Panthella 400 Table Lamp

In 1920s Copenhagen, designer Poul Henningsen began working with Louis Poulsen on a lamp that would light a room without glare. The answer was the PH lamp: a stack of curved shades, each angled so the bulb is hidden and the light falls softly onto the table below. Nearly a century later, the PH series is still in production, and that same idea, that the quality of the light matters as much as the lamp itself, runs through every Louis Poulsen design.

The Danish company keeps its forms simple and purposeful. Shades, proportions and finishes are chosen to direct light precisely, which gives the collection its calm, timeless look. Alongside the classics, Louis Poulsen continues to work with new designers, adding pendants, wall lights, table and floor lamps that follow the same principles. Hung low over a dining table, a Louis Poulsen pendant gives an even, comfortable light that makes a room feel easy to spend time in.