The success of Holly Hunt — both the designer and her eponymous empire of textile and furnishings showrooms — is based on instinct.
The Chicago-based Hunt trusts her own tastes, reflected in her signature lines of elegant, low-key furniture, lighting and fabrics. She also trusts her judgment about the wants of the buying public, and this savvy sensibility has allowed her to cultivate and market the work of a range of contemporary talents, from minimalists like Christian Liaigre to eccentrics like Christian Astuguevieille.
Hunt is a design world impresario — a prominent arbiter for stylish modern interiors and known foremost for fabrics, seating designs and light fixtures. Modern sophistication, attention to detail, and a desire to cultivate talented contemporary designers are at the crux of the company’s success.
Born in central Texas to schoolteacher parents, Hunt was a creative girl who made her own clothes and bickered with her mother about decor. After graduating from Texas Tech, Hunt worked as department-store buyer and costume jewelry designer before marrying and helping her husband build a multimillion dollar transport company. Her hobby was decorating their homes. After the two divorced, Hunt purchased a showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart in 1983. Within 10 years, she was winning applause for her understated designs, her lavish showroom parties and her eye for rising design stars. Liaigre was her first discovery. Correctly surmising that his pared-down furniture in dark wood would play well in the United States in the aftermath of the go-go ’80s, Hunt began marketing the French designer’s work in 1994.
Over the subsequent years Hunt has added a half-dozen showrooms and, following her own style barometer, has taken on other fresh talents, including glassmaker Alison Berger, French designer Christophe Pillet and couturier Ralph Rucci, making a foray into home design.
One constant over that time have been the aesthetics of Hunt’s own designs. Her fabrics — the first choice of many dealers when re-upholstering vintage seating — are understated, mixing muted colors and updates of classic patterns. Her furniture is simple and refined. As you will see on 1stDibs, the name Holly Hunt represents a sense of timelessness and sophistication.
Wonderful Pair Regency Wrought Iron Gold Gilt Large Glass Lanterns Chandeliers
By HOLLY HUNT
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Regency Style Wrought Iron With Gold Gilt Trim Large Curved Glass Lantern Chandeliers Each With 4 Internal Candelabra Lights, Purchased From Holly Hunt. Ac...
Wrought Iron
$3,791
H 47 in Dm 13.2 in
Antique & Large Size Gothic Revival Wrought Iron & Transparent Glass Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, top quality made antique pendant in the Gothic style. If you are a collector of rare and ancient looking Gothic antiques then this large size and possibly one of a kind pendant could be flying your way soon. With antique light fixtures as one of our specialities, we know how rare Gothic lanterns are and to have found one of this age, size, beauty and quality more than made our day. Also, because this all hand-crafted specimen is, except for the glass, completely original and in superb condition. What makes this stylishly blackened specimen stand out from the other Gothic lights that we have sold over the years, is the thickness of the forged wrought iron parts and its relatively clean-lined design. The forged iron is thick and strong and that too is why this large lantern light...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$1,970
H 31 in Dm 16 in
Large French Mid-Century Wrought Iron Lantern / Pendant / Chandelier, Poillerat
Located in New York, NY
A Timeless, French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical hand-wrought iron lantern chandelier, pendant or lantern in the the style of Gilbert Poillerat, France, circa 1940.
Wrought Iron
Pair of Hollywood Regency Style Gilt Brass and Glass Lanterns
Located in New York, NY
A significant pair of Hollywood Regency-style gilt brass and glass lanterns. Each lantern is formed with a hexagonal frame constructed from polished gilt brass, enclosing six glass p...
Brass
Wrought Iron Lantern
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice lantern is made of wrought iron. This is a French work. Circa 1950
Wrought Iron
$1,776
H 32.67 in W 15.74 in D 15.74 in
Large Wrought Iron Lantern with Granite Glass, France, 1940s Design
Located in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FR
A large wrought iron lantern and granite glass. France 1940s
Wrought Iron
Large French Wrought Iron Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1950s French wrought iron lantern with gilt details. 5 interior lights. Measurements: Height 36" Diameter 25".
Regency Hall Lantern, Large
Located in Westwood, NJ
Regency hall lantern. This classic lantern is based on a 19th-century six-sided original. Superbly cast, it demonstrates a range of techniques, fr...
Brass
Large French Wrought Iron lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1950's French wrought iron lantern with beveled glass panels. Measurements: Height of body: 46" Minimumdrop: 49" Length/width: 28" Diagonal: 34"
Wrought Iron
Gilt Wrought Iron Chinoiserie Style Chandelier with Glass Geisha
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant chandelier with scrolled arms and leaves and unusual frosted crystal candleholders and central figure in the form of a Japanese geisha, circa 1920. Total height with the cha...
Brass
Pair of Wrought Iron Lanterns, Sold Individually
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1940s Italian wrought iron lanterns with interior lights. Sold individually. Measurements: Height (minimum drop) 29" ...
Metal
Pair of Large French Wrought Iron Lanterns, Sold Individually
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French circa 1950s wrought iron lanterns with six interior lights. Sold individually. Measurements: Height 50" Diameter (at widest) 25".
Wrought Iron
Large French Wrought Iron Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A large French six-light wrought iron chandelier. Beautifully crafted iron work and nice old patina. More photos available upon request. Measures: Diameter 80 cm. Height 80 cm. ...
Wrought Iron
Wonderful French Regency Wrought Iron Gold Gilt Large Glass Lantern Chandelier
By HOLLY HUNT
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Regency Style Wrought Iron With Gold Gilt Trim Large Curved Glass Lantern Chandelier With 5 Internal Candelabra Lights, Purchased From Holly Hunt. Accompanied By C...
Wrought Iron
Holly Hunt Four Light Chandelier Diameter of Base Overall
By HOLLY HUNT
Located in Buchanan, MI
A Holly Hunt four-light chandelier. Measures: Diameter of base 19 inches overall.
Bronze