Page 81 - Lighting Magazine July 2018

What does Varaluz mean?
RH: It’s a blend of several things. In Latin, “Vara” means “steel rod,” but also stands for “variety.” I thought that was important because I didn’t want to get stuck doing any one style. “Luz” means “lights” and it’s also the name of my business partner’s mom. She was an incredible supporter of me from the very beginning, so the decision to incorporate her name was an easy one.
What do you value most
in design?
RH: It must possess that
“Wow” factor. It needs to make someone say, “Wow, who would
have thought to do that?” or, “Wow, that’s awesome!”
Varaluz is headquartered in Las Vegas. Does the
“City of Lights” in uence your
designs?
RH: De nitely. I pull a lot of inspiration
from this city, and I’m not just talking about
the glitz and glamour from The Strip. I like the
ugly side of Vegas as well. That’s the side no
one wants to talk about, but there’s tremendous
beauty in it.
What is your current design obsession?
RH: ’70s glam. Think shiny fabrics, bright colors, sequins, and feathers
all coming together in
a bold, yet surprisingly cohesive, way. There’s an interesting shift happening
in design, as the Mid-
Century look gets revamped with eccentric touches and adventure. It’s funny because I didn’t care for that look as a kid and now I’m creating it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked down at my sketches and thought, “Holy cow, this
is so ’70s!”
What sets Varaluz apart from other lighting companies?
RH: Our core values. We are eco-friendly, handcrafted,
and inspiring. For 11 years I’ve struggled with a tagline, but that’s it really. We embody those values in everything we do, and I think it makes us unique. More than 90 percent of our xtures are handmade. Our materials, and the process we use to
make them, are as environmentally friendly as possible.
With such a diverse, evolving range of aesthetics, what lies ahead for Varaluz?
RH: Hopefully, more of the same. I love what I do and I want to keep doing it.
info@varaluz.com | 702·792·6900
VARALUZ.COM
elegance
RON HENDERSON STARTED VARALUZ LIGHTING IN 2006
WITH A DESIRE TO CREATE THE MOST LASTING AND REWARDING
LIGHTING FIXTURES AVAILABLE.
SUSTAINABLE
I LIKE TAKING SUBTLE RISKS WITH MY DESIGNS, LIKE LAYERING ELEMENTS OF GLASS TO FORM
AN UNEXPECTED CHANDELIER OR NESTLING TEARDROP CRYSTALS INSIDE A PENDANT