The RF200 table lamp – versatile design for spaces large & small

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For the next instalment in my ongoing partnership with Carl Hansen & Søn, I’m focusing on the latest addition to its growing range of timeless and beautiful lighting: the RF200 table lamp.

Launched just before Christmas and also known as the ‘Petal’, the lamp takes its inspiration from trees, with a chunky trunk-like base and a pair of curved reflectors that resemble a leafy canopy. It’s the work of Danish designer Rikke Frost, who grew up in the small town of Bov and spent several years in London before returning to Denmark to set up her own studio and teach at the Aarhus School of Architecture. The RF200 is her second piece for Carl Hansen & Søn (the first was the stunning ‘Sideways’ sofa), and her aim was to strike a balance between two contrasting but equally appealing surfaces. The result is elegant, versatile and gently playful, offsetting richly grained, textural wood with cool, smooth metal.

The RF200 showcases not only Rikke’s love of organic, nature-inspired shapes, but also her ability to combine different materials and craft traditions. But what makes it particularly interesting is the way the base and reflectors can be mixed and matched to suit different interior styles and settings. The base comes in a choice of oiled oak, black oak and walnut and the reflectors in white, brushed aluminium or brass, allowing for nine different configurations in total. I borrowed an oiled-oak and brass version to style in my own home, and I was very impressed with its mix of form and functionality.

When in use the lamp creates a wonderfully warm and inviting atmosphere, illuminating upwards as well as dispersing light downwards. It’s therefore ideal for large spaces, adding a cosy pool of light that helps to ‘zone’ different areas – forming a ‘room within a room’, as Carl Hansen & Søn CEO Knud Erik Hansen puts it. That certainly proved true in our bedroom – by far the biggest room in our house – where I used it to define and enhance the armchair nook that I’ve created in one corner. The soft glow was the perfect antidote to the winter gloom, and it provided exactly the right level of light for reading without any glare.

But the RF200 also works brilliantly in small spaces – especially as it looks great from any direction, meaning it can be angled to fit on narrow surfaces such as shelves, bookcases and console tables. As well as using it the main bedroom, I tried it out in our compact guest room, where it slotted perfectly onto the windowsill, and on the cupboard in my tiny home office. In both cases, it enhanced the mood without taking up valuable space, and it stood out beautifully against the minimalist decor.

In all the above settings, I was struck by the lamp’s simple but sculptural shape and the way it makes a statement even when switched off – always the sign of an enduring lighting design. And it even looks striking from above, making it an excellent choice for low side tables.

Definitely another Scandinavian classic in the making!

The RF200 ‘Petal’ table lamp is available to buy now, with prices starting at £242 / €272. Find details of stockists near you here. 

All photography by Abi Dare