The Castiglioni brothers aimed for greatness; their visions of purity and functionality came to life in homes around the world in the early 1960s, touching each with the comfortable luxury signature of the Arco Floor Lamp.
What made the Arco Floor Lamp so instantly popular in the 1960s was its striking yet inoffensive presence in the dining room. The Castiglionis chose the name Arco for the tall, elegant arch which allows the lamp to remain a comfortable distance away from a dining room table. The original idea was that it would take the place of an overhead light or smaller lamps with intrusive wiring.
Though it was originally meant for dining use, it quickly evolved to become a centerpiece for any room in the home. On television programs and in movies, the Arco Lamp often lit the scene for tense moments around a desk or shed light on a romantic evening in the living room. Today, it is most commonly a piece for a living room where it can take the center stage for guests.
The base of the original lamp is made of Italian Carrara marble, which renders the lamp next to impossible to knock over in passing. The highest point of the stainless steel arc reaches a height of 7.5 feet before curving, creating a comfortable archway to walk under without ducking.
“The Castiglioni brothers’ designs were extremely important postwar,” says Mike Craft of Metro Lighting. “The Arco Lamp design remains so significant because of how well it’s held its architectural timeline for over 50 years — if you have an original, you’re a very lucky person.”
Flos now only creates a few hundred of these per year, so a true Flos brand Arco Lamp, while iconic, elegant and undeniably signature, remains pricy. However, its presence in the spotlight for over 50 years made it the perfect product to replicate. Similar options exist for homes who want the look without the high price tag.
Though replicas and similar options do exist, a true Arco Floor Lamp will never be a home decor cliché despite its frequent appearance in pop culture. The craftsmanship and quality in every aspect of the design makes the Arco second to none.
