The subtly sexy Stamen Pendant (2004) is the work of Jeremy Pyles for Niche, a company that came into being somewhat by accident. When opening a homewares store in SoHo, Jeremy Pyles and Mary Welch were unable to find lights that satisfied their “super picky sensibilities.” Then Jeremy saw a man selling blown glass vases out of the back of his truck. The glass designer wasn’t sure he could create the shape Jeremy was looking for – telling him that “glass is not meant to curve in on itself” – but the two of them kept at it, eventually creating three pendants to light the front of the Niche store. The lights weren’t for sale, but customers kept asking for them, and a new business was born. Stamen consists of hand-blown colored glass, designed around the shape of a light bulb that Jeremy selected after studying more than 30 types. The result is a play of light and dark, strength and delicateness, simple lines and lush colors, with no two identical – like snowflakes. Bulb (included): a tubular dimmable LED. Made in U.S.A.