Southforker Stories: Seeing the Light with Helen Gifford

·10 min·1 clip

Sag Harbor lighting designer Helen Gifford reveals why she calls chandeliers the 'jewelry of a room' and how she got her start in upscale restaurants.

Emily Toy introduces the episode as part of South Forker Stories, focusing on a story by Lauren Parker about lighting designer Helen Gifford. Gifford is the founder of Helen Built, an internationally acclaimed lighting design firm based in Sag Harbor. She began her career in the hospitality industry, observing lighting in upscale restaurants, which shaped her view of lighting as the 'jewelry of a room.' Her educational background includes classes at Rhode Island School of Design, American University in Paris, and Parsons School of Design, where a furniture project led to her Urchin collection. Gifford's designs have attracted high-profile clients like Gwyneth Paltrow and Meg Ryan, with installations in locations such as the Aria Penthouse Suites in Las Vegas and W Hotels. She describes her aesthetic as 'London Beach,' influenced by her time in London and Borneo. Gifford emphasizes the importance of integrating lighting with existing decor and art, noting that it requires a curated approach to avoid overshadowing other elements. Her work is divided into three series: Urchin, inspired by Dada art and sea urchins; Concord, inspired by minimalist artist Donald Judd and featuring colored lucite panels; and Vidro, inspired by nature and glassblower Dale Chihuly. She collaborates with a local Hamptons team, including a master welder and glassblower, to produce her pieces. Gifford uses photos and physical samples to help clients visualize her lighting in their spaces. She is expanding into wallpaper and textiles, influenced by English color saturation, and currently experiments with Lucite bases for lighter, floating designs. The episode concludes with Gifford discussing trends toward larger-scale fixtures and the importance of statement pieces in lighting design.

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