When two creatives meet at the intersection of art and light, something quietly magical happens.
In this collaboration between Laura Jekyll (LJ) and Chloe Jonason (CJ), paint meets fabric, memory meets material, and light becomes something more than illumination. It becomes a story, atmosphere, and soul.
This is a conversation about light, craft, and connection.
THE WHY
Tell us about your favourite light and the story behind it.
LJ:
“My favourite light is a table lamp I inherited from my grandmother. It’s a traditional piece that now sits comfortably in our more contemporary home. Every time I switch it on, I feel connected to her. It carries memory as well as function, and remains one of the most beautiful things I own.”
CJ:
“My favourite lamp is one I made myself. A sari lamp for my home. When I light it, it gives off this warm, glowy light that feels so cosy. I remember where I sourced the fabric, the details in the pattern, and the unique trim I added. It reminds me of when I first learned to make sari lamps, how far I’ve come, and how this small piece of light reflects our whole creative journey.”
What does light mean in your home?
LJ:
“For me, light means warmth and cosiness. It’s autumn, the nights draw in, the fire is lit, the big light goes off, and the lamps go on. That’s when we settle into the evening as a family.”
CJ:
“Light creates atmosphere. I’m all about low-level lighting…lamps, lamps, and more lamps. There’s something about that gentle glow that softens a space and makes it feel lived in. We barely use any other kind of lighting at home.”
A good lamp can...
LJ:
“A good lamp can really bring a space together. It’s a small thing, but you can be playful with it. The colour, the shape, the pattern and it still has a big impact.”
CJ:
“Great lighting shifts the whole mood of a room. It personalises a home. For me, it starts with the fabric and the lining. The material that shapes how the light glows through.”
Why do handmade pieces like these matter today?
LJ:
“Handmade pieces matter because they keep craft alive. Each one carries a sense of timelessness and care rooted in tradition, made personal, and full of character.”
CJ:
“Handmade pieces carry a story. When I work with vintage saris, I’m reimagining fabrics that have already lived another life, giving them a new chapter in someone’s home. There’s thoughtfulness in that and sustainability, too. It’s about making something beautiful and useful from what already exists, with care and intention.”
What do you hope these lamps make people feel?
LJ:
“I want these lamps to bring soul into people’s homes. Something that feels as emotional as it is functional. A light that feels alive.”
CJ:
“I hope people feel the love and care that’s gone into each lamp. That it’s not just another object, but a treasure. Something to be enjoyed now, and maybe even handed down later. Just like Laura’s grandmother’s lamp.”
THE HOW
How did this collaboration come about?
LJ:
“We’d admired each other’s work for a while, and light just felt like the natural meeting point. Normally I work alone in the studio, but here I was responding to Chloe’s fabrics. Grounding her vibrant patterns with painted bases, so the two became one.”
CJ:
“We’d been talking about the crossover between textiles and painted surfaces. I brought the fabrics; their colour, history, and texture. And Laura brought a painter’s eye and the kind of bespoke detail that only comes from something hand-painted. Together, the lamps became something neither of us could have made alone.”
How did you approach your part of the collaboration?
LJ:
“The starting point was always the sari fabric. Chloe found textiles that were warm and characterful, but also gentle enough to harmonise with painted bases. Once we found our sari, everything else flowed. I worked with a woodturner in Lincolnshire to design a base that felt elegant and architectural. Something that would complement the shade, not compete with it.”
CJ:
“I chose fabrics with character but restraint. The kind that would glow softly when lit. I used a natural linen for the shade to enhance the sari fabric’s warmth. Each piece was hand-cut, sewn, and finished with thoughtful trims. Laura and I exchanged ideas for months, refining the palette and design details until everything; from fabric, to paint and form, worked together in perfect harmony.”
THE WHAT
What excites you most about bringing your craft together with someone else’s?
LJ:
“It’s seeing the piece through someone else’s eyes. Chloe’s approach to fabric makes me look at colour and form differently — it pushes me creatively. That’s what collaboration is about: being moved by another perspective.”
CJ:
“Seeing my textiles paired with a painted base makes them feel renewed. The fabric carries its own story, and Laura’s painting adds another layer — together, they become something richer than either could be alone.”
Describe the collection in three words.
LJ:
“Refined. Storied. Crafted.”
CJ:
“Gentle. Sculptural. Timeless.”
A Shared Light
What began as a simple admiration between two makers became something more…a dialogue in colour, craft and light. These lamps don’t just illuminate rooms; they hold history, touch and care.
In a world of mass production, the LJ × CJ collaboration reminds us that the most beautiful pieces are often the ones made slowly, thoughtfully, and together.
A celebration of craft, collaboration, and the quiet poetry of light.
