Easy on the eyes, color us impressed. Poul Henningsen sought to create glare-free lighting throughout his career as a designer, and for that we're grateful. This three-shade system was developed in 1925-1926 as entry in design expo in Paris, and it looks a lot simpler than it is. His aim was to direct light where it was most needed, to creating soft shadows while using incandescent bulbs as a light source (sucks to be American, we'll have to settle for LEDs, boo hiss). Henningsen was the first person to pursue a scientific approach to light and use the logarithmic spiral as a basis. By using a design based on the logarithmic spiral, he achieved even distribution of light over the entire curve of the shade. This even light distribution, together with the diffuse reflection through the glass, made it possible to control glare and shadow. He really was on a mission.

To mark Poul Henningsen's 120th birthday, Louis Poulsen has launched the new PH 3½-3 pendant. The PH 3½-3 pendant is based on Poul Henningsen's original drawings from the late 1920s and early 1930s, featuring his renowned three-shade system. The pendant has metal shades inspired by Henningsen's color universe, available in green, yellow, red and white. The fixture housing is silk, matte brown and made of copper. As an extra feature, all shades have a white painted rolled edge, accentuating the familiar profile of the three-shade fixture and creating beautiful optical symmetry. The shades are pressed at Louis Poulsen's factory in Vejen, by Louis Poulsen's own staff – a craft that very few are trained in. At 80 years old, this one's truly a classic and ideally suited to a broad range of interior styles. She's charming, rustic, functional and unpretentious, gives you boost just by being there, and you'll love her the more you live with her. The PH 3½-3 pendant is a piece of Danish lighting design history.

The fixture is 100% glare-free, with a design based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs most of the light downwards. The shades are made of deep drawn aluminum with white inner surface that ensures gentle, downward light distribution. The downward light is both soft and pleasant.