February 05, 2026
In a world where objects are often made to be used and forgotten, the Rumee Portable Lamp emerges as something more intimate — a gentle beacon you choose to bring into your life. Designed by Singaporean-Porto designer Gabriel Tan for the storied Danish lighting house Louis Poulsen, Rumee captures an emotional connection to spaces near and far, inspired by a blend of cultural touch-points and deeply personal narratives.
Design Poetry in Form and Name
The name Rumee is a playful dual-language fusion — derived from the Danish word “rum,” meaning space or room, and the English me, while echoing the casual warmth of “roomie,” a companion you share your room with. It’s a clever linguistic gesture to something both functional and personal: a lighting piece that feels like a trusty roommate through life’s quiet and bright moments.
Tan’s inspiration for Rumee blossoms from organic forms — notably the graceful curves of a broad, wavy hat, evoking movement, shelter and the protective elegance of natural shapes. This sculptural silhouette isn’t just beautiful; it softly directs and sculpts light across spaces, offering a 360-degree ambient glow with a tilted head that doubles as a reading lamp, wrapped in a diffuser that ensures glare-free comfort.
Homegrown Sensibility, Global Outlook
Though proudly personal to Tan’s creative journey, Rumee feels especially resonant in Singapore — a city-state known for its seamless blend of modernity and heritage. Tan’s early curiosity in design began here, where a chance discovery of industrial design books at the National Library sparked a shift from naval officer aspirations to a lifelong creative path. Today, his design studio thrives between Singapore and Porto, Portugal, infusing Rumee with dual influences of Asian restraint and European minimalism that speak to a cosmopolitan design language.
This geographical partnership isn’t incidental; it reflects a modern creative outlook where cross-cultural perspective becomes a source of innovation. In Porto — a city steeped in material craft and Mediterranean light — Tan refined Rumee’s flowing profile, focusing on how light, touch, and form create an emotional resonance with users. The lamp’s inviting handle and portable design elevate it from simple illumination to a piece you carry with intention, whether lounging on a balcony in Lisbon or cosying up at home in Singapore.
Comfort Meets Functionality — Anywhere, Anytime
More than a sculptural object, Rumee embodies versatility. Built for both indoor and outdoor spaces with an IP44 rating, this portable lamp delivers up to five hours of gentle, warm light on a single charge — perfect for late-night reads, ambient dinner settings, or starry evenings in the garden. Its three-step dimming allows for tailored mood control, whether you crave soft ambience or brighter focus light.
In a market saturated with generic rechargeable lamps, Rumee’s thoughtful design — merging craftsmanship, emotional warmth, and a narrative rooted in lived experience — gives it a unique right to exist. It is not merely a tool, but a companion in light — inviting you to carry its warmth wherever life takes you.
