The exposed lightbulb is the must-have design item of the 21st-century interior. Be inspired by the host of cutting-edge ideas to use this modern product in your own home. With this essential guide, Charlotte and Peter Fiell, 21st-century design experts and authors of such Taschen classics as Design for the 21st Century, 1000 Chairs and 1000 Lights, walk you through lighting with bare bulbs to achieve and complement a range of styles, from opulent to industrial, rustic to minimalist. From high-end and classic fixtures to clever design hacks using readily available and inexpensive filament-based bulbs, there are ideas to fit every budget. A thoroughly researched introduction outlines the evolution of the electric lightbulb, from its invention in the late 19th century by Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison right up to today’s most interesting and innovative trends in lighting technology, from connectivity and wireless illumination to healthier lighting and fibre-optic natural-light systems. Then the exposed lightbulb in contemporary and classic style and design classic fixtures are shown in a variety of desirable locations and interiors, exploring their versatility and applications.