Interviews
Cortney Bishop’s Debut Lighting Collection: An Inside Look at Her Creative Vision
Left to right: King Table Lamp, Bohikit Floor Lamp, Tybee Table Lamp, Capers Table Lamp
Cortney Bishop, the Principal and Creative Director of Cortney Bishop Design, has made waves in the design world with her unique approach to interiors. Known for her modern organic style and bold design statements, Cortney has now brought her design expertise to the world of lighting with her debut collection for Hudson Valley Lighting. With an eye for artisan craft and a passion for contrast, this collection is designed to transform your space. We sat down with Cortney to dive deeper into her inspiration, process, and how lighting can elevate any interior.
Q: Defining Your Design Style: What’s the Core of Your Aesthetic?
A: My design style is rooted in the things I love—artisan craft, organic texture, bold statements, and architectural forms. It’s a modern organic approach that embraces asymmetry, unexpected pairings, and materials that feel natural and authentic. I’m drawn to the tension between raw and refined, structured and free-spirited, old-world and contemporary.
Travel, music, art, and vintage finds are constant sources of inspiration, shaping my eye for pattern, color, and scale. I love how an unexpected mix—whether a bohemian textile paired with a sculptural form or a bold color alongside a weathered patina—creates depth and intrigue. Lighting, in particular, plays a critical role in my designs, setting the mood and adding another layer of artistry.
This philosophy is woven into the collection I developed with Hudson Valley Lighting. Each piece balances art and function—thoughtfully designed, carefully crafted, and infused with soul. The collection explores contrast: soft curves against angular lines, natural textures alongside polished finishes, and retro influences reinterpreted with a modern edge. It’s about lighting that doesn’t just illuminate a space but transforms it.
George Pendant
Q: Bringing Your Lighting Collection to Life: How Did It Come to Be?
A: This collection was born out of a desire to create something lighthearted, whimsical, and artisan-driven for HVL. It embodies quirky bohemian charm while remaining rooted in refined sophistication.
The design process was deeply personal—I drew inspiration from my experiences, design philosophy, and a sense of playfulness I wanted to infuse into the designs. Overscaled forms, unexpected proportions, and thoughtful materials bring a sense of whimsy and surprise to each piece. Warm, tactile finishes like aged brass and bamboo, paired with materials such as ceramic and hand-forged elements, evoke a handcrafted, timeless quality.
The collection reflects ideas I’ve been incorporating into my recent projects, while also embracing new, forward-thinking concepts I see gaining traction in the design world.
The family names woven into the collection draw from places of deep significance to me around Charleston. For example, Bohicket—a very special piece of waterfront land—is where I’m building my dream, forever home in collaboration with architect Jeffrey Dungan.
Q: Lighting with Purpose: How Do You Want Consumers to Feel About Your Collection?
A: I want this collection to spark creativity and joy. Each fixture is an invitation to play, to explore design, and to add a fresh perspective to your space. The pieces are meant to inspire a sense of freedom and fun, encouraging consumers to express their individuality and embrace unexpected elements in their homes.
Q: Lighting as Art: How Does It Contribute to an Interior?
A: Lighting is everything—it’s foundational to curating the atmosphere of a home. A thoughtfully curated lighting plan elevates a space, layering warmth, depth, and mood. In many ways, lighting is its own art form that shapes how you feel and interact with your environment.
Pewley Pendant
Q: Styling Your Lighting: How Do You Recommend Consumers Style Your Fixtures?
A: Each lighting family is designed with its own unique personality. These fixtures can stand alone as bold statement pieces or work seamlessly within a cohesive design narrative.
Above all, these designs are meant to inspire flexibility and creativity—style them in ways that reflect your own personality and point of view. I encourage consumers to mix and match, creating contrast and interest by pairing the fixtures with other elements in their space.
Sullivan Wall Sconce
With her debut lighting collection for Hudson Valley Lighting, Cortney Bishop invites you to explore the beauty of organic textures, artisan craft, and bold design statements. Whether you're designing a new space or refreshing an existing one, these pieces bring a sense of freedom, creativity, and effortless cool into any home.
Explore Cortney Bishop X HVL here.