A sneak peek at the Lighting by Design exhibition, launching at Chelsea Design Centre

Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour in London is about to launch an inspiring new lighting show called Lighting by Design. Running from Monday 15 through Friday 26 November, the exhibition will be dedicated to this essential design element. 

The free exhibit comes at the perfect time, as we begin to experience much shorter days and darker evenings. Having had a sneak peek at a selection of the bold and brilliant lighting on show, we know it will spark lots of modern living room lighting ideas to light up any dark corners.

The installation, which throws open its doors in just two days' time, comprises a series of themed galleries. Showcasing over 90 pieces from 30 brands from around the world, Lighting by Design includes innovative brands such as the Italian masters of handmade glass lighting, Gallotti & Radice.

Talks will be held by the brightest minds in the industry, with lighting designers Sally Storey and Rebecca Weir as guest speakers. Guided tours and talks on the transformative power of light are available of book on eventbrite. 

Lighting is arguably the most powerful tool in a designer’s arsenal; the 'make or break' component of a scheme. Correctly done, it defines a specific atmosphere, enhances architectural features and, more practically, means we can see what we're doing.

Moreover, light has an undeniable impact on our productivity and mood and well-being more generally, a topic that is being explored increasingly by designers.

With work by a multitude of designers concentrated in one space, the Lighting by Design installation is sure to be a fabulous way to gain inspiration for striking lighting features at home. Think pendants hanging down to meet floor, dynamic wall lighting and table lamps raised on platforms.

The exhibit is organized into four key elements: glass, texture, color, and white. Each section has a range of exceptional and creative lighting, whether you're looking for impactful entryway lighting ideas or simply soaking up the atmosphere.

Glass is reinvented by designers – see Baroncelli’s ‘Mico’ pendant, a suspended hoop studded with glass ‘pearls’. Light's quintessential partner is also transformed in Bella Figura's roaring twenties-inspired 'Ruffle' chandelier with overlapping rosettes of satin glass.

Texture is used in innovative ways, from papier-mâché pendants to bronze ‘Reef' table lamp in bronze by Alexander Lamont. Subtle, semi-translucent colour, on the other hand, brings playfulness in Adam Nathaniel Furman x Curiosa & Curiosa’s amorphous Glowbule (pictured above, top).

Lovers of minimalism and neutrals will be inspired by the white lighting, from matt plaster to marble and alabaster. There's the unique ‘Melange’ table lamp by Kelly Wearstler for Circa Lighting and glowing bone china chandeliers.

The event will be the first of its kind at Chelsea Harbour, and it's set to become an annual celebration. This year’s Lighting by Design gallery anticipates a bigger and brighter version of the event in November 2022.