Blurring the lines between the utilitarian and the decorative is the design signature for lighting studio Trueing. The New York-based studio, helmed by self-taught designers Aiden Bowman and Josh Metersky, has steadily grown and evolved since its founding in 2017, and even achieved viral status on Tiktok with its recognisable Cerine light fixtures, an homage to the ubiquitous chain link.
Rather than jump into the rigorous global design circuit, Bowman and Metersky have intentionally worked at their own pace. Their latest release, a 12-strong collection developed around a floral motif named Lilia, comes two years after Cerine, and was independently released, without a trade show or exhibition in sight.
Lilia lighting collection by Trueing
‘For this collection, we were really influenced by seeing the Blaschka glass flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. These glass flower specimens date back to the 19th century and were used for scientific study,’ recounts Bowman. ‘They got us thinking about facsimiles of nature. We bring aspects of nature into homes all the time, from fresh bouquets to floral prints. It seems slightly banal, but we were really curious about how we could preserve the feeling of having something alive and even pretty, yet take a completely different point of view.’
Fashioned from sprays of flower buds featuring hand blown glass petals that emerge from a gently serpentine silhouette, Trueing’s new design is as beautiful as it is technical. Featuring a sandblasted exterior, reflective interior and mirror polished edges that create a multiplying effect when viewed in person, the highly technical design is a captivating balance between the futuristic and the literal.
‘Over the years, we have hit on this manipulation of glass as our material of choice and want to find new ways to interpret it that are technically proficient, but also aesthetically pleasing,’ says Bowman. ‘There’s an element of precision here that’s not typically seen in the category of hand blown glass. We’ve created these mondo-size glass panels, each of which are technically difficult to make. There’s also this intricate metal armature inside each bud that almost resembles a mediaeval flying buttress on the interior.’
A testament to Bowman’s background in art history and Metersky’s training as an engineer, Lilia is an exquisite next step for the design studio. Available in eight muted shades named after foods like apricot, melon and aubergine, the collection exudes a much-needed sense of calm and wonder on both the surface level and the deeper narrative one.
A version of this story appears in January 2023 Wallpaper*, The Future Issue, available now in print, on the Wallpaper* app on Apple iOS, and to subscribers of Apple News +. Subscribe to Wallpaper* today
Elma Chandelier
Cerine pendant light
Cerine glass chain
-
The bespoke Jaguar E-Type GTO melds elements from every era of the classic sports carECD Automotive Design’s one-off commission caters to a client who wanted to combine the greatest hits of Jaguar’s E-Type along with modern conveniences and more power
-
Casa Sanlorenzo debuts in Venice as a new hub for contemporary artThe luxury yachting leader unveils a stunning new space in a palazzo restored by Piero Lissoni – where art, innovation, and sustainability come together
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on lifeThanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being rebonr as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Josh Egesi on his designs and evolving culture: 'Design is a form of cultural documentation'Nigerian designer Josh Egesi tells Wallpaper* about the creativity behind his studio, design approach, his country's cultural revolution, and venturing into surfboard design
-
Panorammma's design work is a combination of fictional worldsWallpaper* Future Icons: Mexico City-based design studio Panorammma is the practice of 29-year old Maika Palazuelos
-
Olivia Bossy's sculptural furniture is inspired by everyday momentsWallpaper* Future Icons: based in Sydney Olivia Bossy turns visuals and ideas into sculptural furniture
-
Rio Kobayashi turns traditional furniture making on its headWallpaper* Future Icons: how Austrian-Japanese designer Rio Kobayashi reinvents traditional furniture through diverse influences and collaborations
-
Rino Claessens’ modular furniture experiments with ceramic designWallpaper* Future Icons: Rino Claessens turns his love for ceramics into experimental large-scale modules and compositions
-
Inside Seongil Choi's experiments with materials and formWallpaper* Future Icons: Seoul-based Seongil Choi works across a variety of materials, with experimental approaches at the heart of his work
-
Parti Studio swing between architecture and design through research and experimentationWallpaper* Future Icons: London-based architecture practice Parti made its lighting design debut this year
-
Giles Nartey translates African rituals into bold design objectsFuture Icons: Giles Nartey's boundary-pushing work combines teaching, research and design
