Donna Gridley, Head of Creative, Northern Lights, discusses the inspiration behind the luxury lighting designs newly added to their Signature Collection
Lighting experts Northern Lights have expanded their made-to-order Signature Collection, adding new ranges and standalone designs to the already formidable lighting collection.
Fusing timeless style, luxury materials and versatility, more than fifty new designs have been added to the AW22/23 collection, including dramatic chandeliers, perfectly considered pendants, table, floor and wall lights, and cordless rechargeable lamps that can be moved around spaces with ease.
Collection designer and Head of Creative at Northern Lights, Donna Gridley, talks inspiration, luxury product design principles, and the importance of versatility.
WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?
My passion for art, sculpture and texture influences the development of my designs in different ways. Each design has its own narrative. It’s the product of a diverse range of artistic and travel inspirations, where timeless luxury is celebrated through shape, texture and form to create true versatility. Ultimately my aim is to create something beautiful that’s able to stand alone, unlit, as a decorative piece of art. However, when lit, has the power to transform the feel of a space & heighten the senses.
TELL US ABOUT THE MATERIALS USED?
Statement pieces demonstrate considered detailing in glass, metal and clay and new acid patinas. Hand sculptured and moulded ceramics feature unique textures and rich reactive glazes, whereas luxurious stone and alabaster offer an organic presence, as do the hand-turned wooden parts which can be finished in everything from Walnut to Wenge. Free blown and mould blown glass are also utilised, whilst fabricated metals are subjected to a wide variety of truly unique finishes, all applied and controlled in-house.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE RANGE?
The Reynard and Rathburn ranges showcase the natural patina of verdigris, and the stand-alone Argent Table lamp exemplifies the exquisite beauty of this organic acid finish – a finish as unpredictable as the reactive glazes we apply to our ceramic designs. This makes them all the more covetable because of the uniqueness it brings to every piece.
The Reynard collection combines a unique verdigris hand finished patina with rich bronze detailing, hand turned brass accents and a black granite base. Completed by an 8” or 12” beautiful cloche shade in Linen Oyster that gives it an unforgettable appeal.
WHY THE FOCUS ON VERSATILITY?
Versatility has never been so important in the design world. The required functions of residential and hospitality spaces are now much more multi-faceted, bringing more demand to designers to develop flexible solutions that work for each clients’ needs. The success of the Helios range of portable, rechargeable table lamps demonstrates this, allowing designers to illuminate spaces without the usual constraints of wires and socket locations. Helios was named finalist at The Brit List Awards 2022 for Best in British Product Design, and I could not be prouder! Fifteen new pieces have now been added including further options suitable for outdoor use, after identifying the need to connect indoor-outdoor spaces fluidly through lighting design.
The A/W Lookbook is out now and available to view or download on the Northern Lights website.
