Formed in 1974, EJ Harper & Co Ltd is a distributor of high quality specialist cables, dimmer controls and lighting products. The company has grown from its initial premises in a garage in Bangor to its own site at 34 Montgomery Road, from which it operates today. Alongside a new customer interactive lighting showroom at its premises, other major accomplishments include supplying the data wiring and associated components to large projects throughout Northern Ireland like the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Metropolitan College and Bombardier. Commercial lighting projects include the Merchant Hotel Group, the Horatio Group and Marcus Warde Bar & Restaurant. Prestigious, high-end projects are just one more area that EJ Harper excels in. The company was recently involved in a complex lighting project for a client that had very specific requirements; to create and illuminate a retro antique interior that would complement a modern lifestyle and facilities within a contemporary, domestic residence in Groomsport for the clients, Barbara and Nicky.
IMPRESSIVE
David Murphy Design was tasked with the job and his research brought him and his client to EJ Harper’s impressive lighting showroom and to Flexform their associated lighting component and cable manufacturer. Almost 100% of the requirements they proposed could be met from stock while the main lighting feature in the property was created from EJ Harper’s re-purposed steel cable drum ends. The untreated rust texture was entirely appropriate, complementing the exposed brick and iron featured within the decor. This provided a low cost, imaginative lighting solution with maximum impact. Dimmers control the 16 x 4 watt globe lamps consuming the equivalent of one 60 watt tungsten bulb. Separately switched bulkheads and shaded lamps are installed to offer alternative options if required. Products used on this project included Calex lamps, Flexform cable, Moretti light fittings, Lilley and Co accessories, Varilight dimming controls and ELD LED tape and controls. All lighting is LED mains voltage and LED low voltage. The look that the client wanted was all about foregoing traditional internal renders in favour of a vintage, industrial appearance. The necessary plastered finished ceilings and walls acted as creative surfaces for dramatic statement lighting, supplied by EJ Harper.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
First impressions upon entering the property’s main foyer is that of surprise and astonishment at the gold ceiling installation of over 70 polished conduit box mounted lamps, interconnected into a surface lattice pattern. The control of the tubular 3.5 watt Calex bulbs is by remote or wall mounted dimmers, with the maximum connected load being 245 watts nominally operated at 30% of output. In the kitchen area, modern facilities seamlessly merge with vintage retro, achieving a harmony of design combining services and lighting within commercial metal containment. Essential general and task lighting is unobtrusively provided by LED downlighting whilst large industrial enamel shades spread even illumination to the work surface. A glow of ceiling accent lighting is colour controlled to warm effect when adjusted remotely. Continuity of design of the lighting theme is maintained throughout the building. It is a one off and a novel approach, demanding confidence of client and designer to achieve their expression of industrial modernism lighting ambience. EJ Harper’s extensive selection of lighting products made designer David Murphy’s job much easier. Since its establishment over 40 years ago, the company has made every effort to move with the times and adapt to an ever- changing industry. And the winner is… The stellar work carried out by EJ Harper and David Murphy Design on Barbara and Nicky’s house in Donaghadee was recognised at Northern Ireland’s Electrical Awards 2019.
EJ Harper & Co Ltd, 1, 34 Montgomery Rd, Castlereagh, Belfast BT6 9HL
T: 0044 (0)28 9079 2155
W: www.cablespecialists.co.uk
