Their inspiration is wide-ranging-from applications like telegraph wires and European cable-strung street lighting to theoretical physics and children’s toys-but today’s lighting designer’s are all tied up with new ways to design with wires and cords:

String Light by Michael Anastassiades for Flos: With a design inspired by telegraph lines and European street lighting, Michael Anastassiades’ new collection for Flos offers a wide range of geometric configurations. Conical or spherical pendants are suspended on black wires. www.flosusa.com

Orbit by Patrick Townsend for Areaware: Inspired by the designer’s interpretation of physical scientific theories, orbit is an arrangement of 40 bulbs connected by wires. Available in white and black, the lamp is slated to be available in floor and table models as well. www.areaware.com

Yo-Yo Lamp by Almerich: Rotational-molded polymer diffusers wrapped with a fabric-covered electric cable come together to create a whimsical lamp design that’s at home in children’s rooms and contemporary interiors alike. available in hanging and floor versions. www.almerich.com

YaYaHo Element 16 by Ingo Maurer: Designed in 1984, many original YaYaHo systems are still in use. This year’s update includes two new fresh elements in white silicone. They move horizontally along wires and include swiveling reflector units. www.ingo-maurer.com

Ropes Edition Lamps by Christian Haas: Unlit, the designer’s lamps create a graphic statement; when illuminated, the textile cord becomes a diffuser for the LEDs within. Ropes are handmade in France and Germany; each lamp is unique in size and knotting technique. www.christian-haas.com