Case study: Northern Lights illuminate the Chateau Denmark narrative

Northern Lights, shortlisted for The Brit List Awards Best in British Product Design, continue to develop impressive and often complex lighting installations for high-profile projects and luxury brands, and the collaboration with Taylor Howes on the Chateau Denmark project is a case in point. The in-house team of designers and master artisans in the Northern Lights studio work with a variety of luxury raw materials, with decades of experience in metal fabrication, glass techniques and custom finishes. All of which have been expertly utilised to create unique lighting pieces for the project, designed to cut through the darkness and highlight some of the unconventional and striking interior elements on show.

Through distinct narratives, Taylor Howes’ unique design intent is best described as a symbolic journey through Denmark Street’s prolific rock ‘n’ roll days. Vintage Gothic captures a particular charm and presents dramatic intrigue, while Timeless Grandeur offers an opulent and indulgent Victorian-era aesthetic. Modern Psychedelia brings 60s and 70s London to life through texture, finishes and striking palettes.

“It was important for us to truly understand the vision and narrative threads behind the expressive concepts. Our aim was to craft lighting solutions from scratch that would not only create the right ambience and illumination, but that would also form an integral part of the storytelling,” said Kevin Swart, Sales Director, Northern Lights. “Lighting is such a crucial part of the overall design picture; it has the power to really immerse guests in the design by adding to the sensory experience. We see each project we undertake as journey of collaboration, design, craftsmanship and adventure, and Chateau Denmark was certainly no exception. It was fantastic working with the team at Taylor Howes to bring this unique vision to life through bespoke lighting solutions.”

To realise the vision for the unique destination, Northern Lights worked to conceptualise a collection of bespoke industrial and decorative lighting to complement and elevate the different design narratives. The design team and master artisans were involved at every stage to advise on materials, techniques and processes required to meet the goals of the brief. Once the various solutions and designs presented to the team were approved, technical drawings were created with detailed information for each process required for the manufacturing stage.

The Townhouse Apartments incorporate show-stopping Victorian-inspired baths to complement the immersive cherry-red backdrop of the interior, all haloed by light brass & glass shard industrial pendants. Toughened glass ‘shard’ panels were delicately infused with a smoke colouration, designed to softly diffuse the light to retain the dark, evocative atmosphere. Laser-cut ‘meat hooks’ were consciously used to secure the brass chain links draped between the pendants.

Image credit: Chateau Denmark / Michael Franke

Located either side of the beds in the Superior Session Rooms are industrial blackened steel pipework wall lights, each fitted with decorative stop taps for true authenticity. An exposed filament bulb provides a bright aura that shines warmly against the dark walnut panelling.

Detailed Victorian-inspired wall sconces illuminate either side of the elaborate Willis & Gambier four-poster beds in the Flitcroft Apartments, highlighting the intricate hand carvings and the dark wood panelling on the walls behind. Evoking an industrial aesthetic through skilful ageing of the metal, the old English brass finish works to highlight every intricacy of the hand-modelled wing-shaped casting. The winged fixture is held in place by a cast brass wall plate, chosen for its ability to blend beautifully with the dark walnut panelling behind.

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Main image credit: Chateau Denmark / Michael Franke