OUR STORY

RTO Lighting offers fixtures designed and handcrafted by founder Robert True Ogden and his small team of artists and makers based in Philadelphia. Robert is inspired by found objects and utilizes these materials to create sculptural lighting designed as objects of interest. The studio’s offerings are elevated far beyond their functionality, demanding attention with bold and discernible forms. In addition to producing original designs, Robert and his studio work directly with interior designers and architects on custom solutions for high-end residential and commercial projects.

ROBERT TRUE OGDEN

Robert Ogden is the creative visionary and Principal Designer behind RTO Lighting and Co-Owner of Lostine. Robert designs collectible and lasting heirloom pieces that create an elevated design moment in any space with captivating details and striking forms. His innovative designs are achieved by combining practical mechanics with an adaptable approach led by the inherent qualities of his materials and the essence of light. 

Since his childhood in New Orleans, Robert enjoyed finding and collecting unique objects and reworking them into functional objets d’art. With an insatiable curiosity and an eye for utility, Robert’s autodidactic approach is a well of endless creativity. His long-time practice of finding and repurposing objects evolved from a passion project into a deeper interest in how decorative lighting has the power to transform a space. Robert established his Philadelphia-based design studio RTO Lighting in 2014 to bring what he calls “couture lighting” to the market, offering intricately made fixtures with unmatched attention to detail handmade by a talented group of artisans.    

His ongoing quest for inspiring objects led Robert to antiquing across the country where he met his wife and creative counterpart, Natalie Page. Together the couple are the Co-Owners of Lostine, the product design studio and marketplace offering American modern lighting and homewares collaboratively designed by the husband-and wife duo as well as Robert’s independent designs for RTO Lighting. The couple’s shared passion for discovery is furthered by design-led travels during which they scour antique shops around the world for vintage pieces to sell through Lostine and objects that spark inspiration for Robert’s future designs. 

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