Artichoke Lamps: Allison Patrick Transforms Recycled Books Into Lamp Shades (PHOTOS)
Got some unwanted novels hanging around? Why not donate them to lighting designer Allison Patrick.
The recent architecture graduate transforms recycled books into incredible artichoke-shaped lights.
From comic books to sheet music and maps, she uses six or seven books per shade, notes Treehugger.
Patrick has quite a variety of designs to offer, from table lamps to hanging fixtures, all of which are designed not only to be friendly to the environment, but artistic as well.
(PHOTOS BELOW)
"Being eco-friendly may feel virtuous, but you shouldn't have to sacrifice great design just for the environment," Patrick told The Huffington Post. "I'm always striving to re-think how I use materials, to give a new and longer life to something that might otherwise just get discarded."
The designer also takes special request orders from her Zipper 8 Lighting Etsy store where she can create custom light fixtures out of your favorite novel.
Another green benefit? The shades soft coloring minimize the harsh white light compact florescent light bulbs, Patrick said.
If you like these incredible handmade glowing book shades, you'll love artist Guy Laramee's sculptures of mountainous glacial landscapes carved into vintage books, dictionaries and encyclopedias.
Check out a selection of Allison Patrick's artichoke lamps below.
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The Huffington Post Tara Kelly First Posted: 01/17/12 05:59 PM ET Updated: 01/17/12 05:59 PM ET