Martyn Lawrence Bullard Lighting: The Collection Guide
Martyn Lawrence Bullard lighting for Corbett Lighting is a collection of chandeliers, pendants and sconces that borrows from a wide mix of eras, cultures and design movements, finished mostly in vintage brass, gold leaf and soft black. Families such as Hopper, Broomley, Melrose, Tropicale, Everley, Utopia and Aries range from glamorous, multi-light statement pieces to compact single-light pendants and sconces, and suit eclectic, glamorous and collected interiors.
Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a Los Angeles-based interior designer known for rooms that mix eras and influences with confidence: Hollywood glamour next to global textiles, antiques beside bold contemporary pieces. His collection for Corbett Lighting carries that range into fixtures designed to be the jewelry of a room. This guide walks through the main families, how to size them, which finishes to choose, and how to use them without letting the room tip into costume.
What defines Martyn Lawrence Bullard lighting?
- Statement scale. Several families come in large, many-light versions, such as the Hopper 12-Light at 41" wide and the Tropicale 12-Light at 48" wide, meant to be the focal point of a dining room, foyer or double-height space.
- Warm, luxurious finishes. Vintage brass is the collection's backbone, alongside gold leaf (Tropicale), vintage polished brass with deep bronze (Aries) and soft black (Utopia, Melrose).
- Eclectic references. The designs pull from different eras and destinations, so a single fixture can feel tropical, Art Deco or mid-century depending on the room around it.
- Compact companions. Each big statement is balanced by smaller pieces, such as the Hopper sconce, Broomley and Everley pendants and the Utopia sconce, so you can carry the look into halls, baths and bedrooms.
The key collections at a glance
Sizes below come from the product specifications of pieces currently in stock.
| Family | Fixture types | Finish | Example sizes | Where it shines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hopper | Chandeliers, sconce | Vintage brass | 9-Light 32W x 25H; 12-Light 41W x 25H; sconce 4.5W x 10H | Dining rooms, foyers, flanking mirrors |
| Tropicale | Multi-light chandeliers | Gold leaf | 8-Light 26.5W x 22H; 12-Light 48W x 28H | Dining rooms, powder rooms, glamorous bedrooms |
| Melrose | Multi-light pendants | Vintage brass, soft black | 4-Light 19W x 26H; 6-Light 22W x 32.5H | Entries, stair halls, breakfast tables |
| Broomley | Single-light pendants | Vintage brass | 10W x 15H; 14W x 20H | Kitchen islands, hallways, bedside pendants |
| Everley | Single-light pendant | Vintage brass | 13.75W x 29H | Islands, bars, narrow entries |
| Utopia | Chandelier, sconce | Soft black | 5-Light 52.75W x 41H; sconce 6W x 11.75H | Great rooms, modern-organic spaces |
| Aries | 30-light chandelier | Vintage polished brass with deep bronze | 38W x 26.5H | Formal dining rooms, entry halls |
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How do you size a statement chandelier from the collection?
Because these pieces are made to be noticed, getting scale right matters more than usual.
- Over a dining table: choose a width about one-half to two-thirds of the table's width and hang it 30 to 36 inches above the top. The Hopper 9-Light at 32" wide suits a table about 48" wide or wider; the Tropicale 8-Light at 26.5" suits a round table of 42" to 54".
- In a foyer or living room: add the room's length and width in feet and use that as the diameter in inches. A 14 x 16 foot foyer suggests about 30 inches. Keep at least 7 feet of clearance beneath any fixture people walk under.
- In double-height spaces: larger pieces like the Utopia 5-Light (52.75W x 41H) or Tropicale 12-Light (48W) have the presence to hold a tall volume; center the bottom of the fixture roughly at second-floor level or at least 7 feet above the floor.
For the full formula and a room-size chart, see our chandelier size guide.
Vintage brass, gold leaf or soft black?
Vintage brass is the most versatile, warm but not shiny, and easy to pair with antique furniture, walnut and velvet. Gold leaf has more glow and reflects candle-warm light beautifully, which makes Tropicale ideal for evening rooms like dining rooms and powder rooms. Soft black grounds a room and works in modern, organic or industrial spaces; the Utopia chandelier pairs it with acacia wood shades for a warmer, more organic effect. Vintage polished brass with deep bronze on the Aries gives a two-tone effect with more contrast.
Whatever the finish, keep bulbs at 2700K and dim generously. Multi-light fixtures look richest at low output, with the metal catching light rather than the bulbs glaring.
How to style a Martyn Lawrence Bullard fixture without overdoing it
- Let one piece lead. In most rooms, a single statement chandelier or pendant is enough. Support it with quieter sconces and lamps.
