TobyHouse by Toby Sanders: re-invent for an amazing design.

What is that? A beach ball? Or a lamp? We met Toby Sanders at his show at Tent London and The Dock, during Londons Design Fare. Toby is Design Director of TOBYhouse, a creative interiors studio founded by himself and based in London. It develops its own range of Home Accessories, as well as offering interiors consultancies in retail, domestic, exhibitions and environmental design. We was very surprised. ‘Cause that was both a ball and a lamp. BEACH BALL LAMPSHADE is a 40cm diameter ball lamp created by Toby. It’s a real PVC Beach Ball that has been transformed, by hand, using a process he has pioneered.

The outside has the surface of an actual inflated beach ball, even the ‘blowhole’ is visible. Yet It has a ‘rock hard’ inner shell that holds it inflated, and allows us to turn it into a really playful lampshade. Each piece is hand made to order with a dispatch time of 3-4 weeks.

The outer skin is made of a real PVC beach ball. Toby had developed a process to spread a thin polyurethane shell on the inner surface of beach balls. The inner surface has a ‘blackout’ white spray finish so it is totally opaque. He applies the edge trim, and applies a made to measure lamp shade holder.

This lamp shade is made with the guidance of the British Lighting Association and adheres to their best practice guidelines. It’s easy to fit, you will not require an electrician, or particular expertise. It is fitted in the same way as any normal paper lamp shade.

Before founding TOBYhouse, Toby has directed major international retail interiors projects for global brands such as Giorgio Armani, Habitat and Mandarina Duck as well as private domestic commissions and environmental design projects. He loves the way creativity can connect different areas of design, and provide serious responses to real problems.

Discover all the fantastic design ideas of Toby in his website. You can also buy his products online!