55 BEST: Lighting Stores
Table, task, floor, pendant and wall – together with garden and bathroom. All the best styles and sources brought together for you in one big list, so you can dive in and out whenever you need.
I spent ages thinking about how to present this. My initial grouping of high street, high end, vintage, etc, didn’t quite work, as some stores sell their own designs and others simply buy in (or curate, as I’m sure they would prefer to say). I appreciate that alphabetical might feel annoying if you don’t know the name of the store you are looking for, but in the end I decided it was the best way to browse and the fairest way to organise the information. I have explained what each place does beneath the headings, so you can decide for yourself if you want to click.
Then, in the images, I have given you a flavour of my favourites from the current ranges, rather than picking out what I think are the best individual lights. This is because my favourite isn’t necessarily yours – and things go out of stock. This way you will still have a list of places to look for what you need and like, while the products themselves may change over time. I didn’t make each light clickable, as that will rapidly end up as a series of dead links, but we’re all search-literate now, so you can go to the site and search for tortoiseshell table lamp or pink lampshade and see for yourself.
If you do know the name you are looking for click the relevant letter below to be taken straight to the first one in that section:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
#1 ANTHROPOLOGIE
US, UK, France & Germany. High street
Opened in Pennsylvania in 1992, Anthropologie has become a staple of the high street with its colourful boho-style fashion, but there are plenty of great homewares too, and its lighting collection is strong. Like many other global stores, it has started selling smaller brands, which brings them to a wider audience – and some of which are featured separately in this list.
#2 BIRDIE FORTESCUE
Luxury homeware since 2016
Birdie started out working for Colefax & Fowler in the 1980s before setting up an antiques business and expanding into textile design in 2016. Since then she has added furniture and lighting to the range. Her rattan collection is particularly strong.
#3 CORSTON ARCHITECTURAL
Own manufacture & design, affordable, quality hardware UK, US, EU
The company controls its own means of production so the quality is assured and the prices are great. This is always my first stop for bathroom lights, and the newly launched outside/garden collection is also good. As well as brass, which you can find everywhere, they do bronze and polished nickel – and since they do a full range of hardware, you can co-ordinate lights, handles and switches to create a seamless and well put-together look. If you prefer the architectural details to disappear, then check out their paintable range of lights, sockets and switches.
#4 CONTAIN.ES
Based in Mallorca, Contain uses local materials and 3D printing technology. We used their lights all over the hotel I worked on recently in Mallorca and the quality is great. I particularly love the alabaster.
#5 COX & COX
Online curated collections with a minimal Scandinavian aesthetic. Good range of outdoor and festoon lights. Come here for neutrals and shades of grey.
#6 CRATE & BARREL
US with international shipping only for orders over $5,000
This is great for classic styles in interesting shapes. Lots of metallics, linen, opaline and glass. If sculpture is your thing then this is definitely worth a browse. Look out for collaborations with designers including Jake Arnold (below right) Jeremiah Brent and Athena Calderone, aka Eyeswoon.
#7 DAVID HUNT LIGHTING
A British heritage brand whose earliest recorded employee made brass candlesticks in 1687, this company creates classic lighting but also works to develop interesting techniques (e.g. patterns made from imprinted leaf moulds) as well as using lots of colour. Look out for the customisable range – especially the scallop – which can be painted in the colours of your choice.
#8 DIFFUSION LUCE
I used this site specifically to source ceramic bulb holders for my house in Italy. They cost less than €14 and come in a huge range of colours. Add a reflective bulb in gold, sliver or copper, and they make the perfect wall lights as they cast very pretty shadows on the wall behind. Otherwise expect a range of named designer lights at all price brackets.
#9 DOWSING AND REYNOLDS
I’ve known this Leeds-based company for years and love their approach. They started with colour flex cable and have expanded to lighting, sockets and switches which come in everything from Miami pink to cherry red and cobalt blue. Personally I love the classic whipped cream.
#10 DUSK
An online lighting superstore that brings together a collection of global designers such as West Country-based Tom Raffield, Spanish innovator Oriol Llahona and WIS Design from Sweden. Shop by room, style, finish or fitting, with categories including animal, funky and bizarre as well as the more classic pieces. The site also includes tips on how to light the living room, breakfast bar ideas and how to work with sloping ceilings.
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