#CaseChoice: Mouro Lamp

By Nicky Rampley-Clarke

Every month, we shine a spotlight on the small but perfectly formed designs from Case that have developed something of a cult following, enabling you to take a little piece of the brand home without breaking the bank. This month? The Mouro Lamp, a substantial but portable light for use indoors and out, all wrapped up within a covetable design. A bright idea indeed…

The topline

Once you own a Mouro Lamp you’ll be hard-pressed to live without it (in fact, we’d hazard a guess you’ll want more than one…). Not only are portable lights this summer’s biggest design trend, but they’re essential when it comes to entertaining al fresco over the coming months, whether you want to shine a light on a seasonal feast or simply set the mood for sultry evenings. It’s pretty, too, with modern good looks and a striking industrial aesthetic that make it as much of an objet d’art as it is a practical piece of kit. Among the many portable lights coming onto the market right now – they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery, after all – this still shines the brightest.

The design

Crafted by Spanish designer Patricia Perez, who also lays claim to the clever and chic Altura Step Stool, the Mouro Lamp was inspired by the lighthouse in her hometown of Santander. In this, she has played with geometric forms to create a contemporary and versatile light, created with adaptability front-of-mind. While looking beautiful, the powder-coated steel frame is conveniently neat in size, providing a practical tool that can be easily transported from indoors to out.

The function

Arguably, the most innovative bit about the whole design is the rotating 360-degree central element, allowing the LED light to be easily adjusted in any direction. The light is dimmable, too, featuring three settings that enable you to dial up and down the ambience as required (Friday-night dinner date versus late-night reading, for example). Finally, the light is easily rechargeable via a discreet USB inlet that doesn’t interfere with its seamless design, with up to six hours of impressive usage from a full charge.

The quote

Patricia says: “I love the idea of thinking of something that doesn’t exist and making it into a reality. The Mouro Lamp balances practicality with aesthetics to offer people a future design classic that combines function and form to illuminating effect.”

The verdict

A portable light that was way ahead of the curve before portable lights were even a trend. Reassuringly, the Mouro Lamp remains the best of the bunch.