9 Homes That’ll Convince You Your Space Needs a Noguchi-Style Paper Lantern
Even if you’re not acquainted with the name Isamu Noguchi, chances are you’re familiar with his iconic collection ofpaper lights known as Akari. Not only are his oversized paper globe lanterns well-loved by popular designers likeLeanne Ford, but you can also spy them in the homes of many stylish celebrities likeJulianne MooreandAshley Tisdale. IKEA even has acollection of pendantsinspired by his works.
According to theNoguchi Museum, the artist modeled his Akari collection on the lanterns used for night fishing on the Nagara River. Made from traditional washi paper and bamboo, Noguchi’s lights, which come in a variety of sizes and a few shapes, have remained in strong demand ever since their inception in 1951. Their organic quality lends an easy earthiness to any space, while their sculptural form creates a strong focal point. When lit, Noguchi’sorb designresembles the soft glow of the moon.
If you should find yourself wanting to change up the lighting in your space, these nine super-chic homes prove that you can’t go wrong with aNoguchi-style paper light.
A Minimal Bungalow in Long Beach
Inspired by Australia and the American Southwest, homeownerTravis Wayneand his husband, Nick, transformed their formerly dark blue home into aminimalist’s paradise. They relied on white paint and neutral furniture to create a blank canvas that allows their collection of found objects and vintage decor to shine. In their living room, a paper light hangs overhead, quietly blending in with the wall to create a soft focal point overhead in the room.
An Open-Plan Loft in NYC
When your home has a wide-open floor plan, like theloft in TribecathatNatalie Birdshares with her husband, you have to get creative to make the space feel like it has distinct “rooms.” Bird utilized a combination of rugs and lighting to carve out various zones, such as the jute rug and round paper light in her living area. For a fun twist, she hung a disco ball in the adjacent dining room, which echoes the light’s orb shape for cohesion.
A Small Apartment in the Netherlands
Being from Miami,Michelle Arrazcaetawas eager to infuse her personal style and Cuban heritage into herapartment in the Netherlands. She had dreamt of a golden couch with a black-and-white rug, and that’s exactly how she decorated her living room. Plants and colorful accessories bring a tropical touch to the historical Dutch mantel, while a paper lantern hung over the room’s center offers a sculptural statement without stealing the show.
A Colorful Home in North Carolina
DesignerStacey-Ann Blakebelieves your space should be a reflection of you, and she wholeheartedly embraces this philosophy in theNorth Carolina homeshe shares with her husband and three children. To reflect her family’s Jamaican heritage, color is a big part of the home’s aesthetic. Bright orange furniture pops against bold blue walls in the living room, while a large paper light draws the eye up without competing with its surroundings.
A Japanese-Inspired Loft in LA
Even though theLos Angeles loftwhereAmanda Gunawanresides was once an old, industrial factory, she was able to see its potential. There was something about the way the light hit that made her vision for the space come clear: a Japanese-inspired ryokan. Drawing from nature, the home has a calming, earthy quality, thanks to light wood furniture, an assortment of artisanal ceramics, and — you guessed it! — no shortage of paper lanterns.
A Wooden Cabin in South Africa
It’s not every day you find awooden cabin on stilts, so when艾米Keevyand her fiancée,Maryke, walked into their home in South Africa, they knew it was “the one.” With sweeping views of the Tsitsikamma forest, it offers a unique balance of indoor/outdoor living. The homeowners leaned heavily into the nature vibe, incorporating lots of natural materials, like wooden furniture, potted plants, and a smattering of paper lights, which complement the natural finished walls perfectly.
A Victorian Home in Bristol
Lottie Goldsmithand her husband couldn’t find a home large enough to house their family of seven, so they decided to put an addition onto an older home that lacked central heat, had no gas supply, and was full of lead pipes. Although it took an extensive renovation to gettheir Bristol homeinto livable condition, Goldsmith believes it was well worth the effort. Now, it’s a colorful space brimming with eclectic accents and fun patterns. Case in point? The patchwork quilt that hangs on the dining room wall, featuring colorful circles, a shape that’s repeated with the paper light fixture hanging over the table.
A Fixer-Upper in London
It tookNadine Bacchusand her partner, Juls, three years to renovate theirVictorian homein London. Their budget was tight, and they renovated bit by bit, but the result is a gorgeous terrace home full of architectural details. In the living room, the furnishings and fixtures skew a bit mid-century with a leather couch and vintage coffee table. And what other light could they choose to pay further homage to mid-century design? A Noguchi-style paper lantern, of course.
An Airy Apartment in Prague
It wasn’t love at first sight whenKarina and Luciefirst touredtheir apartment in Prague. The rough condition of the building’s front door almost scared them off entirely, but once the Realtor opened the door to the apartment, the couple said they immediately felt like they were home. In six short months, they created a space that feels like them, sticking to a neutral palette for “bigger items that we want to last long,” such as the oversized paper lantern hanging in their living room and colorful accents with playful shapes.
What’s nice about a Noguchi-style lantern is that it’s a style chameleon; although mid-century in its origins, it can hang with trendy, of-the-moment neotenic pieces, like the wavy mirror and graphic tiled coffee table here.