IN the beginning, there was darkness—and then you’d start flicking the light switch again and again—as you head-bang, do air guitar riffs, or do the boogie as if you were on the disco floor. Too Boomer? Okay, raves and bars then.
I’m pretty sure all of us are guilty of playing with the light switches at least once in our lives just to mimic those flashing party lights.
From the moment Thomas Edison found a way to manufacture the lightbulb, the humble glowing orb has evolved and taken many different forms, transitioning to more energy-efficient lighting alternatives, like the CFL (compact fluorescent) and LED (light-emitting diode) we all use today.
But now, lighting isn’t just about being efficient, it’s also about being smart.
Smart lighting has become a go-to for modern designers and homemakers looking to enhance their space. With millions of color options that can be instantly adjusted, it’s an easy way to makeover your space. Something most of us did to relieve the stress and anxiety inflicted on us by this pandemic, as our personal spaces became our sanctuaries to find some peace and quiet assurances.
One of the pioneers in smart lighting is Nanoleaf. Founded in 2012 by friends Gimmy Chu, Christian Yan and Tom Rodinger, Nanoleaf launched their first couple of products via Kickstarter, receiving more than 10 times the funding from their initial goal. Since then, the company has expanded into many other countries, even opening its Philippine offices just this month.
The company’s light panes are made of small LEDs on a folded circuit board and feature an origami-like design. It’s been called the “LEGO” of smart lights because of the endless number of designs you could easily build and create with the help of their app.
Nanoleaf’s Shapes Line offers touch-reactive LED light panels in three different shapes and sizes that can all connect together, allowing you to create one-of-a-kind lighting designs unique to you.
Our bedrooms, for example can have a major influence on our emotions, moods, and productivity—from the color palette we choose for our walls, to the furniture where we relax; from cozy, crisp linens to the warm and ambient smart lighting that sets the right mood. With over 16 million colors to choose from, you can easily shake things up and redecorate your space for different moods, occasions and activities. Choose from preset lighting scenes, like Northern Lights to see a mesmerizing rainbow of colors, or Blaze for a cozy fireplace ambience. You can also connect to the Nanoleaf App to access thousands of different lighting scenes and lighting playlists.
Nanoleaf Shapes light panels come in Hexagons, Triangles and Mini Triangles that connect using Connect+ technology, so you can create beautiful murals or abstract designs to set the right ambience for meals and dinner parties. Nanoleaf lets you fill the room with bright lighting when you are cooking and warm light to make meals even more enjoyable. They are also equipped with a snap-on mounting system and included adhesives for effortless installation.
The touch reactive panels also offer touch controls to turn elements on and off, adjusting brightness and changing lighting scenes. Elements are also controllable via voice command as they are compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings.
You can also sync your playlist to your lighting with the built-in Rhythm Music Visualizer feature that can sense and react to music in real-time, transforming your favorite jazz or classical music to mesmerizing visual displays on your wall.
At the launch, the company likewise introduced its newest product: Nanoleaf Elements Wood Look Hexagons, a line of highly customizable modular panels featuring a wood-grain veneer finish that complements any furniture and interior design. The wood look bespoke lighting doubles as wall art with its textured finish. When lit, these geometric panels create a natural glow that flows across the room. Customize your lighting with a wide range of cool to warm options or select curated scenes, like a cracking “Fireplace” or “Calming Waterfall’’ to help yourself unwind. When turned off, the wood look hexagons double as elegant wall art.
Each Shapes Line Starter Kit comes with light panels, mounting plates, linkers for connecting the panels and controller, double-sided adhesive mounting tapes, controller, power supply unit, and a quick start guide. More information can be found at www.nanoleaf.me/en-PH/.