OK I never thought I would say IKEA and original awesome design in the same sentence but here you have it! This incredible table task lamp was designed in 2001 exclusively for IKEA by Harry Allen Designs. He and it won accolades worldwide for its fabulous design. Harry’s inspiration for this rolling task light was his life-long interest in roller skating. Its tripod base is supported by rubber wheels which allow it to move in circles. Designer, Harry Allen, is quoted as saying “Kila spins on its axis as if it had been practicing that move in the roller rink for decades.” This bright red lamp is so reminiscent of 1960s cutting edge design yet feels futuristic at the same time. And although it originally sold for IKEAs super low pricing has now, as with the great designs through the ages, become collectable and sought after.
Harry Allen is an award-winning designer born1964 in New Jersey. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Alfred University and his master’s in industrial design from Pratt Institute in NYC. He founded Harry Allen Design NYC in 1993. That same year he produced a line of furniture called Living Systems and since has designed internationally with a wide variety of clients and products. He has work in the permanent collection of MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Denver Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art as well as earning many design awards.
We found this lamp sitting atop a George Nelson Action Office desk. Who would have ever thought……Herman Miller and IKEA together! You need to make this recent icon of good design yours!
