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Expand Your Notions of Lighting With Sorpresa by Samuel Wilkinson


Expand Your Notions of Lighting With Sorpresa by Samuel Wilkinson

We always love to see an easter egg in product design, and Samuel Wilkinson doesn’t disappoint with his newest lighting solution – a chandelier – produced in collaboration with Danish brand Astep. Sorpresa utilizes a specific mechanism that, once released from its paper sheath, expands from just a couple inches to just over 43 inches at its finished size. Delicate limbs splay outwards on the top and bottom of the shade, the user watching the light take shape before their eyes. “I wanted to create a piece that would intrigue. As its name suggests, the essence of the lamp is ‘surprise’. We looked at various collapsible objects for inspiration and found a traditional shaker wool winder. It was the low-tech expandable timber construction that I admired most, the simple movement and expression,” says designer Samuel Wilkinson.

The modern dining room features a modern vibe with a round table, geometric pendant lights, and large windows. Neutral colors dominate the decor, including a textured rug and minimal accessories on the table.

A mostly opaque mesh shade hides the ghost of the sanded oak structure inside, criss-crossing arms keeping the shade tight. The showing but not telling is strong, allowing the user to bask in the setup rather than adding any frustration to the mix. Utilizing recycled and recyclable materials, each component of the Sorpresa chandelier is designed to come apart easily at the end of its life cycle to promote circular design. Interactive, delicate, and thoughtful, this mechanism holds promise for many other products in the future.

Two white geometric pendant lamps hang near a window with a view of brick buildings and vibrant greenery outside.

Discover the Sorpresa pendant light, crafted by Samuel Wilkinson. It boasts a modern translucent fabric shade with an angular, geometric design that encases a soft, glowing bulb inside.

A man carefully arranges a light diffuser on a tall cylindrical stand, the label showing shipping details. Designed by Samuel Wilkinson, this piece is sure to add an element of sorpresa to any setting with its innovative flair.

With many shaded lighting solutions, we’ll expect either a slightly cumbersome installation process or an unsightly shape, detracting from the scene rather than adding to it. All of these pain points are minimized if not completely eliminated with the lightweight Sorpresa system, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the glow.

The Sorpresa pendant light, designed by Samuel Wilkinson, features a modern cylindrical fabric shade that is slightly translucent and elegantly suspended from a black cord.

A man adjusts the large Sorpresa pendant light fixture, a Samuel Wilkinson design, featuring a draped, translucent fabric aesthetic set against a pristine white background.

A man adjusts the striking Sorpresa pendant lampshade, designed by Samuel Wilkinson, featuring a large white geometric form with a visible light bulb, set against a pristine white background.

A modern pendant lamp designed by Samuel Wilkinson features a star-shaped fabric shade and showcases a central bulb. Hanging from the ceiling, the Sorpresa design boasts angular lines and a translucent appearance.

“The intention was to give Sorpresa a strong yet subtle personality when both on and off. When off, the light source nearly disappears within the lamp but still revealing the distinctive frame, when on, the light source is presented like a floating orb in center of the volume with limited shadowing from the frame,“ Wilkinson says.

Close-up of the Sorpresa pendant light by Samuel Wilkinson, featuring a modern design with a white fabric shade, black cord, and visible bulb inside.

This ceiling-mounted light fixture, a Sorpresa designed by Samuel Wilkinson, features a round bulb encased in a geometric, translucent shade resembling an umbrella.

Close-up of a modern circular lampshade designed by Samuel Wilkinson, featuring a metal frame and mesh fabric. The geometric shape brings a sorpresa element to its minimalist aesthetic.

Close-up of a translucent fabric, its geometric pattern elegantly revealing interplay of light and shadow, reminiscent of Samuel Wilkinson’s minimalist design surprises.

Close-up of a light beige, textured fabric stretched tightly over a frame, showcasing Samuel Wilkinson's minimalistic design and neutral color palette.

The Sorpresa lamp assembly kit, designed by Samuel Wilkinson, includes wooden rods, a light bulb, fabric shade, metal frame rings, ceiling mount, screws, and a power cord—all meticulously arranged on a white background.

Samuel Wilkinson is a London-based designer who creates work that balances form and function in a crisp, meaningful way. Sustainability is always at the forefront of his studio’s work, spanning multiple industries and creating cherished products along the way. You might be familiar with his work already, be it the LATIS Series, the Zymbel candelabra, or the TUBA Chair.

The Sorpresa pendant light by Samuel Wilkinson boasts a modern design with a white geometric shade, complemented by a sleek black ceiling mount and cord, all set against a neutral background.

A modern white pendant light designed by Samuel Wilkinson features a spherical bulb suspended from a thin black cord against a plain gray background. The Sorpresa shade adds intrigue with its geometric patterns on the sides.

Diagram illustrating the assembly of the Sorpresa lamp by Samuel Wilkinson, using cut paper around a frame. Steps include opening, expanding, and finalizing the 110 cm diameter structure.

As much about sustainability as usability as a certified B-corporation, Astep believes that enduring design is about designing it well in the first place. Alessandro Sarfatti evokes the words of his father, Gino Sarfatti: “‘We must work in all directions, and in each one find a small amount of innovation’ – my father used to say this, and he was right; because as long as we move forward, towards something that’s more meaningful, more respectful and more relevant – each step is as valuable as the other, deserving the same consideration and respect.” This tells all about the ethos of the company, deriving great satisfaction by working closely with designers to produce what’s new, with the distinction to keep said pieces timeless.

Stick figure comic illustrating the process of buying and setting up a Samuel Wilkinson lamp: 1. Desire, 2. Order online, 3. Arrival with sorpresa, 4. Unpack, 5. Assemble, 6. Lamp is set up perfectly.

To learn more about the Sorpresa Collection, visit astep.design

Photography courtesy of Samuel Wilkinson and Astep.

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