Serra Floor Lamp

The Serra Floor Lamp in Ivory is 40cm across and 165cm high, with a shade on a slim stem. At 165cm it is tall enough to light over the arm of a sofa rather than into it. The 40cm shade is narrower than the lamp is tall.

One hundred and sixty-five centimetres is tall for a floor lamp and it is a deliberate choice. It puts the light source above standing eye level, which means the lamp can sit in the open part of a room rather than being hidden behind a chair.

At 40cm across the shade is moderate, so the light is directional enough to read by and broad enough not to be a spotlight. That combination is harder to find than it sounds.

The caveat is the footprint against the height. A 165cm lamp on a base narrower than its shade is top-heavy, so it wants a spot where it will not be knocked, and it is not the lamp for a room with a toddler.