Emer Gillespie launched the Spark & Bell back in 2015, driven by a desire to bring distinctive, sustainable lighting within reach, and rooted, always, in thoughtful design and local craftsmanship.

With a background in fine art, photography and teaching, she blended creative spirit with practicality to shape a company where each piece is made-to-order, repairable and ethically sourced. Under her stewardship, Spark & Bell has blossomed into an award-winning B Corp lighting studio, known as much for its authenticity and care as for its elegant, timeless designs. 

Emer provides insight into the various types of lighting and how to use them to maximise impact within interior design schemes.

Table Lamps

Table lamps bring warmth, character, and a touch of personality to any corner of the home. Whether perched beside the bed, on a desk, or lighting up a reading nook, they create pools of gentle, inviting light that make a space feel instantly more lived in. Beyond their practicality, they're a chance to play with shape, texture, and tone, adding a layer of design that complements your décor.

When choosing a table lamp, think about proportion (it should feel balanced with your furniture), the quality of the light, and how the shade diffuses it. Dimmable or adjustable designs offer flexibility, while an energy-saving bulb keeps things bright and efficient. The best lamps not only illuminate but also add warmth and personality, small details that make a space feel thoughtfully finished.

Wall Lights

Wall lights are the understated heroes of layered lighting, both beautiful and functional, they draw the eye and set the mood. Perfect for hallways, bedrooms, or framing a mirror, they offer soft, directional light that enhances atmosphere without overwhelming a space.

When choosing one, consider its purpose; ambient glow, reading light, or statement accent, as this will shape the tone and spread of illumination. The finish should work in harmony with your existing fixtures, while scale and placement are key to getting the balance right.

Hardwired fittings create a seamless look, but plug-in options offer flexibility if you like to switch things up. Subtle yet impactful, a well-chosen wall light brings depth, warmth, and a sense of calm to any interior.

Chandelier or Pendant Light?

The key difference between a chandelier and a pendant light comes down to form and feel. A chandelier is all about impact, a statement piece with multiple arms or bulbs that cast a generous, warm glow across a room.

It's perfect for creating atmosphere in spaces where you want to make an impression, like an entranceway or dining room. A pendant light, on the other hand, offers a more refined simplicity. Usually featuring a single shade or bulb, pendants bring focused light and subtle style to a space, ideal over kitchen islands, bedside tables, or in cosy corners. While chandeliers command attention, pendants bring character and balance, allowing you to layer light and shape the mood of your home with ease.

Appealing Ceilings

In a home styled with thought and personality, a ceiling light becomes the unsung hero, quietly elevating a space while staying out of the way. In living rooms, hallways and entryways, they serve as a reliable source of general illumination, filling the space with a soft, ambient glow that ensures you're not left in shadowy corners.

Because a ceiling fixture sits high and central, it casts light evenly and is less likely to clash with furniture or décor, making it a practical, fuss-free choice. What makes them especially popular is their ability to act as a clean base layer of light: from there, you can bring in additional sources (like table lamps or wall lights) to layer and sculpt the mood. When choosing one, think about the size of your room and ceiling height (you want enough clearance and proportion), the direction and spread of the light (does it diffuse softly or spotlight?), plus the style and finish, make sure it harmonises with your room's palette. Also, check the bulb type and whether you can install a dimmer to tweak the mood. In short, ceiling lights are the backbone of your lighting scheme in living rooms and hallways, reliable, elegant, and flexible.

2026 Lighting Trend Predictions

As we turn the corner into 2026, expect lighting design to become even more intimate, sustainable and expressive. Soft, warm LED sources that mimic natural light will dominate, while layered lighting, mixing ceiling, wall and accent lights, will shift from a nice-to-have to an expected norm.

We'll see more modular and customisable systems, offering flexibility in shape, size and material so lights can adapt as life changes. Textural materials will also gain ground: recycled plastics, cork, and matte ceramics will rise in popularity, adding tactility and depth to illumination.

As Emer Gillespie puts it: “I'm driven by lights that feel considered, repairable and personal, not throwaway trends”. With that ethos at the core, 2026 lighting will celebrate longevity, warmth and personality over flash.

Emer and the Spark & Bell team are happy to invite journalists to the studio in Brighton to experience its recycled plastic processes, as well as to conduct exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes features.

ABOUT SPARK & BELL

Brighton-based studio Spark & Bell is pioneering a new era of sustainable lighting. Its contemporary design pieces combine community-focused craftsmanship with quality and responsible materials.

Established in Brighton in 2015, Spark & Bell is a custom handmade lighting business committed to bringing high-quality, bespoke lighting directly to consumers and interior designers. Founded by Emer Gillespie, a former fine arts photographer and lecturer, the company was started out of personal desire for original lighting options and a simple yet ambitious vision: to combine exceptional local craftsmanship and ethical practices into a sustainable family-run business.