Tala’s Wake light mimics sunset to help you unwind while a gradual sunrise eases you into the day
A good night’s sleep is key to our sense of wellbeing and we might all have specific rituals and habits to help us wind down. But our bright bedside lamps, not to mention our doom scrolling habits, might well be getting in the way of the rest we all desperately need. This is where Tala, the British lighting brand known for its precision engineering and design-led approach to sustainability, comes in. Partnering with Heatherwick Studio, Tala has launched a sleep light called, paradoxically, Wake.
Wake offers a serene way to wind down and wake up by using gentle light and natural sounds to improve sleep routines. Taking inspiration from the shape of the sun, sunsets and the undulations of open water, it’s crafted from hand-spun ceramic and pressed glass. The lamp’s rotating base dial allows users to adjust the light settings and carefully curated soundscapes, which range from rhythmic alphorn wake-up tones to rainforest recordings.
“In the realm of sleep, the digital revolution has been wreaking havoc. Instead of your bedroom being a calm, intimate place for recuperation, your entire world of messaging, news and entertainment is right next to you, beckoning for your attention,” says Thomas Heatherwick.
“Wake is our attempt to re-establish the sacredness of sleep and bring back analogue calm. It is an alternative form of bedside light and alarm, made from natural materials, which uses light, touch and sound to rid ourselves of yet more plasticky tech devices, and instead conjure up nature to help restore sleep to its rightful place in our lives.”
The first product in Tala’s growing smart-lighting range, Wake offers a thoughtful take on sleep technology with a design that celebrates aesthetics and materiality, as well as functionality.
“Wake draws on sleep science to simulate a gradual, biologically effective sunrise, blending warm-to-bright light with calming nature sounds,” explains Josh Ward, Tala co-founder. “This gentle approach replaces harsh alarms and helps you wake in a natural and restorative way. It also supports low-light evening wind-downs that promote melatonin release and encourage healthier rituals around rest.”
Portrait imagery by Raquel Diniz
The accompanying Tala app allows owners to tweak the light and sound settings to their own preference. Healthier sleep and a calm wake-up routine is now mercifully within reach.
Imagery Courtesy of Heatherwick studio
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