Category: Brand Spotlight

Of all the lighting we sell, there are few manufacturers that embody the sheer range of styles, finishes and designs that Elstead Lighting does. Elstead are a British company that have been going since the 17th century. They specialise in the manufacture and distribution of lighting all over the world, but they’re based right here in the UK.

They offer almost every type of light, from wall to table, pendant to outdoor, in almost every possible style, from the most traditional to the cutting edge. We are delighted to have them be part of our range, so let’s see how they got to their position as one of the most reputable lighting companies around.

The company that Elstead is today is a long way from where they started. They were originally known as The Elstead Forge and were founded in 1686 in the hamlet of Elstead in Surrey. It continued that way until 1967, when it was taken over by a man called Geoffrey Lucas, who’s family continue to run the company today.

At the time, they were mainly producing gates, railings and other ironworks, rather than lights. Working in iron led them to make some fire baskets and simple lights. They often made more than needed and sold the extra pieces to local people. These lights proved incredibly popular, which lead to them designing more.

Their range of lights grew quickly and the demand for them meant they soon outgrew the forge. They moved to new premises in Alton in Hampshire in the 1970s, but it didn’t stop there. Throughout the 1980s they began to specialise in lights and the company went from strength to strength.

In 2012, Elstead went global from their new (and current) offices by signing a deal with 4 North American lighting companies; Feiss, Hinkley, Quoizel and Flambeau. They operate under licence to convert the American designs from 100v to our own 240v.

Today, they offer more than 2500 designs of both indoor and outdoor lighting. They still offer traditional handcrafted lights, but also combine cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to deliver lights that are enjoyed in 60 countries around the globe. The team at Castlegate Lights are delighted to be one of them. So, if you’re looking for an Elstead light, what can you expect?

We don’t think it’s an understatement to say that Elstead Lighting have worked hard to build a reputation for high quality, well designed light fittings. Despite their history, their modern outlook means they now specialise in designs that blend quality and style perfectly. They range from traditional lighting right through to contemporary designs, covering everything in between.

From stunning chandeliers to table lamps, hanging lanterns to exceptional floor lamps, Elstead’s range means that whatever type of light you’re looking for, you’re sure to find one that will suit your home perfectly. We would be amazed if there wasn’t at least one Elstead light you’ll fall in electrical love with.

We are delighted to have Elstead as a partner and we’re sure that when you take a look at what they offer, you’ll be equally as happy when you get it home and see in the place it’s supposed to be.

Lighting is an important aspect of Christmas that often gets overlooked. When we think ‘Christmas’, we might think about the presents, the dinner or the tree, but all of those things are enhanced by lighting. Whether it comes from naked light through candles or the electric variety we’ve come to rely on. Either way, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without something to light up the darkness. For us, only one name really comes to mind when we think about Christmas lighting, and that’s Konstsmide.

Konstsmide’s range of traditional, modern and even novelty lighting brings together historical design, modern aesthetic and a sense of fun to deliver beautiful lights that would look right at home as part of anyone’s festivities.

Konstsmide, as a company, started in 1942 in Gnosjö, Sweden. Bus driver Gunnar Johansson wanted to do something different in his life, and decided to make wrought iron flower stands and garden ornaments. As you do.

This led him to start his own company in rented premises. By the 1950s they moved onto producing electric candlesticks and now do that across Europe. Their bold innovation coupled with classic Nordic design means that they’re still a thriving business, producing beautiful lights and we’re proud to be able to offer them to you.

Konstsmide have come a long way since they first produced their range of electric candlesticks all those years ago. They still do them, and they still look amazing, but their range has grown so they are bound to have something for your home this Christmas.

If you’re looking for string lights, they have some fantastic designs to suit every room. Whether you want to go for an animal motif, then you can choose from reindeers or polar bears. If you want something different, but equally as playful, then we have some incredible gingerbread men (and women) string lights.

