Q&A With Buchanan Studio
For the launch of Neo, our latest collaboration, we sat down with Charlotte and Angus Buchanan of Buchanan Studio, alongside our Director, Charlie Bowles, to discuss a partnership rooted in shared values, long-standing admiration, and a deep respect for British craftsmanship.
From a first conversation about art direction to the development of a sculptural lighting collection, the collaboration evolved naturally, shaped by years of mutual influence and a collective love of thoughtful, beautifully made design.
In this Q&A, they reflect on the origins of the project, the inspiration found within our glassmaking workshops, and the ideas that brought the Neotenic collection to life.
THE COLLABORATION
How did this collaboration start?
Charlie: We’ve long admired Buchanan Studio for their distinctive aesthetic and the beautiful way they execute their campaigns. I initially approached them to discuss art direction, but the conversation naturally evolved into a product collaboration. Angus has used our lights on many projects over the years, so it felt like an organic fit.
Angus: We’ve known of O.BTC for years and years, long before Buchanan Studio even began. It’s been part of our lives for a long time. We bought a classic Hector table light for our first flat and have probably used something from Original BTC in every project we’ve done. Lighting is an integral part of our work, so the opportunity to create our own with O.BTC felt truly special.
Charlotte: We share so many values - most importantly, a commitment to British craftsmanship and quality. Both brands are proudly handmade in England, and that shared emphasis on British craft made this collaboration feel like a very natural fit.
We are also both family-owned and run businesses, and that sense of family is very evident in the culture at O.BTC. Everything about O.BTC is personal and authentic, and that spirit has made the partnership wonderfully close, creative and collaborative- exactly the kind of process we love.
THE INSPIRATION
What is the inspiration behind the design?
Angus: We were completely mesmerised by the glassmaking process on the factory tour. It was such an inspiring experience. Watching the craftsman blow and manipulate the glass was incredible. The time, skill and artistry involved is astonishing. We were particularly drawn to the curved shapes - a soft purity of form with the same organic simplicity that we gravitate to in our work. Our furniture has a sculptural quality, and we wanted the lighting to share that same aesthetic language.
Charlotte: The sculptural forms and colour palette feel deeply rooted in our own design DNA and the timeless quality is quintessentially O.BTC. Craftsmanship and versatility are values we share, and together the collection balances both brands’ strengths – contemporary yet classic, bold yet refined.
And how did the drawings become reality?
Charlie: After the factor, Angus and the team shared initial ideas and sketches. From there, we produced renders and 3D-printed samples to review together. The elements that link it back to us are the brass detailing at the top of the shade, the cotton-braided cable, and the clean, refined profile with carefully considered detailing.
THE COLLECTION
How would you characterise the Neotenic collection?
Angus: We always design from the heart - creating pieces we genuinely want to live with ourselves, but that can also find a place in other people’s worlds. We can’t wait to use the collection in our own home, and we’re equally excited to start incorporating the pieces into our design projects. There’s enough variation - in both form and colour - for the lights to work beautifully in almost any setting. The wall lights, for example, are an endlessly useful piece that can be subtle and timeless in the Vanilla finish, or they can become a statement in Strawberry or Chocolate.
The lights are incredibly versatile and practical, yet the hand-blown glass elevates it beyond function – transforming it into something sculptural, almost like a piece of jewellery for the room which is equally beautiful when turned off as it is when illuminated.
Charlie: The Neotenic collection is firmly aimed at design and crafts enthusiasts — people who care about how things are made, who designs them, and who makes them. This range is very special, and it’s something the owner will appreciate for years to come.
FAVOURITE ELEMENTS
What fascinates you about the glass?
Angus: The subtle variations in tone and the way the light diffuses through each glass shade are just beautiful. The colours we’ve chosen are ones we genuinely love. They feature time and again in our work, and we know they complement a wide range of interiors.
Pink is very much a Buchanan Studio signature, so that was a must. The brown is a beautiful complement to the pink – they work so well together, but each can also stand alone. The white is timeless and endlessly useful; it’s subtle yet just as striking.
And there’s a true transformation when the lights are switched on…
Angus: Absolutely! Seeing the finished lights illuminated for the first time was such an exciting moment – the way the colours came alive and the shadows they cast exceeded all our expectations. We couldn’t be more thrilled.
Charlie, is there a detail that you are especially fond of?
Charlie: I love the triangular base on the table and floor lights. For me, that speaks directly to Buchanan Studio. It’s not only the unusual form; it’s the sculptural quality of it. The design takes clear inspiration from Buchanan’s Daydream tables - so unique, so special.
Do you have a favourite classic from the O.BTC range?
Angus: In our current home, we’ve used Hector Pleat wall lights - they sit beautifully within our panelled tongue-and-groove room, adding a layer of texture and detail. The range is so adaptable and versatile that there’s always a piece that works for our projects, no matter the design style.
