
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.
Continue reading →