“Bad lighting is a social repellent,” warns designer Helen Gifford, “people just scurry away from it.” But when it comes to her own custom lighting brand, HelenBilt, Gifford’s storied clientele need not worry. Launching her line upon graduating from Parsons School of Design in 2000, Gifford has
Gifford supports other Hamptons artisans through her own collection of artwork from the East End of Long Island, such as Reflections by Vincent Brandi, pictured here.
quickly gained a following of Hollywood starlets and famed architects alike. Bringing together factory function and the outré geometry of nature, the designer creates lighting installations in a style she describes as “industrial beach.” Gifford works to “harmonize aesthetic with lifestyle,” making fixtures both beautiful and functional. Based in the Hamptons, the company is best known for its Urchin collection, which now includes an eco-friendly version. But she hasn’t stopped there; she recently launched a collection of hand-painted wallpapers. “I realized I needed to offer wallcoverings that furthered the effect of the lighting fixtures,” Gifford explains. It comes as no surprise, then, that the wallpaper is made of metallic Mylar, a texture known for its luminous sheen. helenbilt.com; 917.449.9677
L I G H T C O N V E R S AT I O N
HELEN GIFFORD I GOT STARTED…
When the International Contemporary Furniture Fair accepted my application for a booth while I was still a student at Parsons. Plug Lighting was the first to sell my work, and soon after shelter magazines began writing about my installations for high-profile Hollywood clients. TOOLS OF THE TRADE:
A welding torch, my Leatherman and a limitless imagination. DREAM COLLABORATION:
Yann Kersalé, I would humbly sweep his studio if I were so honored with the task. CURRENT PROJECT:
Recently a government mandate went into effect that will begin phasing out incandescent bulbs over a 10-year period. As I thought about what would happen to those outlawed bulbs, I decided to repurpose them as a design element and created my eco-friendly lighting collection. WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
Photography and art from the East End of Long Island, specifically pieces by Eric Striffler, Vincent Brandi, Darius Yektai, Jeff Muhs and Tapp Francke. LUXE INTERIORS
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