Kinzig Design Lamps

Susan Kinzig was already established nationally as a well-respected jewelry designer when her sister-in-law, Caryn Kinzig, left a successful investment career to join forces with her and enter the world of lamp design. Their odyssey began with a visit to the Bowery, New York City’s lighting district, where they shyly asked some parts suppliers to teach them the mechanics of building a lamp. “The guys looked at us oddly at first, but showed infinite patience while we learned,” Susan recalls. “We thanked them with a box of cannolis and said, ‘One day you’ll be proud to know us.’ It’s true. And we’re still buying parts from them.”

Collaborating equally on the lamp designs since then, Susan works closely with the glass artists and produces the lamp bases in her San Francisco studio while Caryn searches the world for embroidered silk fabric and sews the shades in Philadelphia. The partners now sell their lamps to premier galleries, home accent stores and design showrooms in every region of the country.