Jake Emlen

It’s hard to imagine a light fixture outshining its bulbs until you’ve seen Jake Emlen’s surprising designs. Born into a family of craftsmen, Jake seems like he was destined to create his handmade lighting solutions.  Each of Jake’s hand-crafted lamps add unexpected charm and utility to any room. Read more about this bright designer below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Useful, unexpected, pleasing.

2. Who is your creative role model?
When I was a kid I knew that my grandfather was an amateur craftsman. So was my neighbor. In fact, it seemed like a lot of older men whom I emulated dabbled in some sort of craft, like furniture building, carving, or metal work. On some level I think I simply assumed that men do craft. I loved going into my neighbor’s wood shop and looking at all the tools. There was also this store near my house called the Tool Barn that sold all sorts of perfectly usable second hand tools and I used to go there with my dad. I loved all this stuff. I couldn’t then, and still can’t now, imagine my life without it. So… my creative role model is the old-timer-craftsman.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Study history.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
Though I grew up in Maine and get a lot of inspiration from natural places, real inspiration happens for me in the present moment, wherever I am.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
Navy Seal, because I would love to know what it is like to have complete physical and mental discipline.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I wish I could say that I’ve done this on the regular, but I once made my girlfriend a picture frame and derived much pleasure from it.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My French Press.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
To say please and thank you.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
Core 77, Hubble Site,

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When it is useful, unexpected, and pleasing