Finding good lighting can be tricky. There's a couple of main brands (you know who I'm talking about) with some fairly reasonable, well-considered options but I also like to look for the slightly more unusual...the beautifully handmade or something antique/vintage with a story to tell.
Lighting is definitely something worth investing in. Beautiful table lamps and pendants can make all the difference to a room. I can't get enough lamps - we tend to have most of our main overhead lighting either on dimmers or off most of the time and use lots of lamps for that lovely soft, cosy feel. If you can - get all your sockets for lamps in each room linked to one switch for ease. Unfortunately when I moved into the flat, it didn't make sense to re-do the electrics, so we have to turn the lamps on individually but there's also something quite lovely about this ritual too every afternoon and evening.
So I've made a list of some of my favourite places to buy lights below- some for antique/vintage finds, some for beautiful handmade pieces to treasure, others if you have a DREAM budget and can go for a real investment piece...
Kelly Jessiman
One of my favourite ceramicists at the moment. I love her experimentation with sizes, forms and shapes along with her bold use of colour.
Wonky af chequered stoneware candlestick lamp £100
Lamp London Home
It's in the name really- this lovely shop in Peckham sells a lovely array of both vintage lamps that have been refurbished along with colourful ceramic lamps designed just for them. You can buy over Instagram @lamp_london_home .
Kathleen Hills
I came across Kathleen's work though one of my favourite Instagram accounts @goodboneslondon . I love the bone china porcelain lights that would be beautiful in a kitchen. £115 each.
Partnership Editions Home
I've followed Partnership Editions for years (brilliant, more affordable artwork) and their new home collection features some talented emerging artists and unique, handmade pieces to treasure....like this lamp below by Laxmi Hussain. They've got some new contributors joining the collection soon too so look out for bespoke pieces.
Pooky
It's a classic and does have some good, reasonable price points. I find there's lots of good stuff and a handful of not so good, but it's all about picking wisely and choosing things with an expensive-looking finish to them. Plus they have super speedy delivery which is great. Some of my picks from the site:
Merlin Pendant Lamp in Natural Cane £70
Folie Chambre
Home of brilliant antique furniture and her signature bobbin mirrors, now stocked in Liberty's, Nat has turned her attention to beautiful wooden lamps - hand-turned in a small factory in Yorkshire.
Lights and Lamps
A good option for on-trend pieces without huge price tags. I really like their current collab with Living Etc which includes this rattan and marble lamp- there's a floor lamp version too.
Ardini Table Lamp £139
Georges Store - Paris
So I have one of these in our living room and I have to say, it was one of the most confusing website to navigate.` If you can get your head around it, they do sell lovely petal-shaped pendant lights in a large selection of colours.
Laurie Lamps
Now based in Suffolk and founded by Rob Laurie in 2017. Gorgeous ceramic lamps in bold colours and elegant, earthy versions too.
If you have the budget:
Palefire Studio
Beautiful imagery accompanies this new brand set up by Rowena Morgan-Cox. The lamp bases are made from moulded, recycled paper pulp by a small family workshop in Barcelona and then assembled and painted in the UK.
Parasol Table Lamp from £445
Susie Atkinson:
Plato Lamp £800 - handcrafted from steel and coated in a high gloss paint, on spherical brass feet.
And whilst we're at it, here's a quick round up of some of my favourite lampshades:
Hum - hand-painted lampshades - run by sisters Hermione and Ellie.
Blue Gingham from £60
Birdie Fortescue
Raffia lampshades from £62.50
MADE.com
on SALE -£12 for this simple and elegant off-white and black trimmed shade
Matilda Goad
Instagram is awash with her signature lampshades and quite rightly. They suit every lamp base and I've got my eye on two of these gorgeous red shades for our back bedroom. Medium size- £162
Alvaro Picardo
Hand-painted lampshades in bold striped patterns or available for commissions.
LovingSTRING
I love these clever lampshades made with string, available in a whole host of fun colour ways. Available on Etsy - £80
