Canadian lighting market embraces the bespoke
On the eve of the Interior Design Show in Vancouver, Canada, we spoke with Richard Assaly, the founder and president of Canadian lighting retailer and distributor LightForm, about his approach to global design, what his customers are looking for and how the ‘Made in Canada’ movement is gaining strength in light of recent trade tensions with the U.S.
What lighting categories or aesthetics are gaining traction in the Canadian market that U.S. manufacturers should be paying attention to?
We’re seeing a growing demand for lighting with more “hand” in the work — products that retain a sense of craftsmanship and individuality rather than feeling purely industrial or mass-produced. At LightForm, with offices across the country from Vancouver to Montreal and now in Florida, we have a broad view of the North American market, and this trend is particularly evident in the mid- to high-end Canadian market.
[In July, LightForm appointed Terry Kukuda director of sales, USA, and will bring four new and existing brands to the U.S. market for the first time, according to a company spokesperson: Nexia and Olev, both new additions to the LightForm portfolio, as well as DGA and Zavaluce.]
We call it “Bespoke Production”: often made-to-order lighting produced in smaller-scale metal, glass and ceramic workshops, where the process and craftsmanship remain visible in the finished piece. Much of this demand is being driven by architects and designers looking for something distinctive for their clients.
Brands such as J. Adams & Co., Rakumba, A-emotional Light and Lee Broom are good examples of this direction. There will always be a strong market for established international brands, but we’re seeing increasing interest in products that offer a stronger sense of authenticity, craftsmanship and connection to the maker.
Are customers still willing to invest in statement lighting, or are you seeing more demand for value and flexibility?
Absolutely. There will always be a market for value, particularly now that consumers can access virtually every price point with a click. But we continue to see strong demand for statement lighting, particularly when the customer understands what they are investing in.
At LightForm, we think about value in terms of longevity rather than simply price. The pieces we seek out are often made in smaller-scale, artisanal environments, and their value comes from the design, craftsmanship, materials and the people behind them. In that sense, a truly exceptional light can be more like buying a piece of art than a commodity — it’s something you live with, keep, and potentially pass on.
There is room for every budget in lighting, but we don’t see value and design as opposing ideas. For customers willing to invest, a statement piece can do far more than illuminate a room — it can define it. The best lighting becomes part of the architecture, remains relevant for decades and, ultimately, can be something worth keeping and passing on.
Are Canadian customers becoming more interested in Canadian-made lighting as a result of the trade tensions with the U.S.?
There is certainly growing interest in Canadian-made product, and the current trade tensions have brought that conversation to the forefront of the design community. That said, I think it’s still too early to know how significantly they will change specification habits.
At LightForm, we continue to work with exceptional manufacturers from around the world. European products, for example, have a long history of influencing Canadian design, and our trade relationship with Europe makes many of those products readily accessible. We also have some outstanding Canadian manufacturers, although the domestic market doesn’t yet offer the breadth of product needed to meet every specification.
What has changed is that “Made in Canada” is increasingly part of the conversation. We’re particularly excited about that opportunity here in British Columbia. We’ve been working with Wood BC to develop a local manufacturing facility for MOONLYT, our new collection, which will allow us to offer a genuinely Canadian-made lighting solution. For us, it’s less about choosing Canadian over the rest of the world and more about creating opportunities to build exceptional products here at home.
