Designer: Paolo Rizzatto, 1973.

Details: Adjustable steel, chrome and iron wall light, available in Black, Grey or White, £649, by Flos.

One of the first Milanese-trained architectsto turn his hand to product design, Paolo Rizzatto conceived this elegant, perfectly balanced light fitting to be equally at home over a table setting, in a living area or above a bed.

Pivoting on a wall bracket, the 265 is the quintessential fusion of form and function, adding to the overall look ofa scheme, while never becoming the focus of attention. Omni-directional, it moves effortlessly around a space, casting a pool of light over objects great and small.

Ideal for use as a reading light or a spot lamp, the 265 became the prototype for several of Rizzatto’s later products, many of which were designed for his own lighting company Luceplan, which he launched along with fellow architects Riccardo Sarfatti and Sandra Severi in 1978.

A selection of Rizzatto’s designs is now housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London’s V&A, so if you splash out on a 265, you can rest easy knowing you’ve added something truly iconic to your space...

Shining a spotlight on the now and the next in home design and decor, Livingetc is the UK's best selling high end and contemporary home design magazine. As a brand, Livingetc showcases the world's very best homes, breaks and makes the trends, and has access to leading international designers for insight and ideas. It was first published in 1998, and is currently edited by Pip Rich.