In a captivating display at the London Design Festival 2026, designer Jesse Butterfield presents an innovative fusion of paper and metal, prominently featuring his renowned craftsmanship in the “jesse butterfield lighting” series. The exhibition, curated by Alex Tieghi-Walker in the Brompton Design District, showcases the Sew Paper Lighting and Stool Des Pois series.
Jesse Butterfield Lighting: Sculptural Elegance with Paper Lanterns
The Sew Paper Lighting series continues the time-honored tradition of paper lampshades, celebrated for their lightness and translucency. Collaborating with The Paper Foundation, a renowned Lake District paper mill established by Mark Cropper, Butterfield selected a variety of papers to create these unique pieces. This illustrates the essence of his lighting approach by merging tradition with innovation.
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“We visited The Paper Foundation to explore their process and choose papers that offer beautiful drapery and lighting effects,” explains Butterfield. The result is an array of pieces, each formed with slim stainless steel frames that guide the design from pendants to floor lamps.
Metal Transformed: The Stool Des Pois Series
Butterfield’s exploration extends to the Stool Des Pois series, where metal mimics the qualities of paper. Beginning with a paper model, the stools are scaled up in steel, heated, and hand-hammered to achieve a delicate lightness. This attention to detail is parallel to the craftsmanship found in his lighting designs, showcasing his talent in creating sculptural lighting. Each stool, though starting from the same model, is unique due to its handmade nature and intentional blackening of the metal which tells the story of their manufacturing process.
“This is the first time I’m showcasing these surface dots,” says Butterfield. “They originate from the making process, embodying the theme of ‘perfectly imperfect,'” resonating with this year’s Brompton Design District theme. The thematic exploration seen here is akin to the thoughtful precision in every piece of his collection.
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Amidst other district highlights, RCA students showcased tool-crafted stools, and Isamaya French debuted her second Studio Iron show. The photography capturing this inventive exhibition is by Andy Stagg.
A Veil Boundary was displayed from 12 to 20 September at the London Design Festival. The event is a part of a global series, highlighted in the Dezeen Events Guide.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials does Jesse Butterfield use in his designs?
Jesse Butterfield uses a fusion of paper and metal in his designs, prominently featuring in the Sew Paper Lighting and Stool Des Pois series presented at the London Design Festival.
How are the Stool Des Pois series crafted?
The Stool Des Pois series begins with a paper model that is scaled up in steel, then heated and hand-hammered to mimic the qualities of paper while achieving a delicate lightness.
What unique effect do the stools’ surface dots have?
The surface dots on the stools originate from the making process, embodying the theme of ‘perfectly imperfect,’ echoing the Brompton Design District’s theme for the year.