LEE BROOM
Porcelain craftsmanship meets contemporary design
Lee Broom is one of the most influential designers of his generation. Known for his multidisciplinary approach, he blends classic and contemporary elements to create a distinctive design language.
Cascade marks his first collaboration with Lladró—and the first time he has explored porcelain as the primary material in his lighting designs. The result is a bold reinterpretation that pushes the boundaries of porcelain and its techniques, while evoking the lightness and joy of iconic paper lanterns.
With a constant drive to innovate, Broom combines the finest materials with cutting-edge technology to craft pieces that are both poetic and forward-looking.
How did this collaboration with Lladró come about, and what attracted you to working with porcelain?
The collaboration with Lladró came about because they asked me if I would be interested in working with them. I immediately said yes, as I’ve been a long-time fan of Lladró’s work with porcelain. For me, working with porcelain, particularly in lighting, was an exciting opportunity because it’s a material I hadn’t worked with much before, especially in my own brand. It was intriguing to think about how I could apply the same principles I use in my designs to porcelain, a material that’s unfamiliar to me.
So this is your first time working with porcelain… What has surprised you the most about this material during the design process?
Yes, this is my first time working with porcelain, especially in lighting. What really surprised me about porcelain is its translucency. I didn’t expect it to transmit light in the way it does. It’s almost like rice paper or ancient lanterns. The way it captures and diffuses light was a real eye-opener, and it inspired a lot of the direction for the Cascade collection. But working with porcelain is challenging because it’s a very unpredictable material, especially when you’re creating something as precise as lighting.
What was the main inspiration behind Cascade?
The inspiration behind Cascade came from the idea of a lantern. Lanterns have always been a symbol of celebration and marking important moments. The first thing I wanted to evoke with Cascade was that sense of joy, a feeling of lightness and celebration. I wanted to use porcelain to capture that same light quality you get from ancient lanterns, but with a modern, minimalist twist.
How would you describe this collection in just a few words?
I would describe Cascade as elegant, fluid, and atmospheric. It combines modernist design with the organic qualities of porcelain, and the interplay of light and form is key to its character.
You’ve mentioned that light represents emotion for you. How is this reflected in the design of CASCADE?
Light is integral to the emotion I want to convey in Cascade. Lighting always represents emotion, and I think any product in your home should evoke some kind of feeling. For Cascade, I drew inspiration from the lantern’s symbolic role in celebration, which immediately brings feelings of joy or peace. The way the porcelain interacts with light also creates an atmosphere that can bring a sense of calm or warmth to a space.
What kind of spaces do you envision Cascade coming to life in?
Cascade is versatile, and that’s something I love about it. You can create different configurations of the pieces, which makes it adaptable to various spaces. I can see it fitting in a grand hotel lobby, down a stairwell, or even in a bedroom with two simple pieces on either side of a bed. The design’s flexibility means it can work in both large, dramatic spaces and more intimate settings.
How does this collection differ from others you’ve designed in the past?
This collection differs because it pushed me into uncharted territory, particularly with the use of porcelain in lighting. I’ve always focused on balance, symmetry, and precision, but with porcelain, it’s a material that’s less predictable. That added a new challenge that I wouldn’t normally have encountered. The opportunity to collaborate with Lladró and push the boundaries of porcelain was a unique journey that took me in a direction I wouldn’t have gone on my own.
What do you hope people feel or experience when they see these pieces?
When people see Cascade, I want them to feel a sense of joy and celebration. The lantern-inspired design brings a moment of reflection or commemoration, whether it’s a wedding or the memory of a lost loved one. When people touch the pieces and feel the porcelain, I hope it evokes another layer of emotion. Ultimately, I want the collection to bring a sense of warmth and pleasure to those who encounter it.
