A New Light: The Story of Thomas Cooper Studio
Founders Sally Thomas Cooper and Jason Kai Cooper |
Initial concept of Tetra pendant |
After over two decades as the unseen force behind renowned lighting brands Lusive and Luxe Light + Home, which debuted in 2002 and 2015 respectively, Los Angeles-based creative partners Sally Thomas Cooper and Jason Kai Cooper embarked on a new journey in 2023: the creation of their namesake brand, Thomas Cooper Studio. Driven by a shared passion for design and a desire to explore the material and sculptural essence of lighting, they founded the studio with the aim of crafting exceptional collectible pieces.
Sally and Jason’s shift from behind the scenes and into the spotlight marks a new era in their collaborative journey, offering a glimpse into the artistry and innovation that fuel their designs. With a focus on materiality and craftsmanship, Sally and Jason continue to push the boundaries of lighting design through a distinctive lens, inspired by their unique backgrounds.
New Zealand-born Sally is an accomplished weaver, textile artist, and set designer who draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of human history and a strong connection to her Danish and Viking forebears. Her work is an exploration of storytelling through fiber, metal, and light, where each thread becomes a conduit for narrative and emotion. Sally’s approach marries ancient techniques with contemporary vision, resulting in pieces that are at once timeless and avant-garde.
Jason, an award-winning lighting designer, has illuminated some of the most iconic venues in the world, from the 5-star Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas to the intimate performances at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. He brings architectural precision and a sculptor’s imagination to the studio’s creations with designs characterized by their bold geometries and innovative use of materials. Jason’s background in theater lighting design makes his work for the studio a constant dialogue between the tangible and the conceptual.
Top to bottom: The architecturally-inspired Alabaster product suite: Faro Floor Lamp, Cento Dining Chandelier; Prima Wall Sconces |
A Distinctive Creative Vision
Each Thomas Cooper Studio piece is a carefully curated blend of combined elements, from the delicate artisanship of hand-blown glass to the rugged beauty of carved marble. The studio’s approach to design is a balance of light and shadow, and form and function.
Thomas Cooper Studio’s designs are more than just functional objects; they are artful collectibles that tell a story and stir emotion. “Design is meant to make you feel something,” says Sally Thomas Cooper. “We want to immerse you in an experience that connects feeling and mood with material and touch; we want to evoke a memory, a sense of wonder and comfort.” The pinnacle of the creative process for each piece is to see it applied and lived with, a space illuminated and transformed.
The alluringly elegant Rock Crystal collection: Dromo Sconces |
A Focus on Forgotten Materials and Techniques
Thomas Cooper Studio is dedicated to rediscovering and reimagining forgotten or often-overlooked materials and techniques. Through their meticulous craftsmanship, they bring a fresh perspective to heritage materials like heat-formed, mouth-blown, and flash-cracked glass; carved marble, alabaster, and natural stone; cast and hand-patinaed bronze; and hand-polished, leaded crystal. Each piece that emerges from the atelier is meticulously designed and crafted in Los Angeles by skilled artisans, builders, and designers. Additionally, the studio offers customization options tailored to specific settings, allowing clients to personalize their lighting choices. Beyond the honest materials, the collection showcases a deep understanding of sculptural expression. A balance between shine and shade, density and delicacy, form and function results in a collection that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
Clockwise from far left: Verdon Pendant; Dromo Sconce; Revet Duo Wall Sconce; Revet Wall Sconce |
A New Era of Lighting
So…the question: why now? The answer: authenticity! “We believe that in an era dominated by mass-produced options, discerning interior designers and their clients are, more and more, seeking unique, handcrafted designs,” says Sally. “Our approach is rooted in the understanding that true artistry and individuality echo deeply, offering a personalized touch that transforms spaces into truly exceptional environments.” “When you choose one of our pieces, you’re not simply acquiring a light source; you’re investing in a piece of art that will become a focal point and conversation starter, adding a touch of soul and personality to your environment,” adds Jason.
A Closer Look at the Natural Alabaster Designs |
Clockwise from far left: Faro Floor Lamp; Cento Dining Chandelier; Prima Wall Sconce; Cento Small Pendant |
The Legacy
In focusing on using the highest quality materials, fabrication and timeless design, Thomas Cooper Studio creates and manufactures with a purpose — with intent. Each piece is meant to last 50–100 years or more, and carries a legacy, becoming a tangible link to the past. Enduring materials like brass and bronze are designed to stand the test of time, both aesthetically and structurally. Beyond their longevity, legacy pieces often embody intricate details and a sense of craftsmanship that is difficult to replicate in modern manufacturing. These unique characteristics make each piece distinctive, imbued with a sense of history and tradition — a symbol of enduring style.
What’s Now, What’s Next
Thomas Cooper Studio’s recently introduced “Alabaster” and “Rock Crystals” product suites showcase the brand’s mastery of form, texture, and light; a reimagination of historical elements and materials with a fresh perspective. Dating back to early civilizations, alabaster has long been preferred for its semi-opaque quality that gives sculptures and decorative pieces carved from the material a unique warmth and delicateness. This lies at the heart of the mathematically-minded design behind the Alabaster product suite, whose latest additions — Cento, Faro, and Prima — meld geometric silhouettes of intersecting planes, ellipses, and cubes with the natural elements of alabaster to create architecturally inspired organic designs.
Honoring the legacy, mythologies and traditions behind one of the world’s most abundant and mystical natural materials, Rock Crystals pays homage to the ancient allure of quartz crystal, once believed to be supercooled ice by the Greeks and treasured as a talisman by the Egyptians. Three new distinctive collections within the suite — Dromo, Revet, and Verdon — present the illuminated unions of fresh, modern profiles with the essence of ancient, natural materials.
Left: A passion project: Sally in her studio with The Sagas Right: The intricate handwoven art of The Sagas |
Coming soon are new additions to the brand’s Thomas Cooper Projects line, in which the designers explore sculpture and art; “The Sagas,” a triptych of woven art pieces, delves into human storytelling and ancestral connections. A passion project inspired by ancient Viking mythology, The Sagas highlights women’s often unsung roles, with “Signy” from the Völsunga saga as the central figure, symbolizing hidden female power throughout history.
Inspired by Viking burial rites, Jason’s initial sketches lend depth to the ancestral theme, while the choice of materials — wool for earthly connections, silk for transcendence, and brass for strength — adds layers of symbolic meaning. The edges of the frame ”belt,” made of hand-formed solid brass, feature perforations and embroidery with symbols of protection and fertility.
Each piece is brought to life through Sally’s skillful weaving techniques, showcasing her ability to infuse warmth and texture by weaving colorful threads through a carefully constructed framework. The act of weaving — and the creative process itself — becomes a metaphor for the creation of narrative and the passage of time.
The Sagas collection invites viewers to contemplate the inherited legacies that shape us and our responsibility to future generations. It challenges us to consider the stories that define our lives and how they will echo through time, offering a reflection on our connection to both the past and the future. “By looking to the past, we can discover timeless materials, principles, and pieces of history that continue to resonate today,” says Sally. “As we continue to grow and evolve, examine and create, Jason and I hope not only to continue to create legacy pieces but to also create a lasting legacy that will inspire the future.”
Thomas Cooper Studio products are available through Incollect with customization available upon request.
Discover More From Thomas Cooper Studio on Incollect