Lightly’s latest collection, ‘Le Jardin’ (The Garden), is a bold exploration of colour and form, inspired by Marrakesh, the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. Director Cindy-Lee Davies was captivated and heavily influenced by the North African Kingdom’s enchanting secret gardens and remote landscapes when she visited earlier in the year. ‘They are incredible oases of peace and tranquility – paradise on Earth with lush greens from all over the world, and earthy clay and ochre buildings, with the red of the Atlas Mountains in the background,’ she describes.
For all its valorous hues, Lightly’s new lights, planters, soft furnishings and other homewares remain timeless, championing functionality and bring wellbeing to the forefront of design. ‘I think people want a more effortless life, with a sense of balance and respite to their living spaces,’ surmises Cindy-Lee. She explains that ‘Le Jardin’ is really about enriching the lives of those who come into contact with her brand, through colour and comfort, but also by offering easy-living products that can help to create personal sanctuaries.
This approach is evident in Cindy-Lee’s scrupulous colour research; she spent months on the scheme for the new collection. Quality control is also a chief priority, and so she values small-batch, sustainable production. ‘Producing a quality product that will have longevity in someone’s home is way more important to me than being on trend,’ she says.
Alongside their in-house product ranges, Lightly has been busy investing in new local and international makers. ‘Relationships are at the core of the brand, and we’ve maintained our close ties with both our local factories in Australia and the artisans we work with overseas. At the same time, we’ve been building some exciting new ties with like-minded designers who we now stock in the evolving warehouse and showroom, including furniture from Scandinavian design house Muuto, Swedish Tre-Sekel and Tina Marie’s ceramics from Copenhagen along with our favourite Aussies,’ tells Cindy-Lee. She has also transformed Lightly’s upstairs showroom into ‘The Apartment’, a Copenhagen styled space that pairs pieces from these Nordic names with the Lightly collection.
Cindy-Lee is set to head overseas again soon to pursue new opportunities for her brand. ‘A sense of adventure ensures we are always exploring new horizons, literally and figuratively,’ she tells. ‘From working with new materials, to innovations in design and production, and to seeking out global inspiration, an adventurous spirit is what builds momentum and keeps the business moving.’
See the Lightly’s in-house collection online, here, or visit the showroom at 3 Glasshouse Road in Collingwood, Melbourne.
