A brand that can trace its lineage as far back as the 17th century is unquestionably enduring. However, what really characterises David Hunt Lighting is not only its provenance but also its pioneering spirit. Born in 1687, master brass founder John Hunt (the earliest family member on record) made his name crafting ornate candlesticks. During the late 1700s, as the Industrial Revolution began to transform the British landscape, the Hunt family seized the opportunity and began to innovate, pivoting from candlesticks to outdoor gas lamps. The company was not only selected to exhibit its exciting new designs at Prince Albert’s prestigious Great Exhibition in 1851, but also became among the first to light the streets of Britain.
As technology developed further by way of electricity and the National Grid, the David Hunt Lighting brand was once again at the forefront. It was a leader of electroplating by the 1890s, then overhauled the then Birmingham-based factory to become one of the first manufacturers of electric lighting – a decade before the technology was rolled out nationwide. The exciting and ornate designs from this period captured the Art Deco sensibilities of the day and beautifully adorned the newly built Odeon cinemas of the 1930s.
A brand that can trace its lineage as far back as the 17th century is unquestionably enduring. However, what really characterises David Hunt Lighting is not only provenance but also its pioneering spirit
The long-awaited design revival of the 1950s and 1960s saw a young David Hunt move the company factory to the northern edge of the Cotswolds, while continuing to embrace new ideas and technology. At this time, it was an industry leader in spun metal and fine resin casting techniques that typified this futuristic and forward-thinking era. Over the last 20 years, the company has driven some exciting changes, including a rejuvenation of its design archive, the genesis of a talented new design team and an unashamed revival within the British interior design sector.
Creative Director Hollie Moreland joined David Hunt Lighting in 2005 and initially worked alongside the tenth generation of the family, Peter Hunt. She now works in partnership with Product Manager Steve Hillman and Managing Director Andrew Cooper, who, alongside their talented team, are collectively continuing to inspire within the modern lighting industry. David Hunt Lighting’s spring/summer 2022 collection is a perfect example of this. The ‘Scallop’ pendant, launched at London Design Week and the hero product of the collection, characterises Hollie’s methodology: ‘This launch was about reintroducing some fun and colour back into the world after a prolonged hiatus,’ she explains.
‘For the London Design Week launch, we combined our ‘Scallop’ design with sumptuous paint colours by fellow British brand Little Greene,’ continues Hollie. ‘This culminated in a series of stunning one-off pieces that we showcased at our Chelsea showroom during the event. The bold and expressive combinations, seen on the spun pendant, have now been echoed on our own product configurator, allowing our customers to really explore their own tastes.’
The David Hunt Lighting product configurator, available on the brand’s website, enables its customers to build and visualise their potential product combinations in real time, which really helps when selecting accessories for an interior design scheme. It also underlines the brand characteristics of innovation and exploration that John Hunt initiated almost 350 years ago.
David Hunt Lighting Third Floor, Centre Dome, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 0XE +44 (0)20 7349 8111
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