A New Twist on the Paper Lantern

This past May I visited the 2010 International Contemporary Furniture Show at the Javits Center in NYC.  I love going to this show every year to scope out the hottest finds in furniture - but what I also love are the people I see!  One such friend is Rachel O'Neill, a Northern Irish artist and designer whose work I thought was absolutely amazing!  You probably have noticed - but lanterns and hanging lighting fixtures are in abundance.  You have the shabby chic light with crystals, the paper lantern with intricate weaving or the rigid lucite material that has been so popular in the last year.  What I love about Rachel is that she is always keeping things fresh - not only with the styles and shapes she produces - but with the materials she works with as well!  I was so taken by her hanging lanterns at the ICFF show that I just had to share it here.  What you may not notice from the picture above is that her lanterns are made from materials like industrial grade VELCRO(R), goose feathers and aluminum!  The freshness of the design and material is to die for.  You better believe I'll be keeping in touch with Rachel and following her work!  You should definitely visit her website - but her flickr page is just as great with beautiful pictures.