Blog/Meet The Designer: The Light Yard

redeed glass pendants from the light yard suspended over a vintage bathtub.

“We see ourselves as bringing together a collection of beautifully crafted designer lighting for interiors and exteriors…” - Jeff Fuller, The Light Yard

 

Handmade or hand-selected, we're proud to support exquisite craftsmanship and specialist skills. Join us as we sit down with artisans, curators and designers in our Meet The Designer series.

Luxury decorative lighting from The Light Yard.

Glass reeded pendants create the perfect ambiance in this scheme.

 

 

Specialising in beautifully crafted bespoke lighting solutions, The Light Yard is a firm favourite at Warehouse Home HQ. Read as we sit down with director Jeff Fuller to discuss châteaux, clients and collections.

Images courtesy of The Light Yard | Styling by Hannah Franklin

Tell us a little about The Light Yard, what do you specialise in?

At The Light Yard, we see ourselves as bringing together a collection of beautifully crafted designer lighting for interiors and exteriors rather than just an online retail store. We specialise in sourcing and supplying light fittings that are handcrafted by both British and European artisans. We can also offer assistance with lighting design and in 2017 we launched our in-house design service.

What is the inspiration behind the Alchemist collection? Do you have a favourite piece?

The Alchemist Collection is a joint collaboration between myself and Gwyn Carless. It was inspired by a rather late night, an empty bottle of wine and a kitchen table. Aware of the trend for exposed filament bulbs, we wanted to explore ways of showcasing them, encasing them in glass to create interesting patterns of reflections.

My favourite piece is the Cotton Mill Cluster. The modern sharp angular lines of the shade sharpen inner reflections of the filaments and contrast beautifully with the softer art deco style of the reeded (fluted) glass which lends a blurring effect to the inner reflections of the bulb.

Tell us a little about your vision in establishing The Light Yard. Why do you place such importance on artisan expertise in your designs?

By working on such an intimate level with our designers we, at The Light Yard, are able to offer our clients custom and bespoke solutions as well as the knowledge to completely understand the design and manufacture process. As a family run business we believe our relationship with the artisan is just as important as the products they make.

What do you enjoy most about being in this industry? Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on or specified lighting for?

I find it is such a diverse and exciting industry that is constantly pushing the boundaries of design. And I’m lucky to have met some inspiring and interesting people along the way. Running and growing your own business allows you to meet and interact with people from all disciplines, sectors, and nationalities. The creative minds of the artisans, in particular, Gwyn, never fails to impress. It’s fascinating to watch an idea on paper coming to life as a finished product.

 

The hangman's assistant the alchemist collection by the light yard.

The Alchemist Collection explores ways of showcasing the Edison bulb; encasing it in glass to create interesting patterns of reflections.

 

 

“As a family run business we believe our relationship with the artisan is just as important as the products they make.”

Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on or specified lighting for?

In the past, I have been extremely lucky to have lit Châteaux in the South of France and the Alps. But…. If I had to pick a recent favourite it would have to be a private client who came to visit the new showroom space…on his birthday!

The house was a renovation of an old school and all the ceilings were curved and made from exposed brick and stone. We had to create a centrepiece pendant in a 5m high stairwell as well as a cluster of custom made copper leaf and smoked pendants that lead from the various hallways. The client was a joy to work with and the lighting installations worked fantastically well.

The variety always surprises me and I love the fact we never know from one day till the next what type of project (and where in the world) might land at our door! (or inbox!).

Your showroom and workshops sits within a Grade II Cotton Mill, do you find inspiration in its heritage features?

Absolutely. Some of the original industrial features have been restored and spindles and pulley wheels can be seen when walking around the building. In fact, the growth and development of the Alchemist Collection is inspired by both the industrial heritage of the Cotton Mill and the timely invention around the same period of the electric light bulb by British physicist Sir Joseph Swan in 1878.

What’s next for The Light Yard? Is there anything we should know about?

We are looking forward to growing our design service this year as well as a couple of exciting projects that we are working on later in the year. We are also looking to introduce a few new collections and designers in the summer.

And finally, what are your trend predictions for lighting in 2017?

2016 saw copper as the desired interior lighting feature. But we think Gold will take its place this year! The current trend for industrial style lighting is set to continue and we expect to see more fittings with a matt black finish.

Decorative urban industrial reeded glass pendant from The Light Yard.
"It’s fascinating to watch an idea come to life as a finished product..."

 

“2016 saw copper being the desired interior lighting feature. But we think Gold will take its place this year!…” Jeff Fuller, The Light Yard