Dezeen Magazine

Room with curtains and lighting

Lee Broom unveils lighting informed by "mythology" in New York penthouse

British designer Lee Broom has debuted a collection of lighting during NYCxDesign showcased in an installation of mauve curtains in the designer's personal Tribeca penthouse.

The Alchemist collection, which encompasses pendants lights, chandeliers and wall sconces, was informed by the designer's reading of Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's book The Alchemist and references themes of  "astrology, mythology and folklore".

Lighting in room
Designer Lee Broom has debuted a collection of lighting in New York

Informed by "the traditional welding of brass" the pieces with names like Mythos, King, Solstice and Gemini are largely made of the material, with glass, acrylic and leather incorporated throughout.

They feature geometric shapes and are made up of stacked or interlocking volumes, with the spikey, brass chandelier King placed at the centre of the showroom.

Lighting amoungst curtains
The collection was informed by Broom's reading of the novel The Alchemist

"After reading the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Broom was inspired by the concepts in the book and the idea of alchemy," said the team.

"Broom wanted to create a lighting collection which explored the physical ideas around alchemy while also touching on the metaphysical aspects by referencing themes of astrology, mythology and folklore."

Lighting amoungst curtains
It will be displayed in Broom's New York penthouse during NYCxDesign

For its debut in the US, the lighting was placed in the grand room of Broom's New York penthouse, which was "wrapped in curtains and drapery reminiscent of bedouin tents" for the display.

Tables were also placed around the space to hold books, candles and an antique globe.

"I have completely reimagined the main room of the space creating an atmosphere that reflects the story and inspirations of the Alchemist and the materiality of the products," Broom told Dezeen.

"This gives visitors an opportunity to see the new collection in a residential environment as well as experiencing them in a more immersive space."

Lighting hanging from ceiling
The pieces are largely made of brass

Both the darkly coloured King pendant and the lighter Solstice are made of spheres entrapped within metallic volumes that sit on top of one another, while the Gemini wall sconce is made of a cylinder spilt at its centre and shifted apart.

The collection was designed in-house and produced at Broom's London factory, although it was designed in New York.

A pendant hanging around curtains
It includes pendants, chandeliers and wall sconces

"I wanted to create something more intimate and more personal for Alchemist," said Broom. "I designed the collection in New York as I spend a third of the year in the city, so it only felt right to launch the new pieces here and in the penthouse apartment."

The designer also recently unveiled his largest exhibition at Milan design week in an exhibition informed by brutalist architecture and will also serve as a judge for the Dezeen Awards 2024.

The photography is by Julia Chesky

The Alchemist collection will be on show at the Lee Broom Penthouse in Tribeca from 17 May to 23 May and New York's design festival 2024 takes place throughout the city from 16 to 23 May. See the NYCxDesign 2024  guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.

More images

Curtains with table
Lighting amoungst curtains
Lee Broom standing in room
Lee Broom standing in room