The Stella is a pendant lantern that’s designed to be looked at – admired, even – and for well over a decade now it has been lighting up hallways, dining rooms and sitting rooms in homes all over the place. Here’s how it became one of the best-loved and most enduring stars of the Pooky collection…
Pooky founder Rohan Blacker is a bit of a design magpie. He’s forever picking up ideas from everywhere – old buildings, antique markets, bits of Victoriana, the occasional Moroccan lantern – and occasionally those influences collide in one happy burst of inspiration.
The Stella pendant comes from that place…It takes the traditional star-shaped lantern, which has appeared in various forms for centuries, and gives it a solid, splendid interpretation in antiqued brass and clear glass.
Pooky didn’t invent the star-shaped lantern, true… but we did set out to make a really good one.
Stellar geometry
The Stella is built around a clever bit of geometric craftsmanship: a brass framework holding pointed glass panels that form a symmetrical star.
Even when it isn’t switched on, it’s almost like a big piece of jewelry in a room, catching the light and drawing the eye... And when the bulb is on, the lantern really is special..
“The pattern of light it creates on the ceiling is beautiful and although unique it does not overpower the space.” — Sarah T, Pooky customer
It’s the sort of light guests notice when they first walk into a room.
Built properly
Another thing customers mention again and again is how solid the Stella feels. Star lanterns are common enough these days, but plenty of them look lovely in pictures and then feel disappointingly flimsy when they arrive. Not so the Stella, which has real chunkiness and a tip-top finish.
“There are numerous star pendants out there – what appealed to me about the Pooky option was the high quality design and finish." — Julia P
The brass framework is sturdy, the glass panels are neatly fitted and the whole lantern has a reassuring sense of weight to it.
The moment it arrives
For some reason, the Stella makes a particularly good first impression. Perhaps it’s because the online pictures can’t quite convey the lovely feel of the thing – its reassuring solidity, the crisp geometry of the star, and the satisfying sense that it’s been made properly.
“I’d had my eye on this style of light for ages… when it arrived I was absolutely delighted.” — Rowan S
“I distinctly remember jumping around in excitement when it arrived.” — Jessica H
Quite a few Stella owners mention exactly this moment. Once it’s up and glowing away, the Stella tends to get plenty of attention from visitors too.
“I have received so many compliments from guests already.” — Sarah T
Which is probably the fate of any good star lantern – people look up, notice it, and say something nice about it.
The Stella grows
The original Stella has a diameter and height of around 11 inches – a nicely balanced size for most rooms.
But over the years it became clear that some spaces were asking for something larger, so the Stella family grew.
First came the larger version (17 inches), which works beautifully in taller hallways and stairwells. Then the giant Stella arrived – a striking lantern at around 22 inches high and 20 inches wide.
Lots of customers even find themselves wanting more than one.
“We loved our huge Stella pendant in the hall so much that we bought her smaller sister for the landing.” — Penny T
Why it’s still here
The Stella has been part of the Pooky collection for many years now, and it still feels as distinctive as the day it first appeared.
Part of that is the timeless appeal of the star lantern itself – a form that has been lighting homes for centuries. But the other part is simply getting the details right: good materials, good proportions and build quality that stands up to everyday life.
“I thought something like this would cost thousands – but it’s beautifully made and surprisingly affordable.” — Aisling M
Do that well and a design tends to last. Which is why the Stella is still happily shining away, as much a star as it ever was.
See the Stella in all its glory here.
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