The LIGHTS UP! collection of table and floor lamps offers an elegant, modern esthetic combined with a beautiful line and form. We caught up with LIGHTS UP! designer Rachel Simon to learn more about herself and her line of lamps. Says Rachel:

“I grew up in Rockland County, NY in a house built by the renowned ceramist Henry Varnum Poor. My childhood was surrounded with art, music, cats, dogs, trees and the 4 seasons. Much of who I am today was inspired then. My family home was a revolving door of artists, writers and composers. One of these was the jewelry designer Sam Kramer. I apprenticed in the Kramer Jewelry Store on 8th Street as a teenager and was inspired towards my first career in the handbag and fashion accessories industry. I styled and marketed for many years and continue to have a passion for all women’s accessories. This is very evident in my early lamp designs which came with long pull chains, decorative accents and multi-choice shade colors, just like the colorful handbags that we introduced in the 70’s.

I founded LIGHTS UP! with Dawn Ladd in 1987. We taught ourselves manufacturing on the 12th floor of an old warehouse in DUMBO, Brooklyn. In 1994 I took LIGHTS UP! to George Kovacs Lighting. For 6 years Mr. Kovacs and I collaborated and produced many of my favorite LIGHTS UP! designs.
Now LIGHTS UP! and I are back on our own and enjoying designing and manufacturing new lamps in a 30-year-old lampshade factory in the heart of Brooklyn.”

Favorite design inspiration:
Travel inspires me- walking, window-shopping, museums, and architecture. I always feel revived and inspired by travel. The more foreign the place the better.

Hot new design trend:
The hot new trend is LATTE (local, authentic, traceable, trusted and ethical) - whether it’s the material source, energy use or color palette our future right now is tied to our planet and it’s preservation.

Biggest design mistake people make:
Biggest design mistake in the home or office - not enough light sources. Lighting improves every space and good lighting is produced by balancing it’s sources.

How she works:
I work on a large surface- spreading out the ideas, colors and shapes. Then refine and reduce. I am a minimalist at heart and like to reduce everything to its bare bones with a few decorative accents. I love to collaborate; my favorite times are when I can work with a few talented partners and brainstorm.

Favorite item her house:
My favorite item at home is the wrought iron and wood banister that our friend John Corcoran made for us. It is like a water landscape.

Item she won't part with:
Items I would never part with are of course, my husband and daughter. Anyone who knows me knows my family.

Question she gets most at parties:
The question I am most frequently asked when I meet someone is - “How did you get started in the lighting business?” My quick response is, “Putting 1 foot in front of the other”. I love lighting- it fascinates me and will be a life long passion.

Travel tip:
Always have a large lightweight shawl in your carry-on. And carry-on whenever possible.

Collects:
My husband is the collector in our family from advertising guitars to classic automobile hood ornaments. He collects enough for both of us. I do love painted juice glasses and buy them whenever I see them, but they get used and break. There is always room for more.

As a child wanted to be:
As a child I could not wait to be a grown up - now I wonder if I will ever become one.

Obsession:
My life long obsession has been with the XKE Jaguar. If you are thinking of satisfying it my preference is British racing green with a tan interior convertible.

Best recent gift:
Becoming a godmother to the beautiful Isobel.

What's next:
Next for LIGHTS UP! Finally I have my new Ginko print pattern in 3 different colorways. It will be presented to my customers this Fall, 2008.