Wood is not the most transparent of materials to use for lamp shades but when steam bent and twisted with lots of space in-between for the light to get through, the wood light pendants by Tom Raffield will light up any room they are used in. This one is called The Giant Flock as though it were a flock of birds – cool.

The Giant Butterfly wood light pendant is a mass of steam bent wood curls that look like they are ready to spring apart, but luckily, they won’t. Inspired by the flight of a butterfly, the Giant Butterfly, like all the designs, is made by hand.

Slightly less chaotic, Butterfly has a more geometric structure to it then the Giant Butterfly and both create the coolest shadows when turned on. This is Tom Raffield’s most popular design. Butterfly is also available as a floor lamp.

One of my favourites, Spinnaker has a more minimalist profile, if you can call steam bent wood light pendants minimalist. Spinnaker is made with four wide slithers of sustainably sourced oak.

Cage is made with a looping ash contained within a fine dowel cage and takes on the traditional drum shape for those who find the steam bent wood a bit too contemporary for their homes. Cage also comes as a floor lamp and a wall sconce.

Scots is layered like a pine cone and while it doesn’t put out as much light as Tom Raffield’s other lighting designs, it creates a beautiful organic mood whether highlighting one spot when on in the evening, or demanding the attention of a whole room during the day.

Scots, as with all the steam bent wood light pendants is made by hand from sustainably sourced oak, walnut or ash and finished with an eco-friendly, non-toxic clear coat. Scots is also designed as a wall sconce.

Inspired by the Cornish coastline surrounding Tom Raffield’s studio, the timber petals of the Cape pendant light has its muse in the wake of a wave. Cape is also available as a wall sconce.

Urchin is also inspired by the coastline, only this time by the Sea Urchin Echinus Esculetis and in this design, the steam bent wood completely covers the light bulb. Urchin also is available as a wall sconce.

No. 1 Pendant Giant XL is large at 80cm in diameter and the steam bent wood makes a dramatic statement whether the light switch is on or off. It is also available as a table lamp.

Tom Raffield

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