White space, in design and in music, is often a welcome respite. The pauses, quick between the notes and longer between stanzas, are what sparks intrigue within the listener as we’re waiting for more. The Legato lighting system by Luca Nichetto for Matter Made takes its name from a musical reference, meaning an unbroken sequence of notes. Italian for ‘tied together,’ it indicates that the notes should be played smoothly.
Pinned together and stacked on a delicate aluminum frame, the conical units seem to cascade down the empty space, much like notes dotting a vertical staff. The shades are regular, reserved, yet offer a surprising softness in the tone of warm light exuding into the surrounding interior. Shades can be positioned in multiple different ways, to offer custom lighting solutions exquisitely fit for a stately office or upscale bar.
Designer Luca Nichetto, of Nichetto Studio, illuminates us: “I’m thrilled that the product has finally gone into production. Over the years, it has been fascinating to explore all the possibilities and see the company’s efforts to make this happen. I’m confident it will be a product that delivers a lot of satisfaction. It maintains a sculptural appearance while being highly functional – a perfect balance of beauty and function, which we always strive to achieve.”
Legato Double Strings
Legato Double Strings
Legato String
Available in many different configurations, the Legato String sports these characteristic shades. Custom amounts of modules and hanging options are available on the Matter Made site, which offer ultimate flexibility in scope and installation. The Legato String features shades that point both up to the ceiling and down to the ground, or a combination of both, to add an overall glow to any interior. This would be a wonderful addition to a space with an interesting finish, crown molding, or vintage roof.
Legato String
Legato String
Legato String
Legato String
Some configurations point completely upward, to highlight the ceiling and offer a softer, ambient glow below. Others point downward, for a more robust and direct lighting solution. Others include two pendants, doubling the glow, like Legato Double Strings pictured below.
Legato Double Strings
Legato Double Strings
Legato Double Strings
Legato Double Strings
Legato Linear
A beautiful solution for a dining table or bar, the Legato Linear catches the ambient light softly in a one up and one down shade sequence in the brushed aluminum finish. “It was incredibly gratifying to work on the design and development of Legato for so many years and have it feel just as relevant and timeless as the day we started,” says Jamie Gray, founder and creative director of Matter Made.
Legato Linear
Brooklyn-based Matter Made produces minimalist works that evoke a refined sense of detail, celebrating materiality in a clever and considered manner. A beautiful level of collaboration takes place between producer and designer, creating relationships that last. Working at the highest level of craftsmanship and collaborating with influential voices in the industry has put Matter Made on the map, offering charming and practical pieces sure to last a lifetime.
Legato Linear
Luca Nichetto is a multidisciplinary designer, deeply inspired by the Murano glasswork that dotted his childhood and then professional work in Venice. Founding his studio in 2006 with the aim to create thoughtful, modern work, collaborating with brands such as Bernhardt Design, Hermès, and Moooi. Five years later, he would move to Sweden to start a family and open a second studio there, infusing his Italian heritage with Scandinavian design experience. A snippet of the studio’s manifesto: “We tell emotional tales built on a vocabulary of materials and animated by a grammar of form.”
Legato Linear
To learn more about the Legato lighting system, visit Matter Made here and Luca Nichetto here.
