Canada’s trusted source for architectural and specialty lighting solutions, Magic Lite, is proud to announce that renown Ontario artist, René Petitjean created a spectacular, one-of-a-kind light chandelier, utilizing Tokistar Lighting from Magic Lite.

René Petitjean has been creating spectacular wrought iron artwork since the late 1980s. Working closely with a select group of architects and designers, he has used his creative skills and fascination for this medium to produce a wide range of pieces ranging from custom tables and light fixtures to large sculptures – some of which take over a year to complete. To date he has
produced over a hundred custom chandeliers and counting.

Recently, René was commissioned to design and build a very special chandelier to grace the foyer of a large, custom home in Collingwood, Ontario. “The owner asked me to create an elegant rat’s nest” says Petitjean. He quickly went to work on the concept studying patterns of branch growth in trees to come up with a design that incorporated the symmetry of nature while
giving the appearance of randomness. The result is an impressive 7’ X 5’ chandelier which took over a month to complete.

“As the material for the fixture had to be forged, heated to 1300°C and contoured with a hammer, we used Schedule 80 thick-walled pipe. After the sticks were formed, they were descaled in acid to shiny metal then patinaed to darken and clear coated.”

When it came to choose the appropriate light source for the fixture, Petitjean wanted to use LEDs as they are energy efficient, cool and long lasting. He also liked the safety of low voltage class 2 lighting. Enter Barry Burton of Burton Lighting Network representing Magic Lite’s products in the central / Northern Ontario region. “Barry knew exactly what to suggest given the design and desired function of the fixture” says René.

As the fixture was designed for effect as much as function, Tokistar TLED Light String Lamps were used at the tip of each branch. Low voltage 18AWG wire was fished through each branch to power the individual .1W lamps; 3000K colour temperature was used to provide a neutral – warm ambience in the foyer. The low voltage LED driver powering the lamps is located in the ceiling above the fixture.

The owner, along with Interior Designer Marion Melbourne of Marion Melbourne Interiors, and architect Jim Campbell of Rockside Campbell Design, were thrilled with the end result. “It is a WOW piece that provides the ambient light in the foyer while providing adequate light to illuminate an 8’ X 10’ painting that hangs there.”

To learn more about René Petitjean and his work visit renepetitjean.com

For information about Magic Lite products, please contact us at lights@magiclite.com or by
phone at 1-888-945-5483.