Best of British Lighting with The English Home  

The English Home has championed British brands for as long as I can remember, and it is always important to remind ourselves of the exciting diversity of design and craftsmanship we can all support by buying British for our homes. 

Lighting is often described as the jewellery of the home, and the saying goes that good lighting is imperceptible; it is only bad lighting that stands out. In this sector, British manufacturers lead the way in terms of high-quality pieces designed using the latest technology, unusual materials and time-honoured processes.

From bathroom chandeliers to slimline picture lights, The English Home delights in shining a light on innovative and expertly crafted designs from new and established names in British lighting, some of which can be found at Decorex this year.

Using new technology

The latest in new technology often arrives in commercial settings first, for instance, light panels that look like skylights or smart kits that eliminate the need for touching switches. In homes, one of the most prominent focuses over the past few years is developments in LED lighting. Neptune’s Hanover cordless lamp, John Cullen Lighting’s discreetly shaped, low-glare picture light and Vaughan Design’s Coldstream picture light are a few examples of the versatility of LED lights. 

Design solutions for different spaces

Bathroom lighting – both for efficiency and ambience – has undergone a huge transformation in recent years. For flexible task lighting, handmade, IP-rated fixtures by Fritz Fryer and one-watt, sensor-operated ‘marker’ lights from Astro Lighting are great options. For something more decorative, bathroom chandeliers are much more widely available today and one to highlight is Christopher Wray’s Triedro. 

In kitchens, LED strip lighting is highly recommended by industry experts, whether beneath or above wall cupboards, around an island or along the plinth. For layers of flexible lighting, a five-amp circuit whereby floor and table lamps can be operated via a switch by the door is also beneficial. 

Experimentation with materials 

Britain is globally renowned for its creative industries, and the lighting sector is just as exciting, with materials being used in all sorts of intriguing and innovative ways. Some of our favourites include Soane Britain’s rattan lighting collection, Porta Romana’s use of hand-glazed ceramic, wrapped cane, woven wicker and forged, sculpted metals, Pinch’s use of sustainable resources such as banana fibres, and David Hunt Lighting’s hand-painted resin lights. 

Handcrafted, sustainable designs

A great number of British brands are committed to making lighting by hand, often to a client’s individual requirements. Traditional and time-honoured skills are at the forefront of many designs, one example being Curiousa’s free-blown and individually hand-shaped glass designs. Alongside the handmade ethos, there is a focus on ensuring products are more sustainable too – for example, Porta Romana’s recycling and part-exchange service, Astro Lighting’s updated packaging and solar-powered HQ, and Tom Raffield’s employment of the age-old, low-wastage technique of steam bending.

Don't miss 

I’m delighted to be hosting a talk on the secrets of creating timeless designs and layered English homes full of personality at this year’s event. Hosted by The English Home, I’ll be joined by Charu Gandhi, founder of Elicyon, Johanna Molineus, owner of Johanna Molineus Architects, Anahita Rigby, founder of Anahita Rigby Ltd, Pandora Taylor, director at Pandora Taylor Interior Design, and Henriette von Stockhausen, founder and creative director at VSP Interiors. Join us at 3pm on Monday 9 October in the Seminar Theatre.

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