In 1962, Italian designer Achille Castiglioni developed the first Arco floor lamp, a unique piece that combines the best features of both hanging and floor lights. With a flair for taking the ordinary to extraordinary, Castiglioni is said to have found the inspiration for his invention in a humble lamp post. It became an instant classic when it hit the market nearly five decades ago and lives on as a great landmark in interior design.

Originally designed for Flos, a European interior design company, the Arco serves not only as a piece of furniture, but as art. Guaranteed to drop jaws in any room in your home, the Arco floor lamp stuns with its breathtaking materials and unique shape. All of its features are a kickback to classic Italian style, meaning that even when placed in the corner, it can't help but to be the center of attention. Perfect for dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens, and just about anywhere else in your home, it will always be in style.

This coincided perfectly with Castiglioni's design philosophy. He was once quoted as saying, "Start from scratch. Stick to common sense." He believed in using basic materials to create a striking masterpiece that solved one of life's many pesky little problems. The Arco floor lamp embodies this goal in that it was designed to take care of several issues the artist saw in common overhead lighting.

The long, sweeping neck, adjustable to a height of 2.4 meters, is plated in flexible yet sturdy satin nickel. Because all wires are neatly concealed within the neck, you can illuminate any table or room without messy looking cables ruining the elegant look. Now, furniture can be placed off center in a room, because illumination other than standard ceiling lighting is available. The on/off switch is located at the base of this cable for easy accessibility.

The height of the neck is counteracted by a solid 75 kilogram base. The marble that composes it is Carrara marble, found in the Italian Alps. Michelangelo is said to have favored this rock, adding a historical aspect to the Arco. Corners on this solid rock are beveled for safety.

It is instantly identifiable by the signature hole drilled straight through the base. Both stylish and utilitarian, the hole makes transport extremely simple, allowing two individuals to move the piece with a broom stick--ingenuity certainly meets design here.

Today, every Arco floor lamp is handmade in Italy by true experts. All steps of the production process are identical to the original steps, save an upgrade in internal wiring. This tradition has made it one of the most popular light fixtures ever made, and one of the best selling pieces the Castiglioni brothers ever made.

At the Modern Museum of Art in New York, the Arco is on permanent display and is decorated with several awards, a testament to its versatility and timelessness. It is a staple in the Flos lighting collection and will forever be celebrated as a step forward in modern design.