Meet the Maker | Crete Studio
CONCRETE MEETS CREATIVITY
Crete Studio designs playful yet refined concrete lighting, handcrafted with care. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Sarah and Nicolas Wilson, the Northern Rivers founders— sharing their inspiration, design process and unique ways of using concrete.
What inspired the creation of Crete Studio, and how did your journey begin?
Originally from New Zealand, we purchased the business over there with the intention of continuing on the previous owners legacy.
(Nicolas) Being an electrician by trade, I noticed a lack of diverse options for concrete lighting. We had a ‘lightbulb’ moment and just got stuck straight into creating concrete lights! We see a real niche in the market for unique, textured, organic and coloured concrete lighting.
What inspirations and influences guide your creative work?
I (Sarah) have always been obsessed with interiors! I’ve been collecting interior magazines since my mid 20’s and tearing out anything that draws my attention, so now I have a big folder full of styling and colour ideas.
What led you to choose concrete as the primary material for your designs? And how has this influenced the forms and textures of the fittings you create?
In its raw state, concrete sparks endless creativity. We have reimagined this material into a refined expression of interior style amidst a concrete lighting market mostly saturated in grey. We’re all about the joy our products bring, turning everyday spaces into something uniquely special. Crete Studio offers a vibrant palette of unique, textured, and organically coloured concrete lighting, alongside custom interior projects to elevate any space.
"The process of designing a new lighting piece is like baking a cake"
1. Design
Each piece starts with a blank canvas of ideas ready to be shaped into organic lines, textures, and colours.
2. Moulding
We then create a mould from silicone based on our idea, this becomes the vessel to hold the concrete mixture.
3. Mixing
We combine dry concrete with chosen colour oxides, adding just the right amount of cold water and ice for the perfect blend.
4. Adding fibres
Glass fibres are scattered throughout, enhancing strength while keeping our lights light and durable.
5. Pouring
The mix is poured into custom moulds, covered in plastic and warm blankets for a cosy set.
6. Curing
After 24 hours, we de-mould and let our creations breathe on netting racks for seven days.
7. Finishing touches
Once cured, each light is cleaned and sealed with a premium finish for lasting beauty.
8. Fit-out
Finally, our registered electrician, Nick, fits each piece on-site, ready to illuminate your space with style.
How do you curate the colour palette for your designs, and what emotions or themes do you aim to evoke through these choices?
We look at trends a little, but to be honest for our first range we just created colours that appeal to us. Our colour choices are influenced by earthy tones from the Northern Rivers landscapes.
What exciting plans or aspirations do you have for the future of Crete Studio as a newly established brand?
We are a husband-and-wife team with two young children, so creating that balance in our business is everything. We are still in the very early stages of Crete Studio so are just really enjoying the joy our lights are bringing to people and their spaces.
We want to push the boundaries of concrete lighting further, right from
the materials used and design methods. Concrete lighting is often stereotyped as grey, masculine and industrial, but we aim to change that perception!
We also want to create more custom lighting designs for architects/interior designers or just anyone who wants to turn a lighting dream into reality.