I was briefed to design a light in which terracotta was the only visible material, and I was naturally drawn to investigate wall lights. The design is quiet and unfussy – a celebration of pure geometry that can be seen equally as a wall sculpture and a functional guiding light.
I was influenced by the classic terracotta roof tile. The lighting components are all hidden away behind the shell, allowing the terracotta to be the true hero. The quality of the light was a big driver of the design and the form enables the light to spill out of the edges of the form evenly, creating a warm glow that is accentuated by the deep colour of the terracotta.
Terracotta is stoic, trustworthy, ancient and full of depth. Even new terracotta pieces feel as though they’ve existed before or have a story to tell. I wanted to play into that gravitas while giving the piece a contemporary feel.
Hopefully people appreciate the quiet confidence of this piece, and that it adds warmth and character to the spaces it occupies.
Kate Stokes is a Melbourne-based furniture and lighting designer who works closely with local craftspeople and manufacturers to create playful products with depth of character. Kate established her brand Coco Flip in 2010 and has since developed a considered range that is produced in Melbourne, and she also designs pieces for other brands. An advocate of slow design, Kate places a high value on time, community and quality. Through Coco Flip, she aims to create distinctive furniture and lighting for people who celebrate the good things in life.