For skywatchers, 2024 has been a monumental year. One of earth's most spectacular natural phenomena, the Northern Lights (or aurora borealis), has awed spectators with appearances across the globe. Thanks to the sun's positionality in Solar Cycle 25—the cycle the sun completes every 11 years—intense geomagnetic storms have induced light displays bedazzling even the most avid "aurora-chasers." When electrically charged atoms from the sun's mass blow into earth's atmosphere at breakneck speeds (solar winds), they excite oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium molecules existing there. To return back to baseline, these atmospheric particles release excess energy in the form of light photons. Oxygen molecules produce green light, while nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium emit blues, reds, and purples. This year's geometric storms have painted exceptionally vivid color across the sky, the shimmering light touching all gradients of the rainbow.
In interior design, the mesmeric beauty of the aurora borealis has materialized in an unlikely place: the kitchen, and even more specifically, in kitchen tables. Indeed, designers have started to craft bespoke dining tables that swirl with celestial color, bringing the aurora borealis' enchantment indoors.
To achieve its distinct quality of movement, many designers opt for acrylic, glass, or resin for the tabletop. Kaleidoscopic color is inlayed, mimicking the glowing greens, blues, oranges, reds, and yellows that emerge in the sky. To capture the aurora borealis' shifting nature, some tables incorporate curving, unexpected shape, while others boast LED lighting systems that change tables' color-scapes in real time. Without doubt, gathering around one of these marvels would bring an element of wonder to any meal.
If you look closely at celebrity manicures, you’ll see that
a new trend has overtaken the red carpet—one that Glamour has dubbed
“aurora nails.” The style combines a base shade, gel, and holographic foil to
yield iridescent nails that change color as the wearer moves. While the gel and
holographic foil conjure the constant motion characteristic of the aurora
borealis, the base shade lends variety to overall feel. Pinks and peaches
bestow a soft elegance, reds and oranges a bold vividness, and purples and blues
a futuristic look that’s both playful and edgy.
Korean-American nail artist
Mary Koh explains the origin of aurora nails: “it’s a popular trend in Seoul,
which is where [she] learned it.” Customizable to each individual’s preference,
aurora nails deliver the luminescence of the aurora borealis to everyday
fashion.
The aurora borealis served as the model for an innovative architectural project that completed construction earlier this year. For Uncloud Coffee's Chonburi, Thailand location, Unknown Surface Studio translated the natural phenomenon into abstraction: the building undulates and bends, creating a flowing structure that looks distinctly other worldly.
The design, comprised of curving barriers, boasts functional advantages as well—by selectively opening at key angles, it minimizes heat and noise coming from the adjacent, busy roadway. Within the building is an open-air courtyard that features a sculptural wall covered in aurora borealis-inspired color. Icy pink and pale blue arch upwards, seeming to flicker and gleam like the dance of the aurora borealis.
We’ve created an aurora borealis of our own, gathering hues reminiscent of the breathtaking lights that leap across the sky. Soft and saturated, warm and cool, this palette of color incorporates some of our favorite greens, blues, yellows, oranges, and purples.
Peruse the collection here:
