FontanaArte Flute Floor Lamp, Glass Stem Torchiere Uplight with Dimmer, 2 Sizes

The FontanaArte Flute floor lamp is a tall, slender torchiere that throws dimmable indirect light up to the ceiling, washing a living room, lobby, office or lounge in soft, glare-free light. A transparent borosilicate glass stem rises from a chrome base to a polished chrome cone, held by three fine rods, so the lamp seems almost to vanish and the light appears to come from the ceiling itself. It comes in two sizes, the Small with a standard E26 bulb and the Large with a powerful R7s linear lamp.

Quick facts

• Product: Flute floor lamp
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F330025150TCN1 (Small), F330030150TCN1 (Large)
• Type: Plug-in torchiere (uplight) floor lamp
• Best for: living rooms, double-height spaces, lobbies, hotel lounges, offices, waiting areas and restaurants
• Height: Small 75.5 in (192 cm); Large 82.6 in (210 cm)
• Diameter: Small 10.6 in (27 cm); Large 12.5 in (32 cm)
• Light source: Small: 1 x E26 bulb, 205W maximum. Large: 1 x R7s linear lamp, 115 mm, 400W maximum. 110V; bulbs not included
• Light/dimming: indirect uplight; dimmable with the sliding dimmer supplied
• Power: transparent power cable with dimmer and plug; the maker's notes list a European (Schuko) plug, adapter not included
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations
• Materials: transparent borosilicate glass stem; glossy chromed aluminum reflector; chromed metal base and reflector support
• Finish: Transparent glass and Chrome
• Certification: UL pending
• Designer: Franco Raggi (1999)
• Styles: Modern, Contemporary, Minimalist

UL certification for the U.S. market is in progress for this lamp.

Light quality and how it performs

Flute is an indirect light. The polished chrome reflector cups the lamp at the top of the stem and throws all the light upward, so it bounces off the ceiling and comes back down as broad, even, shadowless illumination. Nobody looks into the bulb, which makes it one of the most comfortable ways to light a whole room. The Small, with an E26 bulb up to 205W, can light a typical living room; the Large, with an R7s linear lamp up to 400W, is powerful enough for a big open-plan space, a high ceiling or a hotel lobby. The sliding dimmer on the cord takes either from full brightness down to a gentle evening glow. White or light-coloured ceilings give the best results.

Size and placement

The Small stands 75.5 in (192 cm) tall and the Large 82.6 in (210 cm); their diameters are 10.6 in (27 cm) and 12.5 in (32 cm). As general guidance:

• Ceiling height: uplights work best with at least 1.5 to 2 ft (45 to 60 cm) between the reflector and the ceiling; choose the Small for ceilings around 8 to 9 ft and the Large for 9 ft and higher or double-height rooms.
• Beside a sofa: place it at the end of a sofa or behind an armchair, where it lights the room from above without being in the way.
• Corners and walls: set near a corner or flat wall, so the light also grazes the wall and makes the room feel taller.
• Pairs: two Flutes flanking a sofa, window or doorway create an elegant, even ceiling wash.

Because the stem is glass and the base compact, Flute needs very little floor space.

Where it works

Homes. Living rooms and open-plan kitchens where an overhead fixture is not possible or wanted; tall entrance halls and stairwells; studies and home offices that need soft, even general light.

Commercial and hospitality. Hotel lobbies and lounges, restaurant corners, executive offices, meeting rooms and waiting areas. The glass-and-chrome construction reads as refined and timeless, and the plug-in torchiere brings ambient light to rooms without new ceiling wiring.

Style and pairing

With its transparent stem and polished chrome, Flute belongs in Modern, Contemporary and Minimalist interiors, and it suits glass, steel, marble and lacquer. Because the stem almost disappears, it also works in smaller rooms and alongside strongly patterned walls or art, where a heavier lamp would compete. Pair it with low, modern sofas and clean-lined furniture.

Why choose Flute

• True indirect uplight: soft, glare-free light for the whole room.
• A transparent glass stem that seems to float.
• Dimmer included; strong enough for large rooms.
• Two heights to match ceilings and room sizes.

Care

Unplug and let the lamp and reflector cool completely before cleaning; halogen lamps run very hot. Wipe the glass stem with a soft cloth and glass cleaner applied to the cloth, and polish the chrome reflector and base with a dry, soft cloth. Handle R7s and halogen bulbs with a clean cloth, not bare fingers. Move the lamp by holding the base and lower stem, not the reflector.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of light does Flute give? Indirect uplight: it shines on the ceiling, which reflects soft, even light into the room.

Which size should I choose? The Small (75.5 in, E26) for typical rooms with ceilings around 8 to 9 ft; the Large (82.6 in, R7s up to 400W) for big rooms and high ceilings.

Is it dimmable? Yes. A sliding dimmer is supplied on the cord.

What bulbs does it take? Small: one E26 bulb, 205W maximum. Large: one R7s linear lamp, 115 mm, 400W maximum. Bulbs are not included.

Can I use LED bulbs? Yes, choose dimmable E26 or R7s LED lamps of the right size and enough lumen output.

What plug does it have? The maker's notes list a European (Schuko) plug with no adapter included; have a qualified electrician fit a U.S. plug or supply a suitable adapter.

Is the stem really glass? Yes, transparent borosilicate glass, with a chromed metal base and reflector support.

Can it go in a bathroom? No. It is rated IP20 for dry interiors only.

Is it certified? UL certification for the U.S. market is pending.

Trade & project orders

Interior designers, architects and hospitality buyers can join the MetropolitanDecor trade program for trade pricing. We also prepare quotes for multi-unit and project orders; contact us with your quantities.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.