larger flower pendant in natural rattan
£420 · High level
A rattan uplighter that also flickers light out through the gaps in the weave. Glorious over a table.
light talks
no. 01
inside the colourful world of Sean Symington
Traditional, but never too serious.
Colourful, collected and full of character — rooms that feel as though they have evolved over decades, rather than been decorated all at once.
Light Talks is our series on the interior designers we love: their own photography, their philosophy, and the advice they give clients every week. First up, Sean — originally from Toronto, now designing on both sides of the Atlantic.
Photography by Sean Symington Design · seansymington.com
in Sean’s words
Swipe through the story — his rooms, and the thinking behind them.
“Start with something you love as a jumping-off point, whether it’s a piece of art or a beautiful rug, and pull the colours from that.”
Sean Symington
“A lot of people start with the paint colour, and when that happens it often makes things more difficult than looking at the big picture.”
Sean Symington
“We love low level lighting because we think it’s the most flattering. We love it on your face rather than above.”
Sean Symington
“I want people to feel energised by their spaces but also cocooned — as though the room has been there a thousand years and doesn’t feel decorated.”
Sean Symington
the interview
how would you describe your style?
Traditional with a fresh whimsy. Rooted in traditional interior design, but we love to add colour, mix in contemporary detailing and not take ourselves too seriously. Antiques and an eclectic mix of eras — the twills, the frills, the pops of colour.
how do you make a home feel personal?
We incorporate our clients’ own pieces as much as possible, and always opt to reupholster or reimagine rather than buy new. We might not love the lamp base a client already owns, but adding a new Pooky shade brings it new life and makes it feel like it’s been there for years.
where should you spend, and where can you save?
Invest in good window treatments and upholstery fabrics, and save on antiques — a bamboo side table, a brown chest of drawers. Save on accessories and furniture, but invest in the bones of the room.
what makes a good lighting scheme?
We always do lighting plans, and we use a combination of architectural and decorative lighting. What’s key is that lighting is warm and flattering. High level for the ceilings, mid level for wall lights, low level for table lamps.
six pieces Sean keeps coming back to
Six pieces from the range that suit the way Sean plans a room — one for each level of the scheme, plus a shade to give a base you already own a new life.
Bronte rechargeable bookshelf light in brass
£120 · Mid level
Polished brass and rechargeable, so shelves and alcoves can be lit wherever they are — no cable to hide.
Nellie table lamp in a green glaze
£125 · Low level
A neat, elegant shape with a long slender neck. The green glaze sits beautifully against a brown antique.
larger Rattle table lamp in natural cane
£135 · Low level
Simple, curvy and comforting, with a polished brass top and a swivel joint that keeps the shade level.
Murphy table lamp in yellow
£130 · Low level
Sensible, with a joyous spattering of madness. A truly elegant shape, and the glaze is to die for.
35cm ikat spot shade by GP & J Baker
£98 · The finishing touch
A seven-colour ikat print from our GP & J Baker collaboration, finished with two-tone taping.
Sean, on film
Two minutes with Sean on the thinking behind the rooms, filmed at his studio.
“We’re a bit purist. We don’t love concealed lighting and we’re not big on LED strip lights.”
“if it’s a lamp, let it be a lamp.”
Rather than hiding the light source, Sean uses it to bring colour, pattern and character into a room.
01
Three heights, every room. High level for the ceilings, mid level for wall lights, low level for table lamps.
02
Ask what the light is for. Ambient, accent or task — a kitchen and a sitting room need different things.
03
Layer the levels. Separate switches and dimmers per level, so one room can be bright at breakfast and low in the evening.
buying for a project?
Sean buys from us as a trade customer. If you work in interiors, a Pooky trade account gets you trade pricing across the range, plus a real person to talk sizes, finishes and bespoke shades through with.
Light Talks no. 01 · Sean’s edit
Shop the edit