Blow up a Super Nova, light up a room

Designer David Winston’s take on soft light is dubbed the Super Nova. The vinyl-based fabric cylinder comes with a pump. Blow it up, insert the fluorescent bulb encased in a shockproof plastic sleeve, and you have a huggable, glowing roly-poly that can stand (well, tilt) in a corner, lie on the floor or hang from a rafter. Winston, founder of the Manhattan design firm Cleanroom, says he’s inspired by the effect of different materials on people’s moods. “We wanted to create light that was just pure light, that didn’t have any mechanical apparatus, any switches or hinges,” he says, adding: “It’s nice to be able to hug your light.” Or punch it. Prices are $450 for a 7-foot light and $550 for a 9-foot model. (212) 647-8774, www.cleanroomdl.com.

-- Bettijane Levine