Our Story
Grafton Bell exists to reawaken the emotional power of design, crafting sculptural lighting that speaks through form, not excess. Rooted in British craft and artistic intent, Grafton Bell create enduring objects of clarity and feeling for those who live with depth, not display.
Industrial Heritage
Grafton Bell is a sculptural lighting brand defined by its commitment to craft, form, and artistic intent. Born from ambition and shaped by the hands-on process of designer Tom Bell, the brand offers a distinctive alternative to the function-driven lighting landscape.
Rooted in empathy for materials and manufacturing, every piece is made in the UK, avoiding mass-market trends in favour of deeply considered, emotionally resonant objects. These are not simply lights, but sculptural forms designed to elicit feeling.
“Grafton Bell is more than a lighting brand. It is a statement in form, a return to beauty, and a new voice in British design.”
- Tom Bell, Founder, Grafton Bell
Our Philosophy
At the core of it:
Grafton Bell products are minimalist in decoration but rich in shape and presence. Influenced by mid-century modernism and space-age design, each piece is stripped back to its purest silhouette. Materials are chosen for their integrity: brass, aluminium, chrome, and plain white glass. Visual noise is avoided in favour of clarity, symmetry, and restraint.
The ambition is not only to craft beautiful objects, but to build a coherent and iconic design language that becomes synonymous with the name Grafton Bell.
Every piece is:
• Conscientiously designed – considered from concept through to production
• Emotionally resonant – designed to elicit feeling, not just perform a task
• Visually clean – no visual noise, no extraneous detailing
• Sculptural – beautiful forms, rooted in mid-century references
Stylistic influences:
• Mid-century modern
• Beauty over utility
• Restrained materials palette: brass, aluminium, chrome, plain white glass
• Colour and texture references: teakwood, concrete, natural hardwood
Our Workshop
Grafton Bell stands proudly in Birmingham, a city long celebrated as the “workshop of the world.” The factory is rooted in the city’s rich industrial heritage, where foundries, metalworkers, and craftsmen once fuelled the beating heart of British manufacturing. Birmingham’s legacy of skill, innovation, and design excellence is carried forward in Grafton Bell’s lighting, which bridges the past and the present: each piece is a testament to the endurance of craft in a city defined by making.
Every light that leaves the Grafton Bell workshop is made by hand, embracing the imperfections and individuality that only true craftsmanship can deliver. This commitment to making, rather than merely producing, ensures that no two pieces are ever quite the same, each one bears the hallmarks of patience, precision, and the human touch.
At the heart of the factory is a skilled workforce, whose experience spans traditional metalworking, finishing, and contemporary design practices. These craftsmen and women are more than employees; they are custodians of a heritage of making that Birmingham has fostered for centuries. Their expertise, honed over years of dedicated work, ensures that Grafton Bell lighting is not just functional, but enduring, characterful, and worthy of its industrial lineage.
The Cupolla Collection
Mid-century elegance meets modern precision. A hand-spun crown pairs with a smooth opal glass shade for a refined, balanced silhouette. The opal diffuser casts a warm, even glow, complemented by a cool satin nickel finish. Made in the UK for lasting quality and timeless style.
