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Karman SAHARA pendant lights by designer Matteo Ugolini, featuring sculptural glossy ceramic shades in deep emerald green, suspended in a dimly lit interior.

JOURNAL

Light. Design. Inspiration.

DESIGN MEETS INNOVATION

Here we share lighting insights, design inspiration, and project highlights — exploring how light can shape the way we live, work, and experience space.

From emerging trends and new technology to practical design advice and behind-the-scenes stories from our studio, this is your source of inspiration for all things lighting design.

Lighting inspiration straight to your inbox


There’s something unmistakable about the West Coast of New Zealand. It’s raw, rhythmic, and constantly shifting — where ocean, land, and light interact in ways that feel both powerful and calming.


The Raglan Collection by Formation Lights captures that essence and brings it indoors.


Modern kitchen featuring a sculptural Raglan Wave LED bar light suspended above a marble island, casting a warm ambient glow over natural timber cabinetry.

Inspired by one of New Zealand’s most iconic coastal landscapes, this range of sculptural LED lighting transforms natural forms into functional design — creating pieces that feel grounded, atmospheric, and distinctly local.


Lighting does more than illuminate a space — it defines how a space feels.

In kitchens, dining areas, and open-plan living environments, lighting often sits at the centre of both function and experience. It needs to perform, but it also needs to contribute to the overall design language of the home.


The Raglan Collection achieves this balance by combining:

  • Sculptural form inspired by nature

  • Warm, even LED output for practical use

  • Material honesty through natural timber finishes


The result is lighting that doesn’t just sit within a space — it becomes part of it.



Coastal landscape of Raglan, New Zealand, with rolling waves and rugged shoreline that inspire the natural forms of the Raglan lighting collection.

INSPIRED BY PLACE: THE RAGLAN LANDSCAPE

At the heart of the collection is a strong sense of place.


Raglan’s landscape is layered and expressive — from the rolling curves of its sandbar to the striking silhouette of Mt. Karioi, and the textured limestone formations shaped by centuries of erosion.


Formation Lights has translated these elements into a cohesive lighting series, where each design reflects a different aspect of the coastline. Together, they create a collection that feels connected, yet distinct in character.




THE COLLECTION BREAKDOWN


Raglan Sand Bar LED light featuring curved timber forms inspired by the flowing shapes of coastal sandbars.

Raglan Sand Bar — Soft & Flowing

Taking cues from the gentle curves of the sandbar at low tide, this design introduces a smooth, relaxed silhouette. It brings a sense of calm and fluidity into a space — ideal for interiors that lean toward softness and simplicity.




Mt Karioi LED bar light with angular timber fins, inspired by the ridgelines of Raglan’s iconic mountain.

Mt. Karioi — Bold & Structured

Defined by angular forms, this piece reflects the ridgelines of Mt. Karioi. It adds strength and architectural presence, making it well suited to more minimal or contemporary interiors where clean geometry is key.




Raglan Blocks LED bar light in natural timber, featuring layered linear panels inspired by coastal limestone formations.

Raglan Blocks — Textural & Grounded

Inspired by limestone pancake formations, this design explores repetition and layering. It introduces depth and rhythm, offering a more tactile, grounded aesthetic.




Raglan Wave LED bar light with a flowing timber profile, inspired by ocean movement and designed for kitchen and dining spaces.

Raglan Wave — Movement in Form

Echoing the motion of the ocean, this flowing design captures a moment of movement. It brings energy and softness at the same time — a balance that works beautifully above kitchen islands or dining tables.






Designer Ryan from Formation Lights working on a handcrafted lighting piece, highlighting the brand’s hands-on craftsmanship.

DESIGNED FOR REAL SPACES

While the collection is highly sculptural, it is equally practical.


Each Raglan light is designed as an LED bar fitting — ideal for:

  • Kitchen islands

  • Dining tables

  • Open-plan living spaces

  • Hospitality settings such as cafés and bars


The integrated LED provides a soft, even glow, reducing glare while still delivering effective task lighting. This makes the range as functional as it is visually striking.


Available in natural veneer finishes including Satin Birch, Wenge, and Bamboo, the collection can be tailored to suit a variety of interior palettes — from light and coastal to darker, more refined spaces.




A STORY OF NEW ZEALAND DESIGN

Formation Lights is a New Zealand brand built on a deep connection to both craft and environment.


Founder Ryan began his journey during his design studies in Dunedin, where an early prototype quickly gained attention. Within a year, his work had moved from exhibition to retail — a reflection of both the design quality and the demand for locally inspired products.


Today, Formation Lights continues to create bespoke, eco-conscious lighting, combining sustainable materials with modern manufacturing techniques. Each piece reflects a commitment to thoughtful design, where form and function are considered equally.




At ATL Designer Lighting, we’re always looking for products that go beyond the expected — pieces that bring both design integrity and practical performance.


Formation Lights stood out for exactly that reason.


The Raglan Collection offers something unique:

  • A strong New Zealand design story

  • Sculptural forms that elevate everyday spaces

  • Functional lighting that performs where it matters

It’s a range that feels considered, authentic, and built to last beyond trends.


The Raglan Collection is more than a series of light fittings — it’s a reflection of place, translated into design.

By capturing the movement, texture, and character of the West Coast, Formation Lights has created a collection that brings a sense of calm and connection into modern interiors.


Raglan Collection LED bar lights by Formation Lights, including Wave, Blocks, Mt Karioi, and Sand Bar designs in natural timber finishes.

For those looking to incorporate lighting that feels both purposeful and expressive, this is a range worth exploring.


