Header: Julian Abrams
“In Dew” is an award-winning chandelier designed by Nulty Bespoke for Laura Hammett that now adorns a duplex penthouse in the Bahamas. The pair, which won the LIT Awards, are unique to the client, with one sitting above the dining table, while the other drops through the spiral floating staircase, a sculptural centrepiece within the home. Nulty describes the design as coastal, with subtle references to a London feel and the Bahamas, a mix seen throughout the interior design.
Glass globes in blue
The design is inspired by the forms seen in nature, with the studio having adopted the art of glass blowing to reach them. Each chandelier is made from double-blown glass globes in clear and ocean-blue colours, which are then suspended at different heights to form a cloud-like shape. During the day, the glass looks like a simple group of hanging forms, but when lit, especially at night, the composition changes and the blue colour becomes more prominent.
The glass is made and shaped in the UK, and due to the process used, each piece looks unique. Variation is expected and celebrated and is not limited to surface finish or minor handiwork. Each pendant differs in shape, size and colour, so the installation depends on controlling that irregularity. As Nulty puts it, it is a “handcrafted double-blown glass collection of sculptural luminaire forms“.
The pair of blue chandeliers
The chandelier above the dining table is the more compact of the two. Gathered into a denser cluster, it centres the table below and acts as the space’s own centrepiece. Unlike the staircase piece, which stretches through the height of the duplex and has to complement the enormous sculptural element, this one is smaller and gets the attention all to itself.
The staircase chandelier is wider and more elongated than the one above the dining table, and that is because of its location in the house. Rather than being contained in a single room, it drops through the spiral stair void and uses the full height of the duplex.
The technical details
Each glass element contains a concealed LED module which was thoughtfully hidden behind a sand-blasted diffuser, which is, in turn, inside a custom-spun case in polished satin nickel. These fixtures are dimmable and give off a warm light. The supporting hardware includes a brushed nickel cone housing and a 7 mm fabric-sheathed pearl-silver suspension and power cable. Furthermore, parts of the mounting assembly are coated in RAL 9003 matte white powder, so the support can become imperceptible against the ceiling.
The challenges of the craft
Free-form blown glass introduces variation from piece to piece, as we’ve seen, but this introduces some practical challenges. The double-blown method gives the makers room to manipulate molten glass into more intricate forms, but it also requires the lighting components, support and suspension system to be specific for each individual globe, as none are ever identical.
The piece of a lifetime
The sustainability approach was focused on ensuring the longevity of the chandeliers. “In Dew” is made as a permanent piece, using durable materials and integrated components intended for long-term use. Its character comes from the making process itself, not from finishes or replaceable pieces.
Project Information
Prize: Winners in Artisan Glass Blown Lighting at the LIT Awards
Lighting Design Company: Nulty Bespoke
Lead Designer: Alex Craig
Other Designer’s names: Tan Ngo
Client: Laura Hammett
Photo Credits: Julian Abrams
Completion Date: 2025
Project Location: The Bahamas
