Sharing a passion for hand-building, drawing, and modeling forms, Jean and Oliver Pelle established their design studio with a strong commitment to developing a unique design voice. Since launching PELLE, their Brooklyn-based studio, in 2011, they have carved out a distinctive place in the lighting design industry.
PELLE’s design philosophy blends artistic exploration with architectural principles. Oliver is captivated by the order and complexity of geometric forms combined with abstract expressionism. Meanwhile Jean draws inspiration from a wide range of artistic and cultural sources, as well as observations made in the natural world.
Although the independent studio focuses on both lighting and furniture, Jean and Oliver highlight three standout lighting collections—each with numerous variations—that have emerged from PELLE since its inception: Bubble Chandeliers, Lure, and Nana Lure.
PELLE’s Bubble Chandelier Lighting Collection
Jean’s initial design of the Bubble Chandelier was created as a DIY project for ReadyMade Magazine in 2008. Using basic materials from hardware and decor stores, the project quickly captured attention, leading to a surge of requests for Jean’s Bubble Chandeliers. This original design set the foundation for PELLE’s Bubble Chandelier collection. It has since evolved into a diverse range of sizes, shapes, and special editions.
What are the most popular lighting fixtures in this collection?
PELLE describes the Bubble Chandelier collection as timeless and meticulously crafted, presenting its variations as the quintessential modern-day chandelier—radiating a sparkling, airy, and lightweight presence in any room. Among the 12 variations, PELLE highlights these as the most popular lighting fixtures:
Supra Bubble Chandelier: Introduced in 2016, this fixture features glozes arranged in a circular half-dome cluster with a 38-inch diameter.
Long Bubble Chandelier: A favorite for dining rooms since its 2013 design, this fixture is available in four lengths: 48, 62, 80, and 96 inches.
Wreath Bubble Chandelier: This 2015 iteration of the original design comes in three diameters—48, 60, and 76 inches—making it a versatile option for various room sizes.
What is the hidden gem of the Bubble Chandelier collection?
PELLE regards the hand-painted versions, like the Strokes Long 80 Bubble Chandelier, as the collection’s hidden gems. They combine the beauty of a painting with the functionality of a light fixture.
PELLE’s Lure Lighting Collection
In a pursuit to show delicacy and texture in a lighting fixture, the Lure collection started with an idea of illuminating a white flower to capture its beauty and form. After researching various material techniques, Jean and Oliver decided to cast paper in their studio, creating three-dimensional paper from the short fibers of cotton plant bolls—a by-product of the garment industry. Recognized as the studio’s premier collection for its distinctiveness in the market, PELLE introduced the Lure lighting at the 2016 International Contemporary Furniture Fair in NYC.
What’s the most popular fixture in this lighting collection?
Every lighting fixture in PELLE’s Lure collection is customizable. However, the studio frequently designs 4- to 7-foot versions of the Lure Chandelier, as they complement larger dining room tables exceptionally well.
What is the hidden gem of the Lure collection?
The Lure Sconce is the hidden gem of this lighting collection from PELLE. As the original design, it epitomizes the collection with its single white flower cast in cotton, illuminated by a suspended LED light.
Nana Lure Lighting Collection from PELLE
Once Jean and Oliver perfected their cast-cotton paper technique for the Lure lighting fixtures, they naturally progressed to larger scale works and to incorporating color. Aiming to produce vibrant and imaginative designs, Jean illustrated a botanical banana leaf frond, leading to the creation of the Nana Lure Lamps. PELLE introduced the first Nana Lure Lamps in two variations, Solid and Split Leaf, at the “Unnatural Habitat” exhibition held in May 2019 at their previous showroom in Flatiron, NYC.
What are the most popular fixtures in this collection?
The Nana Lure lighting fixtures are striking statement pieces that provide a subtle accent lighting to your home. PELLE notes that the most sought-after fixtures in this collection are:
- Nana Lure Lamp: Combining realism and fantastical abstraction to bring a botanical illustration to life, these single-leaf lamp shades come in two sizes: 36 and 48 inches referencing the size of the frond itself.
- Nana Lure Chandelier: This statement lighting fixture features six cast-cotton fronds branching off from a center suspension. After debuting in 2021 at Design Miami at Pelle’s Curio Booth titled “Infinite Lure,” it has been featured in many design magazines worldwide and was exhibited at The Denver Art Museum exhibition “Biophilia; Nature Reimagined” alongside other global art and design in the summer of 2024.
What is the hidden gem of the Nana Lure collection?
The hidden gem of this lighting collection from PELLE is the Nana Lure Wall Lamp. It’s a 2023 addition to the collection and makes for a great bedside reading lamp. Plus, it can be installed on any wall without the need for hard-wiring.
One-of-a-Kind Lighting from PELLE
All of PELLE’s lighting fixtures are hand-made to order. As such, many aspects of the pieces are customizable for a one-of-a-kind statement piece. For example, each of the mentioned collections offers various customization options:
- Bubble Chandeliers: Customers can select from different metal finishes and coiling options (cotton cord or leather, in various colors), and choose between clear, hand-painted, or gilded/silvered glass globes.
- Lure Chandeliers: PELLE works with clients to ideally compose the sculptural elements and lighting configuration, including the metal finish, to suit the specific location.
- Nana Lure Lamps: Along with special hand-painted colorways and metal finishes, Jean has added landscape illustrations to the inner fronds, allowing for a personalized touch.
Jean and Oliver blend artistic techniques with engineering expertise to produce functional designs that approach the realm of unique artworks. Their work is distinguished not by a specific style but by a profound attention to craftsmanship, materials, form, and human concepts. They seek to connect with an audience that values their creations, seeing them as an expression of their personal identity and artistic principles.