Q&A: Pooky unveils dedicated commercial arm
As Pooky’s growth accelerates and demand for its eclectic lighting designs increases, Chief Creative Officer Jo Plant offers an insight into the UK-based brand’s newest commercial service, Pooky Projects.
Tell us about Pooky and its growth over the last couple of years.
Pooky was founded with a simple belief: lighting should be beautiful, characterful and never boring. We set out to create decorative pieces with personality – thoughtfully made, fairly priced and full of charm. What started as a direct-to-consumer brand known for eclectic lamps and signature lampshades has grown into one of the UK’s best-loved independent lighting brands. Over the past couple of years, that growth has accelerated. We’ve expanded our collections, strengthened our online presence, opened our flagship showroom to bring the brand to life in person and launched in the USA – where we’ve been met with an incredibly enthusiastic response.
As more interior designers, hoteliers and developers began coming to us for larger-scale projects, it became clear that this side of the business deserved its own dedicated focus. That natural evolution led to the launch of Pooky Projects – our commercial division, built to bring Pooky personality to spaces on a bigger stage.
What is Pooky Projects and what led to its launch?
Pooky Projects is our commercial arm – created to bring our decorative flair and technical know-how to projects at scale. For years, we’ve quietly been lighting up restaurants, boutique hotels, show homes and hospitality spaces behind the scenes. As demand grew – especially for larger quantities, custom finishes, unique shade combinations and international specifications – it became clear this side of the business needed its own dedicated focus and expertise. Pooky Projects gives our trade clients the best of both worlds: the structure, technical capability and project management required for commercial delivery, paired with the creativity, flexibility and unmistakable charm that makes Pooky, Pooky.
How will Pooky Projects support the hospitality sector while meeting the needs of different scales, styles and budgets?
Hospitality lighting has to do more than simply look good – it has to perform. Through Pooky Projects, we balance decorative impact with the technical reliability that commercial spaces demand.
We work across a broad spectrum of projects – from intimate boutique restaurants and independent hotels to large-scale developments and multi-site rollouts. Flexibility sits at the heart of what we do, encompassing scalable production to support larger-volume orders; extensive mix-and-match shade and base combinations to suit diverse design schemes; semi-bespoke capabilities for statement pieces or tailored finishes; tiered price points that allow projects to meet budget without losing personality; and dedicated points of contact from concept through to completion.
Whether it’s creating a warm, atmospheric bar setting or supplying lighting for hundreds of guestrooms, we adapt our approach to suit the ambition of the space – always ensuring the end result feels considered, characterful and distinctly Pooky.
What expertise will Pooky offer to ensure seamless delivery?
Every project is supported by a dedicated project manager – a single, consistent point of contact from initial concept right through to installation. We know commercial timelines matter, so communication and coordination are key.
Behind the scenes, our in-house technical team ensures every detail is considered and every specification met. This includes certification guidance for UK and international compliance; custom plug types and voltage configurations; technical drawings, sampling and prototyping; close collaboration with contractors, designers and procurement teams; and tailored delivery solutions – whether phased shipments, palletised distribution, or specific packing requirements for the site.
What makes Pooky’s decorative lighting an ideal choice?
Pooky lighting has always been about personality. And in hospitality, that emotional layer – the way a space feels – is everything. Our decorative pieces are designed to add warmth, character and depth, not just illumination. That’s what makes them work so beautifully in commercial settings.
As such, we pride ourselves on our offerings of:
- Lampshade mastery – Shades are at the heart of what we do. Our expertise in colour, pattern, texture and proportion allows designers to shape atmosphere in a nuanced, layered way.
- Mix and match creativity – The ability to pair bases and shades opens up endless combinations, making it easy to create distinctive looks at scale without everything feeling uniform.
- A complete decorative lighting story – From picture lights and chandeliers to wall lights and outdoor designs, our range allows designers to layer light consistently across a space, creating flow, warmth and a recognisable point of view.
- Rechargeable innovation – Our cordless designs offer flexibility for restaurants, heritage buildings and spaces where wiring simply isn’t practical.
- Materials that matter – From solid brass to hand-finished ceramics and woven fabrics, we prioritise materials that feel substantial, tactile and built to last.
The result is lighting that feels considered and characterful – layered rather than flat, distinctive rather than generic. It’s decorative lighting with presence, designed to elevate a space rather than simply fill it.
What’s next for Pooky?
The next chapter is about thoughtful expansion. For Pooky Projects, that means building stronger partnerships within hospitality and development sectors, expanding our semi-bespoke capabilities and growing internationally. At heart though, the goal remains the same: to bring warmth, individuality and beautifully crafted light to spaces where people gather.
