Tom Raffield’s new Flux Light inspired by the sea
Helston, Cornwall (PRWEB UK) 16 January 2014 -- Award-winning lighting designer Tom Raffield is delighted to announce the addition of another new product to his contemporary wooden lighting range.
Tom was inspired to design the Flux Light by the flow of the tides and the form of the waves.
A central cylinder at the top of the light conceals the bulb, whilst fourteen strips of wood flow out and down to form a shape that is symmetrical, yet embraces the soft wave of contours flowing around the bottom edge of the shade.
Hand-crafted in Tom’s woodland workshop, each individual wooden strip is made up of three laminated lengths of wood and held in place at the top by flush-cut oak pegs that form a design feature in themselves. The interior is lined with two strips of ash that turns a beautiful golden colour when the light is on, reflecting the light out. The outside is made of classic, sustainably sourced oak, giving a gentle tone whilst allowing glimpses of the lighter wood lining the inside.
The result is a light which combines the majesty of symmetry, like the tide going in and out each day, with the organic wave and flow created by different lengths of wood undulating around the bottom of the shade.
Tom says: “I wanted to create a light that is a bit of a paradox and contains contrasting elements within it – both with the mix of woods and the contrast in architectural symmetry and organic sweep within the design. I suppose this is inspired by the sea - by the daily turning of the tides which is always the same, alongside the waves and temperament of the water which is always in flux.”
The Flux Light also marks a slight change in technique for Tom, as sections are crafted using lamination instead of steam bending. This involves using two formers to handcraft each piece of wood into the delicate shape of the Flux Light.
Tom says: “This is the best way to get an exact curve without having to support the wood in the same way as steam bending. It also means we can form what looks like a single piece of wood from three individual strips, allowing the contrast between the outside and inside – like an oyster shell. This joining of woods makes the glimpses you get of the inside and outside of this light from any angle, possible. The overall effect is quite oriental, like origami, and there is an incredible warmth to the light.”
Different bulbs used within the shade will create different lighting effects, some cast a gentle star shape on the ceiling whilst others encourage all the light to shine down and out through the soft shapes of the sides and bottom of this stunning, yet subtle, piece.
The Flux Light pendant is made of ash and oak and retails at £475. It is available to order now at tomraffield.com/products/ceiling-lights/flux-light. The light measures 60cm in height, 15cm in diameter at the top and 60cm at the bottom.
Suzie Cunliffe, Tom Raffield, http://www.tomraffield.com, +44 1326 722725, [email protected]
Share this article