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BESTLITE
Bestlite stems from the revolutionary changes that took place in design in the period between 1919 and 1933. This period - known as Bauhaus - sought to break down the barriers between practical crafts, industrialisation and fine art. Design from this era brought functionality and simplicity to the forefront, displacing all superfluous ornamentation. Bauhaus was a rebellion against tradition and this is the school and style which has had the greatest influence on 20th century design.
Robert Dudley Best designed the original Bestlite in 1930. His studies as an industrial designer took him to Paris and Dusseldorf where he drew the first drafts of the lamp which would later by synonymous with his name. As the lamp was the first example of Bauhaus in the UK, strong arguments were needed before the lamp could be put into production. The lamp was then produced by Best and Lloyd, the manufacturing company founded by Best's family in 1840. After the feature in the Architects Journal the architectural community opened its eyes to the potential of the lamp - and further credibility was given by Winston Churchill who had a Bestlite on his desk, giving the lamp iconic, classic status.
Bestlite has undergone many reincarnations over its history but the integrity of the Bestlite design and its uncompromising quality remains the same. Whether it's the table, desk, wall, floor standing or pendant/hanging versions all Bestlite options come in three colours (matt black, ivory and glossy white) and lend themselves to both traditional and modern interiors and are ideal for both contract and domestic use.
In 2004 the Danish firm Gubi took over the international rights for the Bestlite collection and this is still designed and manufactured in Birmingham, 79 years after Best designed his first Bestlite.
