These Cool Lamps Will Help You Connect With Far Away Loved Ones
Send them light — literally.
Imagine if there was a way to let your best friend, your mom, or your sister or anyone you love know you’re thinking of them, without the interruption of a text or phone call. Long-Distance Friendship Lamps (From $85, Uncommon Goods) are designed to do exactly that, in a unique and innovative way. And especially now, as we practice “social distancing” to keep our communities and ourselves healthy, what better time to connect?
These beautifully crafted lamps are connected via Wi-Fi, light up with a touch, and change colors with a tap. Here’s how it works: When your lamp is turned on, give it a tap to make your loved one’s connected lamp change color. As the paired lamp comes alive with a gentle change in hue, its owner will know you’re sending love. Worried you’ll disturb your lamp buddy? Fear not! If their light isn’t switched on, it won’t light up.
Tap your lamp to cycle through a rainbow of glowing hues, and connect with more than one person by assigning each loved one their own color. For instance, when your sister taps her lamp, your light might turn purple, and when your mom taps hers, your lamp will glow with a warm yellow. A timer lets you set your lamp to gradually dim and turn off in 30 minutes, 90 minutes, eight hours, or 24 hours.
Available in the original stained-glass inspired design (pictured above) or a stunning mid-century wooden model (From $99, Uncommon Goods), below, friendship lamps are sold individually or in pairs. Buy one for yourself, or several for a group, and connect them all. They’re easy to set up, as well — all you need is a reliable at-home Wi-Fi hook-up.
Perfect for parents and children, grandparents, nieces and nephews, partners who travel frequently, best friends, and anyone who finds themselves separated by miles, these lovely lamps work whether you’re across town or across the ocean.
Designed by artists John Harrison and Vanessa Whalen, friendship lamps were born out of wanting an alternative way to connect with far-flung family members who don’t always communicate well.
“My family lives in different states and countries and we aren’t the best at staying in touch,” wrote Harrison. “On top of it, I’m sorry to say that there are members of my family that more often than not are antagonistic to each other when they do communicate. I had been wondering, ‘How can we just remember that we are family? How can we keep the feeling of family without the words that seem to confuse or cause problems?'”
Friendship lamps have proven to be a wonderful way to do just that!
“Our hearts fill with joy every time we see it light up,” wrote Tina from Santa Cruz. “My mother is the color blue, daughter number one is pink, daughter number two is green, and I am yellow, so we always know who is thinking of us and sending their love through the light.”
And Kenna from Toronto wrote, “So nice to see it light up. Sometimes [it’s] more effective than a phone call, as no words are needed.”
In these challenging times, we need each other more than ever. So if you’ve ever told a loved one that you’re sending them light, friendship lamps give you a way to do it tangibly.
Where to buy: From $85, Uncommon Goods
