About less'n'more
Philosophy and background
Since 2001
A journey through 25 years of light.
From a workbench in the basement to a manufactory in Cologne. Who we are, what drives us and how our lamps are made.
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2001
The workbench
It all starts in the basement.
In the basement of a shared flat, at an old workbench, Kai Steffens tinkers with his own designs. This is where he lays the foundation for his own design label: less’n’more.
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Leave out what isn’t needed, so there is more room for good design. The name is an attitude
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The early years
Light tools for industry.
Kai Steffens starts out developing light for industry. Precise, robust, made for everyday use. This attitude still shapes every lamp today.
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2008
The breakthrough
ATHENE. The first focusable LED lamp.
Discover ATHENEWith ATHENE, the move into the home succeeds: an LED lamp whose light can be focused. The head is turned in the Sauerland and finished in Cologne.
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2009
Award-winning
red dot award and Lamp of the Year.
ATHENE wins several awards. For the young label from the Rhineland, it is confirmation that light can be precise and beautiful at the same time.
red dot awardLamp of the YearGerman Federal Design PrizeDesignPlus -
2010
Projects
Light for places where people work.
ATHENE moves into offices and workplaces, for example at the Solar Decathlon. Function first, aesthetics as the result.
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2013
Out into the world
From Westerstede to Copenhagen.
Discover ZEUSThe lamps go travelling: ZEUS at the Hotel Scandic in Copenhagen, ATHENE at the Kromerei restaurant in Westerstede.
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2014
New shapes
YLUX and the stage.
Discover YLUXYLUX adds a system lamp with 360° light. At trade fairs, in schools such as in St. Gallen, and in spaces that need precise light.
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Why not?
Timeless shapes with #love.
Our lamps don’t follow short-lived trends; they are built for a long life. The design is measured by its function and doesn’t try to blend into the market segment.
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2020
A new chapter
the next less’n’more.
About our productionA new manufactory, new energy. The parts are turned and milled in the Sauerland and assembled by hand in Cologne.
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The Rhineland
Proudly from Cologne.
Our products are assembled by hand in our manufactory. Anything we don’t make ourselves is produced within 100 km.
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Designers
Grows with your space: DNA.
Discover DNAWith DNA by Hopf & Wortmann, a single element becomes a whole family: from one globe up to 24 points of light.
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Clients
Light for brands, airports and universities.
Today our lamps work in offices, airports, universities and restaurants.
PorscheRheinmetallVodafoneIstanbul AirportBrussels AirportUniversity of MünsterLeiden UniversityMr. WashGrillador -
Sustainable
Responsibility.
Every lamp should last a long time. And if something ever stops working, the part can be replaced.
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2026
Today
25 years of light from Cologne.
A small team, a manufactory in Cologne and a showroom at Scheidtweilerstraße 79. Every lamp is made after you order.
25Years of experience200,000+Lamps sold100Retailers
Find your lamp.
Every lamp is assembled by hand in Cologne after you order.
The faces behind the brand
Each one unique, and all of us in it with heart.
Cologne expert in sayings & poetry
Martin
Head of the lighting gang
Kai
Chief Meme & Social Manager
Marla
Specialist in brilliant connections
Thorsten
Backstage manager for team spirit
Petrus
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