It’s not just inside your home that Konstsmide lights evoke a real sense of Christmas. We have a fabulous range of acrylic animals that would look fantastic in the garden or in the porch of your home. They will give your home a real sense of fun at Christmas and the kids will love them. Whether you want to go traditional with candles, be adventurous with a St. Bernard dog (brandy not included sadly) or even go a little alternative with a penguin, these acrylic figures will look spectacular through the Winter nights.

Our favourite Nordic lighting company also have a range of welcome lights with some very strong Christmas themes. There are a wide range of scenes, all providing the quintessential Christmas card images of villages, forests or churches. They give a warmth to any home and evoke all your best memories of Yuletides that have gone before.

Whichever Konstsmide lights you choose, you can rest assured that you’ll be buying lighting that gives you so much more than illumination. They are all well-made with a wide range and can suit your home whether your decor is modern or traditional.

Whilst Santa may call Lapland his home, it’s not the only thing that Scandinavia can contribute to your Christmas this year.

Wazowsky lights aren’t named after the little green hero of Monsters Inc, but are just as much fun for children, teenagers or adults as our favourite wise-cracking cyclop!

If you’re looking for a Christmas or birthday present that’s a little different but is sure to bring a smile to their faces, then the Mantra Wazowsky light speaker might just be exactly what you’re looking for.

There is more to this particular light than meets the eye. The first thing you’ll notice is the distinctive design. Looking like a cross between a futuristic miner’s lamp and a high-end speaker. There’s a good reason why those two things spring to mind, and that’s because that’s exactly what it is. The Wazowsky Mantra is both a light AND an audio speaker, and it’s fully portable.

We’re all used to taking our smartphones everywhere we go these days, carrying with us all our photos and our entire music collections. Whether you’re going to a party or just end up surrounded by friends for an impromptu celebration, the Wazowsky light gives you the party atmosphere you’ll need straight out of the box.

It’s powerful enough to make its mark, but small enough to take anywhere. It measures just 27cm high, 29cm wide and 23cm deep. Even in this compact form, it is far from a shrinking violet, although that’s definitely one of the colours it can adapt to!

Thanks to its handy remote control and Bluetooth connectivity, the light can be illuminated into a huge range of colours to suit every decor, style or mood. In addition, when music is playing, it also comes with a ‘beat sync’ mode that allows the light to flash in time with the music to create a fantastic atmosphere. If you’re wanting to get the party started, there’s no better place to start than here!

Of course, when the party is in full swing, the music is key and the sound emitted from the speaker won’t be lost in the space. It has a 10-watt power output which gives crystal clear sound, so you can get your groove on! In addition, the speaker comes with its own internal battery, which gives between 6 and 9 hours of playback from a full 7-hour charge. That should be more than enough to get the party going long into the night. Don’t worry about additional wires getting caught, because there aren’t any.

If that wasn’t enough, the speaker also comes with a IP44 rating which means it’s splash-proof so it can be used outside or by the pool (or the bar) without fear of water ingress or damage, but there’s more. The speaker also comes with a 2-year warranty, which means it gives you great sound, amazing colours and peace of mind to enjoy it over and over again.

Whether you want it to be a great light, a fantastic speaker, or both, the Mantra Wazowsky fits the bill. The next time friends come calling and it develops into a party, break out the Wazowsky, turn it up, light it up and have a monster of a bash.

You may not have heard of David Hunt Lighting, but we’re fairly certain you’ll have seen some of their incredible work, especially if you’ve dropped into our store recently. David Hunt Lighting have been producing their own distinctive range of lighting, first from their Birmingham studio, then in their current home in the Cotswolds, for over 100 years.

Ever since they were founded back in the 1800s, David Hunt Lighting have been designing and manufacturing their original lighting designs to an incredibly high standard. They’ve lasted much longer than most other companies, let alone those who deal solely in the lighting industry. With a pedigree like that, Castlegate Lights are incredibly proud to be able to bring you a selection of their stunning lights.

