The foundation of CTO Lighting is meticulous craftsmanship, applied to the finest materials.
When co-founder Chris Turner, working as an engineer at Arup, first encountered lighting design, he became fascinated. From concept to design to prototype to production--and every step in between--the journey new lights must take before they enter the market captured his interest, as well as that of his wife, Clare Turner.
Drawing on Clare's experience dealing with the business of style--gained from her background in the fashion industry--Clare and Chris blended engineering and fashion and founded CTO Lighting in 1998.
The pair determined that CTO would be, first and foremost, known for exceptional quality and craftsmanship. They were determined that production would remain local and thus within their ability to oversee it. Indeed, when they later bought the factory in which their lights were produced, the staff stayed on, upholding the high standards that were CTO Lighting's trademark.
Materials, likewise, were sourced locally as much as possible and, where such materials weren't available--or not available to the Turners' exacting standards--Chris and Clare hunted down the best. Alabaster from the Aragon region of Spain, marble and blown glass from Italy, and their own signature satin brass all contribute to CTO's lights being of the highest quality.
