When we think of Hollywood, often times we envision a town in lights, brimming with movie and television stars, directors, models and musicians. A little known secret is that Tinseltown also produces amazing designers like Katherine Carter, who, ironically, is also a film and TV producer and director herself. Featured as HomeJelly’s newest HomeJelly Sweet Shop contributor, we are introduced to her new line of hand-crafted, repurposed lighting. I spoke with her about how she thought of using vintage car horns as the vessel for these one-of-a-kind light fixtures. She simply stated, “I love to take raw, organic and untouched antiques and make them into pieces of art.”

Her inspiration? Restaurant decor, of all things. “I’m picky about ambiance – sometimes [it’s] more important than the food,” she admits. I thought this was a fantastic tip. We can observe and take away all kinds of design ideas and get inspired from many different places. I can think of several restaurants here in LA that boast fantastic decor (MB Post, Shore Bar, Laurel Hardware).

We’re seeing a resurgence of old meets new in the world of design, and Katherine has skillfully married two like-era materials, Edison lights and vintage horns, to create a sculptural feature that is also functional. She explains, “Edison style lights transport you back to that era. The hardware is also very moody. I knew I wanted to use as much of the original materials of the horns to go with this new light bulb, so I had to manipulate the back and mount it to sit flush against the wall. Then I had to ask myself, ‘How am I going to attach it…? Oh, I can use an old piece of wood and add even more character to the piece.'” After speaking with Katherine Carter, I am reminded that design is often about discovering…or maybe more accurately, uncovering the possibilities of what can be. If we are open and trusting in our creative process, the results can happily end in “Hollywood-magic”.

Katherine Carter’s Edison Era Lighting

Light of my Life. Price: $1,500, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Light of my Life. Price: $1,500, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Edison. Price: $875, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Edison. Price: $875, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Nostalgia. Price: $1,200, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Nostalgia. Price: $1,200, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Steamer Era. Price: $900, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Steamer Era. Price: $900, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

Steamer Era. Price: $900, designed and hand-crafted by Katherine Carter.

To purchase any of these Katherine Carter designed light features, visit our HomeJelly Sweet Shop!

Photography courtesy of Katherine Carter.