‘Made in Great Britain’ is a term that seemingly went out of fashion in the 1970s, but it still carries a weight, still carries gravitas in many circles. It’s a sign of quality, craftsmanship and care. These three words all sum up lights from David Hunt.

They have been building their products in the UK ever since they were formed. These are not mass-produced in China then just finished in this country. Everything they do comes direct from their Midlands base of operations. It’s a sign of quality and shows a confidence that is echoed in each and every one of their products. This is reflected not only in the design, but the quality and highest standards of electrical safety. A feature that is often overlooked, but plays a crucial part in their products.

You can take a look at their range right here on our website. You will see straight away all of the factors we’ve talked about reflected in their lights. They all offer a quintessentially traditional aesthetic, but at the same time, convey a timeless sense of style.

Their choice of materials, from the brass and bronze finishes right through to the pewter and copper, epitomise modern lighting design. They are one of the few lighting manufacturers for whom modern and traditional can blend seamlessly together.

David Hunt Lighting is far from a ‘one-trick pony’ when it comes to design. Their vast range of wall lights, table or ceiling lights will give you lighting variants that many others struggle to maintain, especially over such a long period of time.

As you can see, there isn’t a design which feels common or bland. Each one represents a facet of the company over their long history. Whichever one you choose, you can be sure you’ll be getting a piece of lighting that will be as individual and unique as you are.

Every item that comes from their factory in Shipston has been hand-crafted and finished using traditional hand finishing techniques. Whilst most manufacturers are at the mercy of mass-production and a huge turnover of standard products, David Hunt swim against the tide in what they do.

The fact that they use traditional hand-finishing techniques, means their lights have textures and finishes that most other similar companies can only dream of. This also means that, when you buy a David Hunt light, you know that you are getting a piece of furniture that is unique in how it looks.

The differences may be slight, but they are there and you can buy one knowing not only your home will be gaining a beautiful piece of modern lighting, but also one that has been born of traditional techniques and values.

When it comes to modern lighting, there are few brands that exemplify contemporary elegance and stunning design more than Illuminati. Castlegate Lights are delighted to be able to showcase one of the most exclusive manufacturers in the world, and we’d be delighted to show you how you can incorporate them into your home to create a space you’ll love to live in.

If you are looking to bring some more style and design-led lighting into your home or office, then we will have something that will suit your space, whatever your personal preferences. Whether you’re looking for table, wall or floor lights, pendants and chandeliers, Illuminati will have something for you. Their products are the epitome of luxury and their designs will stand the test of time.

Illuminati lights aren’t mass-produced. They utilise cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and bring the very best artisan and Italian designers together to create a range of lights that will look simply stunning in your home, wherever you choose to place them. Their focus is very much design-led, meaning they concentrate on creative lighting, which gives your home a beautifully enriching environment you will want to show off.

The Illuminati range is enormous. They must have worked incredibly hard to bring such products to market at all and there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a contemporary twist on crystal globe pendants, an ultra-modern ceiling fitting or awe-inspiring chandeliers that exude elegance, then our Illuminati range is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

The lights themselves come in a range of styles that will suit your own personal taste. Whether you like your pendants shining in gold, polished chrome or clear crystal, their designs are perfectly suited to get the most from every room. If you prefer your lighting to have a much more contemporary feel, then they also do some stunning ceiling pendants and wall lights that really have to be seen to be believed.

Don’t think for a minute that you need a huge home to get the most from Illuminati lighting. That is absolutely not the case. Their range of ceiling and table lamps, not to mention wall fittings, can be matched together beautifully, whatever size home you live in. You can be guaranteed that they will add an aesthetic to your home that simply isn’t possible with other lights.

Whether you prefer the classic or strive for the more unusual, Illuminati will have a design that you’ll fall in love with. Modern LED technology has liberated Illuminati designers to express themselves like never before. It has allowed them to create a set of lights that will settle perfectly into your home, from a victorian terrace to a cutting edge self-build.

