All kinds of wonderful can be discovered on the Golborne Road. Traditional Moroccan fish grills stand side by side with eclectic antiques shops, adaptogenic coffee stops and Portuguese patisseries. For those looking for more reasons to meander this way, there is also now Eva Menz's magical gallery of light, Atelier001.

With quiet elegance, vibrant creativity and exceptional handcrafted designs, this is Atelier 001’s first showroom. Just a block away from founder Eva Menz’s design studio, Atelier 001’s designs are as much of the bohemian neighbourhood, drawing on layers of history, art, and design, as they are of the more fantastical corners of the imagination.

Eva, renowned illumination artist and sculptor, founded Atelier 001 in 2019 with an aim to make exquisite lighting objects more accessible to a larger audience. Its objects are all hand made in individual Ateliers, each one unique (hence 001) and a celebration of artisanship. With strong, longstanding relationships with her collaborators, Eva is also able to support an incredible network of unique makers in what are often dying trades – something she takes extremely seriously. “We pride ourselves in the strong and cherished relationships we have with our makers,” says Eva. “Some are family businesses we have known and worked with for many years – these are incredible individuals with important skills, and we have a great mutual respect which allows us to do more and better work together too.”

So far there are three main lighting collections, Cosmic - inspired by planet-like shapes and textures; Liquid – using glass and colour in a play on the ripples and reflections on water; and the newest, Carnival - recalling a world of masquerades, imaginative play, and circus traditions. With upcoming collections, says Eva, Atelier 001 will be collaborating increasingly with other designers and talent from various fields. The aim is to build an expanding network of creatives and makers and move beyond lighting into furniture (there is already a table) and sculpture.

So often the most interesting creative work is that which sits in the blurry lines between disciplines, that which refuses to be boxed in a category, and Menz’s designs are no exception. In the intersection of art, craftsmanship and theatre, the sconces, pendants and standing lamps of Atelier 001 provide an inviting entry point to the more epic chandeliers and installation she creates bespoke for private and corporate clients.

The journey of establishing and maintaining Atelier 001 has been far from simple. Balancing a commitment to artisanal craftsmanship with the demands of scaling up production has required delicate navigation. Eva’s insistence on hand-finishing and the highest standards of material quality, not to mention ensuring sustainable practices and ethical sourcing amid fluctuating global markets, has sometimes presented challenges in meeting demand, yet she remains unfazed and committed.

 Menz’s approach to design is deeply personal, rooted in her belief that light is so much more than a practical utility – it is an experience, a mood, an art form with the power to evoke emotions and enhance well-being. Atelier 001’s new Carnivale Collection is a case in point, a tribute to the art of transformation. Each piece, like a character in an imaginary performance troupe, blends shapes and finishes that seem to spontaneously dance in dialogue.

Inspired by Eva’s love of immersive theatre and performance arts, her creative references for Carnivale range from James Thierrée’s surreal circus performances and childhood memories of the German Circus Roncalli, to Steven Shainberg’s film Fur, and Tim Walker’s dreamlike photography. Literature, too, she cites Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus as a favourite novel. In a divine palette of patinas: the deep blue ‘Callisto,’ a refined, hand-brushed bronze, the high-polished ‘Aurum’ brass, and an elegantly subdued white patina from the ‘Blanc’ series they are crafted with a mixture of glass and metal, each element carefully hand-finished and – yes – all kinds of wonderful.