Designer Spotlight: Marz Designs
We are drawn to lighting that does more than illuminate. We look for pieces that shape atmosphere, define materiality, and sit effortlessly within architecture.
Marz Designs embodies this approach with a quiet confidence - a studio where restraint, craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of light come together to create something enduring.
Founded by Coco Reynolds, Marz Designs approaches lighting not as a final layer, but as an integral part of how a space is experienced. Each piece is considered in its relationship to material, proportion, and the way light settles within an interior.
The Philosophy of Marz Designs: A Contemporary Australian Perspective
For Marz Designs, lighting is never secondary. It is one of the first elements to be resolved - shaping how a space feels as much as how it functions.
This approach is expressed through a restrained design language, where clean, often geometric forms allow materials to lead. Brass, stone, and glass are not applied finishes, but the essence of each piece. When illuminated, they soften and diffuse, creating a gentle, atmospheric presence.
Underpinning this is a distinctly Australian sensibility - an appreciation for natural materials, a preference for clarity over excess, and a sensitivity to how light moves throughout the day. Nothing feels overworked. Each decision, from proportion to finish, is deliberate, allowing the pieces to sit quietly within a space while still holding presence.
The result is lighting that enhances architecture rather than competing with it - designed not just to be seen, but to shape how a space is lived in.
In Conversation with Coco Reynolds
To better understand the thinking behind Marz Designs, we spoke with Coco Reynolds about her approach to lighting, materials and design.
What inspired you to start Marz Designs?
I’d always had the desire to build something of my own, and for a long time, I explored different ideas, but none truly resonated or felt viable. It wasn’t until I began working as an Interior Architect that things really clicked. I noticed a gap in the market: there were plenty of large, statement lighting pieces, but very few options that embraced simplicity while still celebrating craftsmanship and detail.
I felt there was an opportunity to create lighting that complemented a space rather than dominated it, pieces that focused on refined forms, tactile materials, and thoughtful finishes. From there, the Terra Collection was born; now our largest range, combining hand-thrown ceramic shades with precision-machined metals in clean, understated silhouettes. It really set the tone for what we stand for as a brand. Balancing simplicity with material richness and attention to detail.
How does your background in interior design shape your approach to lighting?
My background in interior design has a huge influence on how I approach lighting, because I’ve always seen it as an integral part of a space rather than an afterthought. When you’re designing interiors, you’re constantly thinking about how people move through a space, how materials interact, and how light affects mood and atmosphere, so that perspective naturally carries through into my work.
It means I tend to design lighting with context in mind. I’m always considering scale, proportion, and how a piece will sit within a broader scheme, rather than as a standalone object. I often ask myself when I’m developing a new design if I would install it in my own home, and how it would work within that space.
Ultimately, the goal is to create pieces that feel considered and cohesive within an interior, lighting that enhances the overall environment, both functionally and emotionally, while still holding its own as a beautifully crafted object.
Materiality is such a defining part of your work. How do you select materials for each collection?
Materials are often the starting point for a design, and they frequently dictate the final form, especially when it comes to lighting. I’m really drawn to materials that have a tactile quality, so the selection process is as much about how something feels as it is about how it looks. I tend to work with a restrained palette and focus on exploring it deeply, rather than constantly introducing something new. It’s about understanding how materials behave—how translucent stones diffuse light, how metals reflect it, and how different finishes can subtly shift the overall mood of a piece.
How do you approach simplicity while still creating pieces that feel distinctive?
I think distinctiveness comes from consistency in approach. By working within a clear design language and a restrained palette, each piece builds on the next, so even the simplest forms feel recognisable.
Is there a particular piece or collection that feels especially meaningful to you?
My first foray into lighting design was the Bright Beads pendant collection, an incredibly simple, beaded lighting piece that gained some attention before Marz Designs came to fruition. The construction is rudimentary, but I still feel a strong connection to it. There’s something about the repetition of the beaded forms that I continue to love, and it holds a special place for me because it’s where my interest in lighting really began. It was also the moment I realised there was genuine potential in pursuing it further.
The design was widely imitated, which was a challenging experience at that early stage of my career. But it also became an important turning point; it taught me a great deal about the industry and pushed me to become more resilient and considered in how I approach my work.
In many ways, that experience helped shape the foundation of Marz Designs and my thinking about originality, process, and long-term design integrity.
Considered Approach to Collection Design
Each Marz Designs collection explores material and form with intention, while maintaining a cohesive design language that allows pieces to sit seamlessly together within a project.
Aurelia Collection
A more expressive evolution for the brand, Aurelia introduces fluidity and softness inspired by the movement of moon jellyfish. Stone becomes central, with white and jade onyx paired with cast glass, allowing light to filter through natural veining and texture to create a soft, almost liquid glow.
Bermuda Collection
Defined by a refined architectural silhouette, the Bermuda Wall Light balances structure and softness. A sculptural marble base is paired with a circular element, creating a composition that feels both resolved and quietly expressive. Designed for repetition, it offers a seamless and considered wall application.
This piece is on display in our showroom - we invite you to experience its materiality, scale, and presence in person.
Selene Collection
An exploration of material efficiency and restraint, Selene is crafted from FSC-certified timber offcuts. Each piece carries a quiet sense of purpose, with sculptural forms that feel grounded, tactile, and enduring. It brings warmth and subtle depth to both residential and commercial spaces.
Orb Collection
The Orb Collection distils the Marz philosophy to its most essential form.
Defined by a simple spherical expression, each piece integrates effortlessly within a broader lighting scheme or stands alone with quiet confidence. Soft glass forms diffuse a warm, atmospheric glow — bringing balance, clarity, and cohesion to any space.
Discover Marz Designs at Nook Collections
Marz Designs offers a considered approach to lighting - one that values materiality, atmosphere, and longevity in equal measure.
These are pieces that do not demand attention, but reward it over time.
Explore the collection or book a showroom consultation to experience how light can transform the space.
