[Advertisement – this is a paid post in collaboration with Imero, but all words and opinions are my own]
Good lighting is key to creating a cosy, inviting and functional space, but in my experience it’s also one of the trickiest things to source – especially if you have a limited budget. So, today I want to introduce you to Imero, a new brand founded with the aim of making beautiful energy-efficient lighting accessible to more people. And there’s a chance to win one of its lamps for yourself – just read on for details.
Imero is the brainchild of Huddersfield-based Chris Stimson, whose previous inventions include an innovative LED bulb that was shortlisted for the Observer ‘Ethical Product of the Decade’ award in 2015. Frustrated by the awkward aesthetics of many existing energy-efficient lighting ranges, and sensing a gap in the market for stylish yet thoughtfully priced designs, he set about creating his own.
“With pendant and table lamps, the bulb is rarely a consideration in the design process for the fixture,” Chris explains. “So, you can have a beautiful fixture and a beautiful bulb, but they look wrong when paired together. Usually the stem of the bulb sticks out and this ruins the overall appearance. By contrast, we used the bulbs as the starting point, and the lines and curvature of each piece follow their form. The result is a series of fixtures and bulbs that look as if they were made for each other, because they were.”
Imero’s first collection, ‘Aspen’, is available now and encompasses a table lamp, small and large pendant lights, and trios and quartets that look fantastic suspended over dining tables and island units. All are available in black or brass, with frosted, smoked or golden-crowned LED bulbs; there are also ‘Classic Solo’ pendants, which can be paired with any bulb but which are slightly elongated to ensure the stem remains neatly hidden from view.
To test the range for myself, I borrowed a couple of table lamps and used them in various places around my home over the course of a week. I loved their minimalist, elegant expression, and the size is perfect – at 21cm tall, they’re large enough to create a statement but small enough to be incredibly versatile. I tried them out on bedside tables, my desk and the bar cart in the corner of the dining room, and they worked brilliantly in every setting.
I was particularly impressed with the bulbs, which really do look as if they’ve grown out of the wider fixtures. I chose the frosted option, which gives a uniform 360-degree light distribution and doesn’t cast any shadows on the walls. It also features Imero’s ‘Dim to Warm’ technology, which means you can switch in seconds from bright task lighting to a softer glow – something that’s particularly important for me, as I work from home and like to alter the atmosphere over the course of the day. The strongest setting was ideal for reading, writing and design research, whereas the lowest setting was more like candlelight and proved perfect for relaxing in the evening or just adding a bit of additional ambiance to gloomy corners. (The golden-crowned bulb and smoked-glass bulbs, by the way, are also dimmable).
Prices for Imero’s collection range from £38 for a single pendant to £428 for a large quartet, and individual bulbs start at £26. There are also more designs in the pipeline, including an intriguing bulb concept inspired by distorted candlelight and another that uses a unique glass-cutting process.
I’ve teamed up with Imero to give away an ‘Aspen’ table lamp in black or brass. To enter, just head over to this Instagram post and follow the instructions. The giveaway is open worldwide (although please note the lamp is currently available with a UK or EU plug only) and closes at midnight UK time on Thursday 8th October. The winner will be picked at random and notified shortly afterwards. Good luck!
Table-lamp images by Abi Dare; all other photography via Imero
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