Why I Handcraft Wooden Lamps That Are Personal, Practical and Built to Last
I never set out to make lamps. I began by making green wood furniture because I enjoyed the process. The rhythm of it. The way you have to listen to the wood. You can’t rush green wood. It has its own pace. Try to force it and you’ll lose. Over time, as I shaped chairs and tables, I became more drawn to the idea of light. Not just in a functional sense but in how it transforms a space. How it brings warmth and presence. How it can make a room feel like home. So, I began making wooden lamps.
Not in bulk. Not in batches. Just a few at a time. Carefully. With intention. And people began to ask for them. Not because they were flashy or ornate but because they felt different. You could tell they were made with care. Because they were.
The spark that pushed me toward lampmaking came unexpectedly. One day I saw a chair by Donald Judd. Basic. Boxy. At first, I couldn’t understand it. But I kept thinking about it. It stuck with me. It made me realise I’d been feeling the same way about lamps. So many of them were intricate, fussy, overdesigned. Everything seemed heavily Italian-influenced or decorative. I didn’t want that.
I wanted something simpler. Quiet, honest and strong. Judd’s work helped me see that simplicity could carry weight. That a chair or a lamp didn’t need to be complex to have presence. I bought his book and let the idea settle. That was the turning point. I started making lamps that felt grounded and minimal. No ornamentation. Just clean lines and well-chosen, sustainable materials.
A Different Kind of Process
I work from a small workshop near the coast in South Devon with a small team of skilled makers. We use traditional hand tools, green wood and simple low-energy methods. Our process isn’t fast and that’s the point. We work with the wood, not against it. Sometimes that means adjusting our expectations in response to the wood. Sometimes it means starting over. But the result is something individual. Something that feels alive.
My process for lamps is different. I don’t draw or sketch. I have a collection of stems already worked and ready. Each one has its own lean, posture and grain. When someone reaches out, I look through them and find the one that feels right for their space.
That’s why I ask for photos. I want to see where the lamp will live. How subtle should it be? Should it lean left or right? Does it need to sit quietly or have presence? These questions help me match the right piece with the right home.
Made to Be Used
The word handcrafted often makes people think of something delicate or decorative. My work isn’t like that. I don’t add ornament or fuss. A lamp should be simple, solid and made to last. It should feel stable, be weighted properly and use materials that age well.
That’s why I pay close attention to proportion and joinery. I use hardwoods that develop character over time and finishes that protect without hiding the grain. These are not mass-produced shapes. Each lamp is slightly different because each piece of wood is different. I might use chestnut one day, cherry the next. Some pieces are quiet, others wild. I respond to what the wood offers.
Lamps That Fit Real Spaces
People who ask me for a custom lamp are looking for a statement piece. They want something that works with their space. Something that suits the way they live. Maybe it’s an awkward corner. Maybe it’s a reading chair that needs the right kind of light.
So, I ask the real questions. How subtle do you want the lamp to be? What kind of angle feels right? I match the lamp to the room, not the other way around. That’s what makes this work worth doing. It’s not just about the object. It’s about how it fits into someone’s everyday life.
I don’t use the word bespoke lightly. At Peter Lanyon Furniture, bespoke means made to order. For you. It might mean a specific type of wood or a certain size. It might mean creating a lamp that works alongside a table I’ve already made for you. Or echoing the curve of a chair you love.
Whatever it is, I make it with attention to detail and a commitment to craft. Not just furniture. Not just lighting. But something with a story.
Rooted in Place
Working in South Devon shapes everything I make. The landscape here has its own rhythm. Its own pace. I try to bring that same grounded feeling into each piece. I think people sense that when they hold one of my lamps. It feels calm. Settled. Real.
I also run woodworking courses in the workshop. One of the best parts is watching someone realise how satisfying it is to make something from scratch. To feel the wood respond. To see their hands shape something useful and beautiful. That’s what keeps me going too. That quiet moment when a piece comes together and you know it will last.
Get in Touch
If you’re looking for a lamp that is personal, practical and built to last. Something made from real materials by real hands. Something shaped with care and experience. Then I’d like to hear from you.
Whether you have a clear idea or just a space that needs the right kind of light, I can help you find a lamp that feels right for your home. If you value craft over trends and want something with presence, warmth and longevity, let’s talk.
