A Big Blowup

Designer Kouichi Okamoto of Japanese design firm Kyouei Design elevates balloons from birthday-party backdrop to arty chandeliers, simply by adding tiny red lights and batteries. To make your own, all you need is the firm’s balloon lamp kit—and a strong set of lungs. European design Web site Designboom sells the D.I.Y. lights for $30, which includes shipping. Each set includes a balloon, a red LED bulb (which lasts for 100 hours), and two lithium batteries. Sure, a large installation requires many kits, but it’s still cheaper than a Murano chandelier.