- Echo the finish, not the shape. Repeat vintage brass in picture frames, a mirror or cabinet hardware rather than adding a second elaborate fixture.
- Give it breathing room. Statement fixtures need simple ceilings and uncluttered sightlines; avoid placing them right beside busy crown moldings or ceiling fans.
- Balance with texture. Linen, plaster, natural wood and wool keep a gilded fixture from feeling formal.
- Layer the light. Chandeliers set the mood; lamps and sconces do the reading and task work. Our guide on layering lighting like a designer explains how.
If you are planning a dining room around one of these pieces, our dining room lighting ideas cover sconces, buffet lamps and dimming.
Where to use the collection, room by room
- Dining room: the natural home for a Hopper or Aries chandelier, hung 30 to 36 inches above the table, with Hopper sconces on the sideboard wall and everything on dimmers.
- Entry and stair hall: the Melrose 6-Light's vertical proportions (22W x 32.5H) fill the height of a two-story entry without crowding the width; keep the bottom at least 7 feet above the floor.
- Kitchen: a pair of Broomley or Everley pendants over an island adds a jewelry-like accent to an otherwise practical room. Hang them 30 to 36 inches above the counter.
- Powder room: small rooms are the best place to be bold. A Tropicale 8-Light in gold leaf or a pair of Hopper sconces beside the mirror turns a few square feet into the most memorable room in the house.
- Bedroom: single Broomley pendants hung at each side of the bed free up nightstand space; position the bottom of the shade about 20 to 24 inches above the nightstand top.
- Great room: the Utopia 5-Light's 52.75" width holds its own under a vaulted or double-height ceiling where smaller fixtures disappear.
Featured in this room: Martyn Lawrence Bullard pieces to know
Hopper 9-Light Chandelier in Vintage Brass is the dining-room anchor, 32W x 25H, sized for a generous table and dramatic enough to set the tone for the whole room.
Hopper 1-Light Wall Sconce in Vintage Brass repeats the chandelier's language at a compact 4.5W x 10H, perfect flanking a mirror above a sideboard.
Tropicale 8-Light Chandelier in Gold Leaf (26.5W x 22H) brings glamour to a breakfast room, powder room or bedroom where a smaller footprint is needed.
Melrose 6-Light Pendant in Vintage Brass and Soft Black (22W x 32.5H) is taller than it is wide, which suits entries and stair halls with higher ceilings.
Broomley 1-Light Pendant in Vintage Brass (10W x 15H) is a compact option for a pair over a kitchen island or a hallway.
Utopia 1-Light Wall Sconce in Soft Black (6W x 11.75H) grounds a modern or organic room and pairs well with warmer brass pieces.
Browse more chandeliers and wall lights. Designers sourcing statement pieces can ask about our Design Trade Program, and our New York and Los Angeles showrooms are a good place to see finishes side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Martyn Lawrence Bullard?
Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a Los Angeles-based interior designer known for eclectic, glamorous interiors that mix periods, cultures and styles. His lighting collection for Corbett Lighting reflects that range, with statement chandeliers, pendants and sconces in finishes such as vintage brass, gold leaf and soft black.
Who makes Martyn Lawrence Bullard lighting?
The Martyn Lawrence Bullard lighting featured here is made by Corbett Lighting. The collection includes families such as Hopper, Tropicale, Melrose, Broomley, Everley, Utopia and Aries, ranging from compact single-light pendants and sconces to large multi-light chandeliers, so you can carry one look from a foyer statement piece to smaller fixtures in halls, baths and bedrooms.
What size Hopper chandelier should I choose?
The Hopper comes in a 9-light version at 32 inches wide and a 12-light version at 41 inches wide. Over a dining table, choose a width about one-half to two-thirds of the table's width. The 9-light suits tables about 48 inches wide, while the 12-light suits larger tables and bigger rooms.
Is Martyn Lawrence Bullard lighting too bold for a traditional home?
Not if you let one piece lead. A single statement fixture in vintage brass reads as a collected, antique-like accent in traditional rooms. Support it with quieter sconces and lamps in the same metal, and balance it with natural textures like linen, wood and plaster.
What bulbs look best in gold leaf or brass chandeliers?
Use warm 2700K bulbs with a CRI of 90 or higher and put the fixture on a dimmer. Warm, dimmed light lets gold leaf and brass glow and reduces glare from exposed bulbs. Candelabra LED bulbs work well in multi-light fixtures, as long as they are rated as dimmable.
Designing a whole room?
Our lighting specialists help size and pair fixtures every day, and interior designers and architects can join the Design Trade Program. Browse more ideas in Inspiration.
