Situations of Light: 5 British Designers Reimagining Illumination
Good lighting doesn’t just illuminate a room — it establishes a language that sets the tone of the stories to be made in the space; the words to be spoken, relationships to be made, feelings to be felt and shared.
In the words of the American minimalist artist Dan Flavin (1933-1996), it has the power to create ‘situations’ of light and colour, intrinsically woven into and redefining the fabric of a space.
His use of fluorescent lamps to create light sculptures reconceived the relationship between art and space. Flavin also reminds us of the great impact that can be achieved from using seemingly ordinary or industrial objects.
Pictured: Installation view, Dan Flavin: Works from Dia Art Foundation, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia, 2024, via David Zwirner
At lumen & line, we believe that the spirit and teachings of art, design and spaces are intrinsically linked. Flavin’s ‘situations’ mirror the way in which we can approach our own space – where light accents and ambiance serve to give a soul and vocabulary to a space, helping it to speak to and guide those within it.
Now let’s look at five modern British lighting designers who are really holding the torch on proving that style, sustainability and a strong sense of place go hand in hand – with that magic mix of heritage and innovation.
1. Tala
Tala’s founders, Josh, Max and William, are bound by a passion for achieving a low-carbon world through design. They champion high-quality, sustainable materials (think aluminium and hardwoods) that stand the test of time, following circular design principles and LED technology to reduce waste and energy usage, as part of their mission to become ‘the world’s definitive zero carbon lighting brand’. Tala also partners with rewilding and reforestation initiatives, planting trees for every product sold. What really sets them apart is their fusion of tech and craft – recycled glass meets hand-spun brass, smart dimming meets old-school glow. Their bulbs, often sculptural enough to be standalone pieces, draw on organic forms, complementing their lighting structures to bring curiosity to every room. It is no surprise that the Voronoi II Pendant Light is a best-seller – we love the gentle charisma of its twisted glass form. Looking for something bolder? The Kilter Wall Light will accent any space by emphasising its horizontal or vertical geometries. We also adore the Alumina Multi-Use Lamp in Blossom and the Shore Table Lamp in Sea Green.
Pictured below (from left to right): Voronoi II Pendant Light, Kilter Wall Light, Alumina Multi-Use Lamp, Shore Table Lamp, via Tala
2. Hand & Eye Studio
Born from the belief that lighting should be both functional and sculptural, Hand & Eye Studio has a distinctively architectural sensibility. British-based and led by Tom Housden and Alex Johnen, the studio works with makers across Europe to create high quality and sustainable lighting that delight the senses whilst celebrating the inherent warmth, beauty and honesty of materials – including the likes of clay, terracotta, porcelain and ceramic. They draw from earthy elemental forms whilst maintaining a clean-lined aesthetic, committed to the idea that lighting has the power to transform spaces and how we live within them. The team works closely with architects on residential and commercial projects globally – including on bespoke commissions. The pale pistachio green O-Beam, designed by Tom Housden, is a real show stopper at 1600mm long, whilst the bold and beautiful Terracotta Family (Terracotta Small, Terracotta Medium and Terracotta Large; the studio’s first light) add drama to a space, designed for use individually or in combination. We’d also like to share a special mention also to the striking Io light, which truly celebrates sustainable design through the disc’s composite material, which is made from recycled ceramic and glass waste products.
Pictured below (from left to right): O-Beam, Terracotta Medium, Terracotta Small, Io light, via Hand & Eye
3. CTO Lighting
Founded in 1998 by Chris and Clare Turner, CTO Lighting believes that exceptional design and sustainability go hand in hand, going beyond trends to create ‘timeless pieces that are both beautiful and responsible’. Manufactured in the UK, the studio champions British craftsmanship, celebrating the beauty and durability of noble materials – brass, alabaster, bronze and hand-blown glass – and their potential to achieve striking and luxurious architectural forms. They are firm in their commitment to sustainable processes, ensuring that an eco-conscious approach is woven into every detail of their craft. We love the organic pebble-like form of the PETRA Pendant Light which would bring a calm sophistication to any space, as well as the versatile modular geometries of the MODULO series, by Italian designer Federico Peri, which have a playful sculptural quality. Paying homage to the Cubist movement, the unusual silhouette of the Cubist Table Light is designed to enchant from any angle.
Pictured below (from left to right): PETRA Pendant Light, MODULO series single and combination, Cubist Table Lamp, via CTO Lighting
4. Original BTC
With a commitment to British craftsmanship and design, Original BTC is a family run business founded in 1990 by Peter Bowles. Despite building strong international presence and recognition (including a prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2015), their processes are firmly rooted in local craftsmanship – designed and manufactured in England. A pioneer in British manufacturing, Peter was the first designer to use bone china in lighting; an early design, the Hector Table Light (recently updated for their 30th Anniversary) becoming an icon globally. All bone china lights continue to be manufactured via traditional methods in Stoke-on-Trent. The collection is classic and timeless, featuring both Original BTC designs and those of their acquired businesses including Davey Lighting in 2010. We are particularly taken by the Alma range, a collaboration between Original BTC and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman, designed to ‘go-anywhere’ – the Alma Wall Light with Dimmer, Cable & Plug in Coral being a favourite, brightening up any space. We are also a little obsessed with the industrial maritime quality of the Davey Lighting Well Glass range, particularly the Well Glass Wall Light 7679 in galvanised silver. The beautiful sculptural tactility of the intricate Fin and Hatton ranges also deserves a strong mention, crafted from bone china yet maintaining a weightless, paper-like aesthetic – see the Fin Large Pendant and Hatton 2 Pendant, both in natural white. Classic, yes. But we also admire the studio’s quirky edge, evidenced through their Teapot and Teacup pendant designs which are inspired by the 1930s tableware once produced in their Stoke-on-Trent factory.
Pictured below (from left to right): Hector 30 Table Light, Alma Wall Light, Well Glass Wall Light 7679, Hatton 2 Pendant, via Original BTC
5. Spark & Bell
Started as a passion project in Brighton by Emer Gillespie in 2015, Spark & Bell is committed to beautiful, personalised and sustainable lighting design. Every light they produce is handmade to order and follows the principles of circular design, quality, durability and repairability. Benefitting from Brighton’s thriving creative scene and adopting a playful multidisciplinary approach to lighting, the studio has forged partners with local makers across carpenters, ceramicists, craftspeople and creatives – including collaborations with KP Studio, Matt Boysons, Make Relief, Throw to Fire and Steady On Designs. Their signature double disk Aureole Wall Light is a colourful statement piece, available in a range of hues; our favourite being the Marble Blush Pink. Inspired by the 1920s, the Small Opal Glass Double Arm Wall Light – Hardwood is perfect for bringing curiosity and colour to a small space. We also love the simplicity of the Shelly Wall Light, available in coral pink, moss green, satin brass, powder-coated white or powder-coated black.
Pictured below (from left to right): Aureole Wall Light in Emerald Green and Pink, Aureole Wall Light in Marble Blush Pink, Small Opal Glass Double Arm Wall Light, Shelly Wall Light, via Spark & Bell
In a world full of mass-produced sameness, choosing pieces made with care, character and a bit of homegrown magic is a small act of rebellion. These makers show that British design can be innovative, experimental, joyful — and kind to the planet too.
Thanks for reading,
V x
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