"Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly's floor light is being reissued by BassamFellows" or "BassamFellows brings back a classic floor light design by Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly"
In 1953, a unique collaboration between architect Philip Johnson and lighting designer Richard Kelly resulted in the creation of the Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp. This innovative design was specifically created for the Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, an architectural masterpiece designed by Johnson himself[1][4].
The Glass House, completed in 1949, initially had no artificial light other than the sun. However, when artificial light was introduced, it caused issues with reflections. To address this, Johnson tasked Kelly with devising an atmospheric lighting solution[2]. The Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp was born, reflecting light from the bulb upwards into a coned top, then down and out, spreading a soft glow, thus minimising reflections and complementing the Glass House’s minimalist aesthetic[3].
The design of the Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp achieved a balance of character and anonymity, described as 'a small piece of architecture'. It was produced until 1967, after which it went out of production[1][4].
Fast forward to 2025, and the design studio BassamFellows, known for reviving classic mid-century modern pieces, reissued the Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp[5]. This revival was highlighted during the 3 Days of Design event, bringing back a historically significant design that had been out of production for nearly six decades[1][4].
The revived Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp is a floor lamp manufactured by BassamFellows[6]. The reissue aims to respect the original design’s integrity while making it accessible to contemporary audiences and collectors. The lamp's effect is subtly theatrical, shaping the ambiance of a room without dominating it[7].
The revival of the Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp design was inspired by another Johnson-designed property in New Canaan. Specifically, it was the former home of Richard and Geraldine Hodgson that caught the eye of Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows of BassamFellows[8]. The Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp is licensed and authorized for manufacturing by The Glass House, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Estate of Richard Kelly[9].
In summary, the Johnson/Kelly Lamp is a 1953 collaboration between Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly, designed specifically for the iconic Glass House, discontinued in 1967, and recently revived by BassamFellows to reintroduce this classic piece to the modern design market[1][4]. The revival not only preserves a piece of design history but also offers a unique blend of character and anonymity, making it a desirable addition to any modern home.
[1] https://www.bassamfellows.com/products/johnson-kelly-floor-lamp [2] https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-glass-house-philip-johnson-richard-kelly-bassamfellows [3] https://www.dezeen.com/2020/10/16/bassamfellows-reissues-philip-johnson-richard-kelly-floor-lamp/ [4] https://www.themodernist.com/news/bassamfellows-reissues-philip-johnson-richard-kelly-floor-lamp [5] https://www.bassamfellows.com/ [6] https://www.dezeen.com/2020/10/16/bassamfellows-reissues-philip-johnson-richard-kelly-floor-lamp/ [7] https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-glass-house-philip-johnson-richard-kelly-bassamfellows [8] https://www.dezeen.com/2020/10/16/bassamfellows-reissues-philip-johnson-richard-kelly-floor-lamp/ [9] https://www.bassamfellows.com/products/johnson-kelly-floor-lamp
The Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp design, a revived mid-century modern piece by BassamFellows, enhances the contemporary home's interior-design, offering a harmonious balance between character and anonymity that complements a lifestyle focused on home-and-garden aesthetics. The reissue of this historically significant lamp, fashioned after Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly's original collaboration, marked an important revival during the 3 Days of Design event, bringing back a design icon that had been out of production for nearly six decades.
The soft glow emitted by the revived Johnson/Kelly Floor Lamp shapes the ambiance of a room, providing a theatrical yet subtle impact without dominating the overall design. This blend of modern appeal and design history makes it a desirable addition for those seeking to incorporate classic interior-design elements into their home-and-garden lifestyle.
