Celebrating a Swedish design classic: The Bumling

What makes a design classic? To remain relevant, functional, and aesthetically appealing over time, a design needs a perfect blend of timelessness and quality, striking a balance between beauty and utility.?

Practicality and usability are central to classic designs. They effectively fulfil their intended purpose and often do so with a simplicity that enhances their longevity. This simplicity means that classic designs are often versatile, fitting seamlessly into a variety of contexts and settings. Their adaptability ensures they remain functional and stylish in diverse environments.?

Enter ateljé?Lyktan’s Bumling. First unveiled at the lighting exhibition in Gothenburg in 1968, the Bumling meets all these criteria and is undoubtedly a Swedish design classic. We spoke to Richard Wegele, Managing Director at ateljé?Lyktan, to find out more about the birth of the Bumling’s iconic design, and why it remains relevant in today’s design landscape.?

?“The Bumling originally started life in 1958; designed as a ceiling cup by one of our founders,” Richard explains, “which he then turned upside down, adding a tea light and glass to make it into a small lamp.?

“Former ateljé Lyktan Design Director, Anders Pehrson, who took over the business in 1964, took the base of this lamp, and in 1968 dramatically increased the size, to 600mm in diameter. The name followed soon after when a friend of Anders said: “It’s like a big boulder!” – ‘bumling’ meaning ‘boulder’ in Swedish.”?

An instant classic?

The Bumling was immediately popular, with so many variations in colours and versions created, it has been estimated that more than 50% of Swedish homes may have contained a Bumling in the 1960s and 1970s. “At one point, we were producing hundreds of Bumlings a week,” Richard comments, “The shape made it popular, as designs had generally been quite square until that point, but this one was more rounded.?

“Anders designed according to what in Swedish are four Fs: Form, Function, F?rg (Colour) and Family. Bumling checked all these boxes, with variations of it being made into table lamps, ceiling, floor, and wall mounted lights, as well as many different sizes.?

“The bright colours of the Bumling epitomised the 1960’s, using the same colour range as the Volkswagen Beetle!”?

The materials used within the Bumling were also very different from other lighting designs at the time: “Italian lighting design tended to include a lot of glass, and the brushed aluminium used for the Bumling was quite a new technique, no other designs were using it. a lot of Swedish luminaries at the time were small and neutral coloured.” Richard explains.?

Embodying Scandinavian design?

“The Bumling is quite functional, which is very Scandinavian. But it’s also part of our cultural heritage, I see Bumlings everywhere!” Richard says, “Of course, people are still using the originals, but in the 1970’s we also created a little sister, called ‘Knubbling’, so the Bumling family was extended.??

“Bumling luminaires are still produced in brushed or powder-coated aluminium, with a white lacquered interior, circular grid, and a narrow opening at the top, which gives a nice light emission.??

“We sell 600mm and 400mm pendant lights, as well as wall lights, table lamps and floor lamps. Since 2005, we have also produced limited edition Bumlings, making just a hundred of a distinct colour every year. As well as the limited editions, we also produce one-off versions of Bumlings – for instance, we’re currently making one for outdoor use which is 2.5m in diameter.??

“The Bumling is very versatile, which adds to its appeal, but today, it’s also popular because it’s a classic. It’s possible to buy an original in a rare colour, and they can sell for thousands of pounds. We sell a lot of spare parts for Bumling, as they last so long, and of course, they increase in value.”?

The most famous Swedish lamp, ever?

“We’re very proud of the Bumling, “Richard concludes, “there is a whole generation who understand what a Bumling is and love the design. Many of those people have one in their home.?

“The quality and durability of the Bumling, made from high-quality materials and craftsmanship, has contributed to its longevity. They are built to last, meaning it has stood the test of time both physically and stylistically.”?

Visit the website to find out more about ateljé Lyktan and their products, or for more technical detail about the Bumling visit the product page.