Hasta La Ideas

by Tacita Vero

Already having put their name to olive oil and a Fiat, as well as backing Miami’s Pelican Hotel, Italian fashion magnate Diesel launched their sexy, rock ‘n’ roll-tinged Designed by Diesel collection at the 2009 Salone del Mobile, and the home furnishings collection will finally hits stores this summer.

Dominating the denim industry for years, Diesel has mastered the art of reinvention—from accessories and fragrances to jeans that glow-in-the-dark and ultra-modern silhouettes. The home furnishings collection affirms their uncanny ability to diversify.

The series includes a small group of tables, armchairs and sofas, but the Home Collection triumphs with their lighting section.

Their strength in working with fabric shows in the use of interesting textures and materials in the lampshades, with neutrally earthy tones blending into any room. Drum kit bases make lamps portable and, along with details like lightning bolt pull chains, continue the rock thread.

The choice of metal cages adds an industrial touch to other lampshades, while plastic molded into an irregular faceted dome makes for a suspension light that casts dramatic geometric patterns onto surfaces.

Chrome studded bases reference the brand’s fashion heritage, a clear signal that this likely isn’t the last lifestyle extension we’ll see from Diesel.

Functional, easy to mix and match with existing furniture, and contemporary without appearing overly modern, the collection makes a strong first. Available at select Diesel stores, see the whole collection online.