Portfolio

As we approach 20 years in the trade of coppersmithing and lantern making, we are amazed as we look back on the projects we have been blessed to be a part of. While our work is installed in residential and commercial locations around the globe, it is our hometown of Charleston, South Carolina where the majority of our lanterns and lights can be found. We take great pride in carrying on the tradition of creating bespoke handmade lanterns for individual spaces, and the gift of keeping that craft alive in Charleston has been a motivating aspect of Khalima Lights from Day One. Below is a sampling of our work spanning historic homes, businesses, and new construction in Charleston and its surrounding areas.

State Street
Charleston, South Carolina

When we received the commission to design and build lights for this long-time law office turned residence, the new owner, who just so happens to be a dear friend of ours and the possessor of the most melodious Southern accent you’ve ever heard, gave us just one request, “Make me something beautiful!”. For an artist, there are no sweeter words you could hear! We designed a “pocket” lantern that tucks close to the wall at the front entry, trimmed with brass and copper details to give it depth and character. At the back of the traditional row house a walled garden space was created for privacy that features a small gas lantern at the door, cinched up close to the overhang. We passed the injunction along to Dubois Metalworks who designed the unique hanging yoke with scroll work and made sure the drop of the light did not exceed the allotted space.

Legare Street
Charleston, South Carolina

This massive project spanned the course of 2 years. Working alongside renowned preservation architect, Glenn Keyes, and acclaimed designer, Michael Shewan, we created 4 distinct lantern designs, 2 of which repeat in different scales, across 14 lanterns for the property overall. What was particularly special about this project was the opportunity to design not just the lanterns, but also the wrought iron brackets which we had locally made by Dubois Metalworks. Executed by Gochnauer Construction, the historic renovation project was completed in 2022. We are beyond grateful to have our work incorporated into such a beautifully curated space located on one of Charleston’s most notable streets, just a few doors down from the famous Sword Gate House.

Prioleau Street
Charleston, South Carolina

A replica of the lantern gracing the entrance of the historic Edmondston-Alston House on Charelston’s East Battery, this electric version, nestled into the scrollwork arch of a Dubois Metalworks iron gate, lights one of the narrow residential streets in the old wharf district leading to Waterfront Park.

City Gallery Penthouse
Charleston, South Carolina

Sitting atop the City Gallery at Waterfront Park is a private apartment with arguably the most pristine view in the Charleston. From the balcony, one can see such notable landmarks as the Ravenel Bridge, the USS Yorktown, and the Pineapple Fountain. Waterfront Park’s hardscape around the fountain informed the details of our design, which incorporates circles and quarter-circles into the windows of the lantern on all sides.

Brasserie La Banque
Charleston, South Carolina

Located on the corner of Broad and East Bay Streets, this French restaurant in the South of Broad neighborhood is housed in what was originally the State Bank of South Carolina built in 1853. Working with designer, Gil Evans, we made Parisian style unlacquered brass lamps to mount the full length of the front bar as well as more modern influenced lamps for the banquets in the beautiful back room.

Waterfront Farm House
Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina

Found along the banks of the Leadenwah Creek, this farmhouse residence built by Gochnauer Construction harmonizes seamlessly with its rural sea island setting. The homeowners had taken note of some light fixtures they admired in their travels over the years and showed us photos of what inspired them. We designed this pair of electric lanterns for their front entry and three unique pendant chandeliers for their outdoor patio living space.

East Bay Street
Charleston, South Carolina

The Anne Boone House, located at 47 East Bay Street near Charleston’s Battery Walk is a pre-Revolutionary home of significant historical note. The home underwent an extensive renovation under the supervision of Glenn Keyes in 2016 and we were commissioned to make a pair of lanterns for the entry. Not wanting to detract from the homes seasoned exterior, we patinated these lanterns with an organic sulphur mixture to darken the copper from the start and allow nature to take it the rest of the way.

Birdsong
Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina

One of our first commissions for bespoke lanterns, Birdsong was hands down our favorite and most memorable project. Walking into this home that pristinely evokes the grace and beauty of bygone era architecture, you would never guess that it had only just been built in the early 2000’s. Working with Glenn Keyes and Amelia Handegan, we sketched the most beautiful lanterns we could imagine and they are, in our opinion, still the most lovely of all we have ever made to this day. At the front entry overlooking the water is a grand scale 6-sided pendant, crowned by handmade repousse river birch leaves and finished off with a brass beaded bottom. Two smaller scale pendants of the same design light porches on either side of the home. A wall mount domed lantern with ribbed glass illuminates the back porch side entry.