Explore the Raglan Collection or talk to our team about specifying Formation Lights for your next project.



Wave 1 Pendant — sculpted timber lighting with diffused LED. Curved timber pendant light with integrated LED illumination


From his studio in Nelson, New Zealand, furniture maker Peter Cowper creates bespoke lighting and furniture that celebrate the natural beauty, integrity, and expressive potential of wood.


His work is grounded in craftsmanship, longevity, and thoughtful design — values that sit at the heart of the Curl Lighting Collection.



Each piece in the Curl Collection is individually handcrafted from carefully selected timber species, some chosen specifically for their unique history and character. The result is lighting that feels alive — introducing subtle movement, warmth, and texture into interior spaces.


Sculptural yet functional, the Curl Collection explores how light interacts with curved timber forms. Soft, diffused LED illumination enhances the natural grain of the wood while creating gentle shadow play that shifts with perspective and placement.




Curved timber pendant light with integrated LED illumination over a kitchen setting

Wave 1 Pendant

The Wave 1 pendant is the most iconic piece in the collection. Sculpted as a single flowing vane, it features diffused, dimmable LED lighting on both the upper and lower surfaces.


Its elegant curvature makes it ideal for suspension over kitchen benches, dining tables, and furniture — offering balanced illumination for a wide range of applications.







Sculptural pendant light made from overlapping wooden elements

Undulation Pendant

Inspired by the natural rhythm of ripples in a stream, the Undulation pendant introduces a layered sculptural presence.


Formed from five overlapping timber vanes, it incorporates three diffused LED strips beneath, creating both functional light and visual depth. The result is a pendant that feels dynamic, artistic, and architectural.







Handcrafted timber floor lamp casting warm, diffused light

Curl Floor Lamp

The Curl Floor Lamp brings the collection’s sculptural language into a vertical form. Its organic silhouette and warm glow produce a beautiful interplay of light and shadow, changing subtly when viewed from different angles.


Both functional and expressive, it sits comfortably across residential and commercial interiors.










The Curl Lighting Collection reflects Peter Cowper’s commitment to craftsmanship, material honesty, and timeless design. Each piece is made to be lived with — lighting that not only illuminates a space but becomes part of its story.



Explore the Curl Lighting Collection at https://www.bespokebydesign.nz/

Luna sculptural bamboo floor lamp photographed outdoors beside a calm lake with mountains in the background

Inspired by the quiet beauty of natural forms, the Luna Range by Form 53 brings sculptural elegance and atmospheric light into contemporary interiors. Handcrafted in New Zealand from sustainably grown bamboo, each piece reflects designer Gus Leen’s commitment to symmetry, rhythm, and balance — the guiding principles behind his work and the essence of the Form 53 brand.

By day, Luna stands as a refined sculptural object. Its flowing curves and warm natural materiality make it a striking presence in any space, from living areas to boutique commercial environments. At night, Luna transforms. Illuminated from within by a discreet Halycon LED light source, the bamboo structure diffuses a gentle, ambient glow. A pattern of soft, nature-inspired shadows radiates outward, creating a sense of calm and intimacy.



The design behind Luna began with Gus’s long-held interest in wide-base floor lighting. After exploring numerous prototypes, he found inspiration in one of nature’s simplest, most elegant shapes — a falling water droplet. This subtle influence is visible in Luna’s tapered silhouette and its precisely crafted, 24-piece array of curved bamboo uprights. Each component plays a role not only in shaping the form but also in producing the layered shadows for which Luna is known.


Craftsmanship sits at the heart of the collection. Every Luna piece is made by hand, with careful attention to detail and material integrity. The bamboo plywood is selected for its strength, sustainability, and naturally expressive end grain, particularly beautiful in the natural finish. Form 53’s custom stainless steel mounting system ensures the LED remains hidden from view, allowing the purity of the silhouette to remain uninterrupted.



The Luna Range includes three distinct formats, each carrying the same sculptural language while offering flexibility for different interior settings.


Floor lamp crafted from bamboo plywood with curved vertical uprights casting soft shadows.
Luna Floor Lamp – inspired by the form of a water droplet

Luna Floor Lamp

The original statement piece, ideal as a feature in open-plan living, lobbies, and architectural spaces. Its scale and silhouette create strong visual impact, balanced by a warm and ambient glow.



Small sculptural table lamp projecting soft, organic shadows.
Luna Table Lamp – ambient lighting for intimate spaces

Luna Table Lamp

A scaled-down version suited to more intimate environments. Perfect for bedside tables, reading corners, or sideboards, it brings warmth and atmosphere to personal spaces.



Pendant light made from bamboo curves, casting shadows across ceiling and walls.
Luna Pendant – nature-inspired overhead illumination

Luna Pendant Light

Suspended overhead, the pendant edition introduces Luna’s shadow play to ceilings and surrounding surfaces. Fully dimmable, it transitions easily between functional lighting and mood illumination.





As a former ECC Lighting Awards finalist and a designer embraced by New Zealand’s interior community, Gus continues to work across both collection pieces and bespoke commissions. His approach remains hands-on, material-driven, and deeply rooted in craftsmanship.


The Luna Range is a celebration of natural inspiration translated through thoughtful design. With its sculptural presence, warm bamboo tones, and atmospheric lighting effects, Luna offers a unique way to bring depth, softness, and organic rhythm into modern interiors.


Explore the Luna Range at ATL Designer Lighting.

Want to see how lighting transforms real spaces?

Explore our catalogue for more inspiration or get in touch to start your lighting design journey.

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