This modern Italian design comes at a price. The good news is that it’s a price almost everyone can afford. Lighting of this quality tends to be prohibitively expensive, but Illuminati have made high-end lighting accessible to all, which means you can demonstrate your clean, contemporary taste without cleaning out your old-fashioned bank balance.

If you think you know lighting, then Castlegate Lights and the new Illuminati range are ready to redefine what lighting can be in the 21st century. With the longer, darker nights slowly eating into our lives, there has never been a better time to show the world how bright your home can be.

For those familiar with the decorative lighting industry, Endon is a name that has earned a reputation for excellence, building on a long and storied history to becoming one of the most trusted, innovative and revered manufacturers in operation. We’re absolutely thrilled to bring you the finest official Endon products from their ranges of lighting that encompasses lighting for just about every room in the home, in a number of simply fantastic styles.

We’re going to look at a few of their ranges below, and we know you’re going to be spending a lot more time looking for Endon products in the future as their quality and value continue to shine through brightly.

21^st century lighting from Endon’s ultra-modern lighting range

Endon strives to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to production of the sleekest lighting styles around. Take a moment to gaze upon the Enluce LED Outdoor Circular Wall Fitting; which has been afforded a luxurious aluminium finish accompanied by the frosted diffuser. The contoured edges and superior design of this lighting intended for use as wall lighting would look fantastic in any space.

If you’re looking for something for the exterior of your home, Endon should be your first stop for lighting capable of illuminating your walkways in an elegant fashion, sure to garner you many compliments from passers-by.

Check out this superb 3 light outdoor post light in black silver cast aluminium, which combines effective lighting and distinctive, patterned metalwork to offer a simply stunning decorative lighting feature.

But wait, there’s more!

Castlegate Lights is committed to providing you, the customer, with the finest products from the leading authorised brands; and our offerings of superb lighting brands certainly do not stop at Endon. Head on over to our ‘Lighting Brands’ page, where you’ll find a portal to such incredible household lighting names such as Astro Lighting and Dar Lighting. We’re constantly updating and refreshing our collection of lighting brands, so be sure to check back regularly; or contact us if any of our brand selections don’t include a particular item you’ve set your heart on – we’ll do our best to supply it for you in a timely fashion.

Get in touch with Castlegate Lights and talk Endon!

Have you recently bought something from the Endon Lighting range? Has something from our range of Endon products caught your eye? Feel free to leave a review below in the comments section and we’ll publish them in an attempt to better illuminate the advantages and drawbacks of your Endon lighting item.

Brand in the Spotlight: Eglo Lighting

This month we turn our brand spotlight on one of our most popular lighting brands, Eglo Lighting. Eglo are one of Europe’s leading suppliers of contemporary lighting and here at Castlegate Lights we are constantly impressed with the company’s innovative designs.

Who are they?

Eglo are a worldwide provider of decorative home lighting, focusing on design trends in the lighting industry to ensure that they are at the forefront of the industry. Each lighting design is a team effort between the experts in the company who work hard to create pieces that combine forward thinking design with accessible, stylish home lighting. Eglo see themselves as trendsetters, valuing simplicity and providing customers with easy to understand installation instructions. By listening to the needs of their customers they have been able to create a diverse range that is both versatile and aesthetically pleasing.

Signature Style

The Eglo range is extremely diverse, with lighting solutions for both indoor and outdoor use. Each piece is crafted to reflect the brands promise to offer only the highest quality lights, using sleek chrome and aluminium finishes to create something that really grabs your attention. There are even lights designed to brighten up children’s bedrooms, combining bright colours and cartoons with the same quality Eglo technology.

If you fancy giving your home a modern lighting twist, make sure you take a look at the full Eglo Lighting range available right here at Castlegate Lights. Do you have a favourite piece from the range? Share it with us on our Facebook page!