Timberline table lamp – Gubi

Turning heads from the moment it was first launched in the 1970s, the Timberline lamp caught the design world’s attention with its distinctive curves and playful silhouette.

One of Mads Caprani’s most celebrated creations, it cemented his reputation as one of Denmark’s most influential designers and won him a devoted fanbase.

Following the successful revival of the Timberline Floor Lamp, GUBI continues to honor Caprani’s legacy by returning the Timberline Table Lamp to the world after decades out of production.

Marie Kristine Schmidt, Chief Brand Officer, GUBI: ‘After the success of the Timberline Floor Lamp, introducing the table lamp was a natural next step. We’re delighted to bring back such an elegant and characterful piece that stays true to Mads Caprani’s original vision. I’m confident it will become a desktop staple for design lovers worldwide.’

Inspired by and named after the tree line – the altitude at which trees can no longer grow – the design represents the boundary between forest and mountain through a material juxtaposition of wood and cast iron.

The signature swan- necked shape is reputedly derived from the curve of the question mark, which Caprani would habitually doodle at his desk while sketching new designs.

Mikkel Caprani, son of Mads Caprani: 'The fusion of these two influences – material and form – has resulted in a design that is both poised and mischievous, capturing the essence of 1970s Scandinavian modernism while being truly timeless in style.

‘My father’s idea was to combine design and functionality. The Timberline is more than a lamp; it is a sculpture that brings together nature, elegance, and purpose within the home. GUBI’s relaunch of the table lamp allows his ideas and designs to live on. It is a tribute to my father and his simple and timeless design.’

Building directly from Caprani’s original tabletop concept, the Timberline Table Lamp retains the iconic features of the floor lamp in a scaled-down format.

Subtle adjustments to its curves and proportions optimize stability and light distribution while preserving the visual coherence and elegance of Caprani’s design.

The construction of the Timberline Table Lamp involves the same materials and techniques as its floor-standing counterpart.

The bent-wood spine is crafted from nine alternating layers of oak and birch veneer, meticulously shaped to maintain the lamp’s elegant form.

A CNC machine precision-cuts the groove that discreetly houses the cord, preserving the lamp’s clean, minimalist silhouette.

The stem is anchored in a black, crescent-shaped cast iron base, which provides both visual balance and a sturdy foundation, ensuring the lamp is as stable as it is stylish.

Like the floor lamp, the Timberline Table Lamp provides localized, intimate lighting that brings a warm ambience to any space, without overwhelming it.

The lamp is delivered in a flat-pack format for easy and efficient shipping. Designed for simple assembly and disassembly, each component is replaceable, facilitating maintenance and maximizing the lamp’s lifespan.

Its smaller size means the lamp can be easily moved around the home, with the tactile wooden stem doing double duty as a convenient carry handle.

Mikkel Caprani, son of Mads Caprani: ‘The Timberline series is truly special, presenting a clean, minimalist expression that defined my father’s design for many years. The table lamp, as a scaled-down version of the floor model, takes up less space, making it easier to place around the home. The two models complement each other and can easily stand together side by side, like father and son.’

Pleated shades are a signature feature of Caprani lighting, thanks to the designer’s pioneering method of creating rounded pleats in folded paper.

Like the floor lamp, the Timberline Table Lamp shade is formed from durable white canvas, bringing a third natural material to the composition, alongside wood and iron.

The shade softens and diffuses the light, enhancing the calm and inviting atmosphere that the Timberline creates.

A custom-designed mechanism attached to the arm allows for easy adjustment of the shade on a single axis by hand, enabling the user to direct the light as needed, whether for focused tasks, or to soften the ambience.

Mads Caprani’s approach to light was characterized by the use of multiple light sources of different types and sizes to create defined zones.

The Timberline Table Lamp, with its discreet warm glow and carefully selected materials, is ideal for creating inviting, layered ambiences within the home.

GUBI’s two Timberline models – floor and table lamp – work together harmoniously, allowing for versatile lighting options to be deployed side by side to match the purpose and mood of the moment, bringing warmth and depth to any setting.