How many Milanese – and non-Milanese – would like a table lamp with the ATM logo? Probably many given most people’s obsession with and sympathy for the city’s super-functioning public transportation service were it not for countless strikes. Unfortunately, it does not yet exist, but Only NY has just launched one to “glorify” the MTA, Metropolitan Transportation Authority – the Big Apple’s public transportation company. The minimalist yet somewhat pop design immediately caught our eye and we couldn’t help but talk about it. This table lamp is a collaboration between the brand Only NY, known for its New York City-inspired collections, and the MTA. All strictly licensed and official. The lamp features the “M” logo used by the MTA from 1968 until 1994, a symbol that can still be seen in some subway stations today. With a design reminiscent of the MTA’s entrance signs of the 1980s and 1990s, this lamp combines nostalgia and functionality, knowing how to hit straight at that strange fascination almost all of us have with subways and their graphic design.

The design of the MTA Table Lamp is thoughtful down to the smallest detail: a frosted glass dome with a screen-printed stamp of the historic MTA logo, resting on an iron base with laser-etched branding. The finishing touch is provided by the orange braided cable, inspired by construction sites, complete with a dimmable switch to adjust the light intensity as desired. This lamp is priced at $168 and has already proven to be a hit, selling out in minutes during the first launch.