Chocolate chain reuses vintage lights
Chocolate drinks chain Knoops is reusing vintage lights from the 1950s in the roll out of its latest stores.
Knoops, pronounced Kuh-noops, comprises 17 stores across London, Cambridge and Oxford and features an array of 22 hot chocolate options.
In the latest outlet, the brand has used a series of vintage lights from specialist supplier Skinflint.
The lights were originally manufactured by AKA Electrics, the state-run umbrella company of the Eastern Bloc, in the 1950s. The conical shades feature a textured finish with a distinctive Bakelite gallery and manufacturer’s labels.
Interior designer Lara Gosling says sustainability a major consideration as well as the aesthetics.
Alongside the vintage pendants are counters and shelving made from Durat, a solid surface mounted material made from post-industrial waste. The menu panelling is made from Eco-Board, an alternative to chipboard, created from agricultural waste with a negative carbon footprint. Store fronts are made from Richlite, a durable material made from recycled paper composite sheets that’s either post-consumer recycled waste or sustainably harvested FSC-Certified paper, with no added dyes.
In 2021,Skinflint introduced its ‘Full Circle’ scheme, which went on to win a prestigious Build Back Better Award.
Under the plan, returned lights are then repaired, restored and recertified by and placed back into the market.
Skinflint supplies bars, restaurants, hotels, workplaces and private homes all over the world with light fittings.
‘The work we do at Skinflint is based on respecting and preserving the heritage of each piece,’ says company co-founder Chris Miller.
Skinflint supplies bars, restaurants, hotels, workplaces and private homes with light fittings.
In recent years, pre-used industrial high bays, pendants and wall lights have become highly fashionable for their ‘retro’ over-engineered appeal.
Skinflint sources them from derelict factories across Europe, refurbishes them and tests them for electrical safety before putting them back on the market.
The company finds lights on sourcing trips across the UK and to former Eastern Bloc countries.
Buildings in which the company sourced lamps include the the former Pirelli warehouse and the Cockenzie Power Station.
Photography: Heiko Prigge
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