourced and hand built by me. The first one, Hedgehog, is a small table lamp made entirely of copper. It uses an oval tube that shines light upward and reflects off a mirror mounted to the back off the tube. The light from the mirror spreads out on the surface it’s sitting on, but can also be tilted to direct the light to walls or objects around the room. The exterior has about 80 copper rivets hand-soldered on and sticking out all over it, with six rivets connecting the seam in the back of the tube, hence the name Hedgehog. The lighting effect creates a very warm, rich glow.

The second light, Wave Lamp, utilizes three lights mounted inside a steel shell. One light pointing upwards and two down. The overall effect I was trying to capture was the movement of water. I had steel plates pressed to form the ripples. Learning some basic welding techniques, I assembled a box from the pressed steel. I then used a grinder to create swirl marks in the steel, similar to a technique used by David Smith the sculptor. The overall effect is a cool, blue rippling object that’s suspended from the ceiling and shimmers as one walks past.

Other projects I involve myself in are restoration of old cars, a 100+ year old house that needs constant care, designing furniture and other objects that are born out of necessity or just inspiration. Even outdoor showers for neighborhood friends. Design is all around us, and can inspire us everyday.