I was sworn to secrecy until now about a special commission to create a pair of art deco-style glass lamps for the winner of Interior Design Masters tv series, that has just finished on BBC2 and will soon be shown on Netflix.

The popular series followed 10 aspiring interior designers as they faced a complex range of design challenges in an eight-week competition to win a real design contract from the prestigious Dorsett Shepherd’s Bush Hotel in London.

In each episode, former editor-in-chief at Elle Decoration UK and renowned style guru, Michelle Ogundehin, and a guest judge, assessed the creations of the designers until antiques trader Cassie Nicholas was awarded the prize in the final.

The brief was to redesign the hotel’s impressive Jin Bar. As you can see in the photo, the building was originally an art deco cinema, with the long bar space surrounded by numerous floors, giving it the feel of an art deco cruise ship.

Cassie was not allowed to change the flooring or wood panelling, but her design flair was allowed free rein on the rest. She presented two imaginative concepts to the team at the Dorsett and they selected her classic design, inspired by the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz.

From there, Cassie set about turning her vision into reality, using a combination of sumptuous fabrics and furniture in muted greens. She contacted me to make a pair of unique standard lamps that would be focal points in the design.

Cassie was great to work with and as friendly in person as she came across in the series. It was wonderful to be invited to create these unique pieces for her and the hotel. I love collaborating with people to design something perfect for them – whether it is an interiors piece or a stained glass window.

We discussed what Cassie wanted to achieve and then I sent her sketches and samples that were approved with the client. I made the lamps using the same traditional techniques as were used in the original Tiffany lamps over 100 years ago.

Cassie said they were her favourite pieces from the design, adding, “I love a Tiffany lamp but wanted to add something a touch more contemporary looking, but also entirely green with a touch of the glamour of old-school Hollywood. These pieces really helped to tie it all together.”

I think you’ll agree that she created a timeless, practical and beautiful space that acknowledged the building’s heritage and could be adapted to different functions.

Do take a look at Cassie’s website.

Photography by and © Cassie Nicholas