Dropping in with an update today…. do you remember a couple of months ago I wrote about the Florence Broadhurst archive? She was the Australian designer who was found murdered in her studio with two cups of tea by the body? Her designs had fallen out stock everywhere until a group of women decided the revive her backlist and obtained the rights to sell her original patterns and to create new products. You can catch up with all here before I introduce you to the first of the new products – lighting.
Shortly, after I had written about them the first time I was invited to speak at the annual Red Smart Women event, where, after the talk, I met Rebecca Lawrence, an interior designer and one of the three women who have revived the Florence Broadhurst archive. She told me that the wallpapers and fabrics were doing well and that they were about to launch their first range of lighting.
“Have you done one with a very tall thin shade?” I asked. For I am nothing if not selfish when it comes to new product launches and it just so happened I been searching for a 1970s style floor lamp with a tall thin shade to go in the library.
“We have,” she said. “As well as a table light and a smaller, squatter floor lamp.”
And, following on from Monday’s post about predicting a trend that is another way that things come to the fore – when you realise that everyone is thinking about the same thing at the same time. And this retro 70s style of lighting is it.
The bases, which come in several colours including burgundy, green, amber and smoke, are made in Dorset from recycled glass. The floor lamp is called the Bingle, after Nerissa Bingle, who worked with Florence at her studio during the 1960s and 70s. As did Sally Fitzpatrick, who lends her name to the fatter, wider floor lamp and finally the Geyson, in honour of Leonie Geyson.
The shades are made from Buckrum paper, which is strong and durable and the edge has been handrolled. This makes it more expensive but gives a better finish and Rebecca told me they had made that decision as they felt the quality was important. The fabric cable is a natural cream colour.
You can buy just the shades if you already have a base or, if you contact them, you can mix and match bases and shades. When Rebecca brought them to show me I stuck with her original combinations but have since decided it would be fun to mix and match.
Prices start at £365 for the table lamp (£235 shade only) rising to £395 for the two floor lamps. They are also selling cushions now too. You can buy them singly – patterns with stripes on the back or in sets of two and three which, if you are nervous about mixing patterns, is a great way to learn how to do it.
What gorgeous designs! I have a friend who also makes fabulous tall retro lampshades but she uses upcycled vintage fabrics. Her shop is called Witty Dawn on Etsy and her lampshades are totally stunning and an absolute bargain – prices from around £18 for a handmade, upcycled statement lampshade – can’t say fairer than that! https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WittyDawnUK?section_id=23851892
Wow, that floor lamp Bingle looks amazing. Interesting story. Nice to see it come back.
Kate, you failed to mention the most outstanding feature in your library photo – Enid The Cat. She’s not doing her usual model pose of stretching out languorously while looking over her shoulder at you. Had you just remonstrated with her? Had she just knocked the lamp over? We need to be told. (And thank you for the post. So pleased you are back to your usual self.)
Yes I didn’t notice her there until afterwards! I’ve no idea why she looks peeved at some perceived slight!