Lighting is a key element in any home—whether on water or on land—both for functionality and style. In this field, QU continues to stand out for its iconic and design-forward solutions, which add a touch of refined detail to even the most elegant spaces.
This Italian company is an emerging name in the technical-decorative lighting sector. Recently, the brand launched a lighting solution that is truly breathtaking in both beauty and practicality: Duolì, a custom lamp that is also perfectly suited to non-nautical settings, such as luxury hotels. It’s a product that embodies QU’s vision of light, which was recently showcased at Milan Design Week 2025 with the installation “Quattro – a taste of light”.
Duolì, design and versatility for any setting
Duolì is a table lamp originally created as a custom piece for the lighting project at Hotel Capitolo Riviera in Nervi, designed by architects Parisotto+Formenton for QU. Its evocative design draws inspiration from the iconic Asian conical hat made of rice straw, translating that functional simplicity into a pure, essential, and timeless form. With its refined aesthetics and lightweight silhouette, Duolì stands out for its ability to blend seamlessly into a wide range of environments—from private homes to professional and hospitality spaces like offices and hotels, and even aboard yachts and superyachts.
The slender stem of Duolì, reminiscent of reeds bending in the wind, supports a delicately shaped lampshade that emits a soft, focused light—ideal for reading, working, or creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The design by QU stands out in any setting: at home, Duolì fits effortlessly into both modern and classic interiors thanks to its timeless style, becoming an elegant light source for desks, bedside tables, or coffee tables; in offices, the clamp-on version offers a practical solution for maximizing workspace while ensuring optimal lighting and a distinctive touch of style; in hotels and on boats, Duolì becomes a functional and decorative furnishing element, helping to create sophisticated, well-lit environments in rooms, lobbies, or cabins.
Entirely crafted from aluminum, Duolì combines lightness with strength. The base, available in either an asymmetrical freestanding version or with a clamp, ensures stability and convenience without compromising elegance. Every detail is designed for maximum functionality and durability, making QU’s lamp a long-lasting investment with timeless appeal. There are no fewer than seven available finishes available—Black, White, Sage Green, Fierce Green, Night Blue, Ancient Brick, and Silver Grey—each reflecting a careful eye for contemporary trends, allowing users to choose the perfect shade for any setting. Like all QU products, Duolì can also be customized upon request to meet the needs of bespoke projects, offering a level of exclusivity that makes it ideal for high-end environments.
The QU installation at the Milan Design Week
In addition to the launch of this new product, QU was recently on the spotlight at Milan Design Week 2025, marking its fourth appearance with an installation that showcased the brand’s unique vision of light. The installation, titled “Quattro – a taste of light,” is the fourth fuorisalone episode born from the collaboration between the Ravenna-based company and art director Aldo Parisotto of Parisotto+Formenton Architetti. This year, the project focused on the relationship between light and conviviality, offering a journey of discovery articulated through four distinct moments: from the garden to the indoor spaces, visitors encountered different hospitality experiences, each designed for specific types of use and times of day. Throughout the experience, light harmonized with each of the four settings, modulating atmospheres and levels of intimacy—much like a tasting menu in which every bite contributes to a multisensory symphony.
In the garden, an en plein air setup featured bistro tables on a platform nestled among camellias and beneath a large magnolia tree, offering a refreshing springtime pause from the hustle and bustle of the fair. The ambiance was enhanced by the soft glow of battery-powered lanterns and discreet lighting fixtures placed throughout the greenery, creating a relaxed, gentle atmosphere with a privileged view of the mini-kitchen set up in the greenhouse. Here, light was masterfully used to highlight the joy of food and conviviality, transforming into a magical glow as evening fell.
The interior spaces were equally evocative, hosting three distinct settings: in the first room, a horseshoe-shaped chef’s table encouraged informal hospitality, enhanced by a site-specific chandelier that bathed the room in diffused light—an expression of QU’s talent for creating bespoke lighting solutions. The second room, more intimate and secluded, featured a large round table designed to invite guests to linger and engage in conversation. Lastly, the working lounge, located in the rear section of the house, was dedicated to relaxation and connection, with a comfortable living area and a large communal table.
The entire experience became a true expression of QU’s vision, perfectly blending bespoke and standard solutions. Moreover, by using just four lighting collections—each interpreted for both indoor and outdoor use—the brand’s mission was clearly communicated: to offer a unified range of lighting fixtures capable of ensuring design coherence and continuity across all types of environments.
