Here’s a mini-lesson in wine: the fine spirit needs to age in barrels, using a rigorous protocol. The craftsman who makes the wooden barrels is known as a cooper. Somewhere in France, such a person may be happy to know that his work lives on long after the barrel has been emptied of its precious Bordeaux.

Orbits. Designed by Stil Novo.

One-of-a-kind, Recycled Ceiling Light

Thanks to environmentally conscious designers such as Stil Novo, oak wine barrels are getting a new life. Their exclusive Orbits ceiling lamp is a unique chandelier crafted using metal hoops recycled from old wine barrels. The barrel hoops are made of galvanized steel, a material “that gives this extraordinary piece a very definite urban feel.”

While wine connoisseurs in particular love this chandelier, Orbits appeals to lots of people. The design works with varied interiors—“from the rustic to the more modern and contemporary.” Orbits’ diameter measures 26 inches, and the piece certainly has a full body: it weighs a substantial 45 pounds.

The beauty of Orbits lies in its resemblance to a celestial globe—or, given the origin of the wine oak barrels, a French navisphere. While Stil Novo refers to Orbits as “an object of practical elegance,” one might argue that this creative chandelier revels in its romantic nature—the bands bring to mind visions of fine wine and faraway planets.

About the Manufacturer: Stil Novo creates environmentally friendly home décor and gifts. The company’s design philosophy is simple: “Artistry and attention to detail.” A family business that specializes in quality woodcraft, Stil Novo gets satisfaction from recycling material “to turn it into an object of practical elegance.”

Via recyclart.