Design · London
Reading time: 6 minThere is something inherently magical about light. Beyond its practical purpose, lighting has the ability to transform the way we experience a space — shaping atmosphere, creating emotion and influencing how we interact with our surroundings.
For British designer Lee Broom, lighting has always existed somewhere between function and sculpture. His collections are not simply designed to illuminate interiors; they are created to become part of them, bringing character, drama and a sense of theatre into the spaces they inhabit.
With his latest collection, Alchemist, Broom explores the ancient art of transformation — taking inspiration from the mystical practice of alchemy, where base metals were believed to be transformed into precious materials. But this collection goes beyond the physical process of craftsmanship. It explores the deeper symbolism of alchemy: discovery, imagination and the search for something extraordinary within the everyday.
Inspired by themes of astrology, mythology, folklore and the spiritual journey explored in Paul Coelho’s celebrated novel The Alchemist, the collection reflects Broom’s fascination with storytelling through design.
The result is a collection of lighting pieces that feel timeless yet distinctly contemporary — objects that combine traditional craftsmanship with a modern understanding of form, material and emotion.
Lee Broom: A British Designer Transforming the Language of Lighting
Over the past two decades, Lee Broom has become one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary designers, recognised for his ability to challenge expectations and reinterpret familiar objects through a distinctive creative lens.
Since establishing his studio in London, Broom has developed a signature approach that blends references from architecture, fashion, theatre and historical design movements. His work often takes recognisable forms and gives them a new identity, creating pieces that feel both familiar and unexpected.
From furniture and accessories to some of the world’s most recognisable contemporary lighting collections, Broom’s designs are united by a commitment to craftsmanship and a fascination with the relationship between object and environment.
The Alchemist collection continues this exploration, bringing together traditional materials and processes with a sense of mystery and discovery.
Each piece is designed and handcrafted at Lee Broom’s London factory, where skilled makers combine traditional techniques with contemporary production methods. This attention to detail is central to Broom’s work, ensuring that every piece carries a sense of individuality and craftsmanship.
“Through Alchemist, Lee Broom transforms lighting from a functional object into something more mysterious — a meeting point between craftsmanship, mythology and the magic of everyday life.”
The Art of Alchemy: Turning Materials Into Meaning
The concept of alchemy has fascinated artists, writers and philosophers for centuries. Traditionally associated with the transformation of ordinary metals into gold, alchemy also represented a deeper search for knowledge, enlightenment and personal transformation.
This dual meaning became the foundation for Lee Broom’s Alchemist collection.
Rather than simply referencing the physical process of turning one material into another, Broom explores the emotional and symbolic qualities of transformation. Brass, glass, leather and light are combined to create objects that feel elevated beyond their individual components.
The collection celebrates the idea that design has the power to transform our perception of everyday objects.
A pendant light becomes a sculptural artwork. A chandelier becomes a centrepiece. A source of illumination becomes an object with its own narrative.
This approach reflects a wider movement within contemporary interiors, where collectors and designers increasingly seek pieces that carry meaning, craftsmanship and individuality.
Luxury today is no longer defined purely by rarity or expense. It is defined by authenticity — by understanding the story behind an object and appreciating the creative process that brought it to life.
Mythos: The Beauty of Ancient Stories Reimagined
The Mythos collection forms one of the most distinctive chapters within Alchemist, drawing inspiration from ancient mythology and the jewellery traditions of the past.
The design centres around a luminous glass orb supported by sculptural brass links, creating a striking balance between strength and delicacy. Available as a single pendant or a larger duo configuration, Mythos appears almost weightless, with hidden connections allowing the illuminated sphere to take centre stage.
The design references the Greek myth of Prometheus, the figure who gifted fire to humanity, as well as the intricate craftsmanship found within ancient jewellery.
This connection between light and mythology feels particularly appropriate. Throughout history, light has represented knowledge, creativity and discovery — making it one of humanity’s most powerful symbols.
The Mythos pendant captures this idea beautifully, combining a sense of ancient storytelling with contemporary minimalism.
Available in satin brass and a new blackened brass finish, the piece demonstrates Broom’s ability to take traditional materials and present them in a fresh, modern way.
Gemini: A Dialogue Between Opposites
Inspired by the astrological sign of Gemini and the tools found within traditional alchemical workshops, Gemini explores balance through contrast.
The design features two opposing forms that come together to create a harmonious composition. Its linear structure references the precision of modernist design, while the concealed construction and refined brass finish reveal Broom’s meticulous attention to detail.
The illuminated capsule appears almost suspended within the structure, creating a sense of movement and elegance.
Drawing inspiration from Art Deco and modernist influences, Gemini demonstrates the designer’s ability to merge historical references with contemporary aesthetics.
The collection can also be arranged in multiples, allowing designers and architects to create customised lighting installations that respond to different interiors.
Whether used within a private residence, luxury hospitality setting or commercial environment, Gemini becomes more than a light source — it becomes an architectural element.
Solstice: Capturing the Energy of the Sun
The Solstice collection looks towards ancient landscapes and celestial rituals for inspiration, particularly the relationship between light, time and nature.
Referencing the ancient monument of Stonehenge and its connection to the summer and winter solstices, the design explores humanity’s historic relationship with the movement of the sun.
A glowing opaque glass globe represents the sun, enclosed within a geometric brass structure inspired by the monumental forms of standing stones.
The result is a piece that feels simultaneously ancient and futuristic.
Solstice reflects Broom’s ability to create objects that carry multiple layers of meaning. At first glance, it is an elegant contemporary pendant. Look closer, and it becomes a meditation on time, ritual and the natural world.
Available as a standalone pendant or grouped into dramatic arrangements, Solstice allows designers to create sculptural compositions of light.
King: The Crown Jewel of the Alchemist Collection
At the heart of the collection is King — a dramatic chandelier that sits somewhere between lighting design and sculpture.
Inspired by the King of Salem from The Alchemist and the legendary imagery surrounding King Arthur, the piece takes the form of a contemporary crown.
Handcrafted metal leaves are individually shaped, folded and brushed before being arranged into layered tiers. Each ring conceals a subtle illumination, creating a warm glow that radiates through the structure.
When switched off, King appears as a sculptural object with a powerful architectural presence. When illuminated, it transforms completely, revealing the relationship between shadow, reflection and light.
Available in two sizes, including an impressive Extra Large version measuring 1.2 metres in diameter, King was created to become the focal point of a space.
Whether positioned within a luxury residence, boutique hotel or dramatic entrance hall, it demonstrates the theatrical quality that has become synonymous with Lee Broom’s work.
The Future of Luxury Lighting Design
The Alchemist collection represents everything that makes Lee Broom’s work so compelling: a respect for craftsmanship, a fascination with history and an ability to transform everyday materials into extraordinary objects.
In a world where interiors are increasingly focused on personal expression, statement lighting has become an essential part of creating memorable spaces.
Lighting no longer exists simply as a practical necessity. It shapes atmosphere, creates emotion and contributes to the identity of a room.
Through Alchemist, Lee Broom reminds us that design can still hold a sense of wonder. It can reference ancient traditions while looking firmly towards the future. It can be functional yet artistic, minimal yet dramatic.
Ultimately, the collection is about transformation — not only transforming materials into beautiful objects, but transforming the way we experience the spaces around us.
Because the most powerful designs are not simply seen. They are experienced.
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