Home decorating, interior design ideas, garden design - Homes and Gardens

Jona Hoad, who set up his own studio in 1991, originally trained as a furniture designer at Buckinghamshire College but rapidly gravitated towards lighting, where he developed sophisticated techniques for cutting, etching and shaping acrylic sheet. His colourful glowing pieces (mostly made to order) are in great demand for homes, hotels and bars. His award-winning light, however, is a production piece for Hector Finch. Aptly called the Catherine Wheel, it grew out of the Eureka scheme, which puts makers in touch with designers.

Apart from its “shade”, the light is made from standard components to keep production costs down. The shade is a mirrored acrylic disc covered in an intricate pattern that was meticulously worked out on a computer. This was sent electronically to one of the most advanced laser etching machines in the country, which removes the silvering from the back of the disc to reveal the design.

Switched on at night, the light shines through the pattern which looks like a spidery doily. By day, the mirror catches and reflects any natural light. Fixed in the centre of the ceiling, the Catherine Wheel becomes an updated take on the classic ceiling rose, but the light can also be fixed to the wall. Using an ordinary compact fluorescent low-energy bulb, which is hidden from view, the light has minimal impact on the environment. It comes in two diameters, 35cm and 40cm, both of which are just 63mm deep.