With the splendor of Laguna Beach, California as their backyard, childhood friends Nick Sheridan, Dan Wacholder, and Bret Englander were inspired from a young age by their coastal community.
“Naturally, we made art, rebuilt boats, experimented launching our own mini businesses, and we explored the West Coast together,” they said. “Looking back, it’s now clear that our childhood projects and experiments grew into our best adventure yet: building Cerno.”
Today, the Pacific Ocean and California mountains continue to inspire Cerno’s team as they create their American-made, intentional, understated architectural and decorative lighting—designed and built right in California. With a reputation for fine craftsmanship and authentic materials, Cerno’s luminaires and fixtures often feature natural elements as focal points.
Cerno
– Verb (Latin); To resolve, distinguish, decide, sift, determine, to perceive.
Meet the founders and their vision for Cerno in the video below:
“We started Cerno because we love to design and build things. Our passion for design and manufacturing is fueled by a shared belief in the infinite power of human creativity. We believe that each finished product that we produce is a celebration of the inventive minds and industrious hands that brought it to life.”
Knowing the company’s roots, it won’t surprise you that sustainability is core to Cerno’s ethos.
“Growing up surrounded by the beauty of nature, we know we have a responsibility to help preserve it,” the founders explain.
That starts with responsibly sourcing raw materials and building sustainable manufacturing practices by using as much of a product’s raw yield to limit waste.
Moreover, Cerno builds its products to last—not to end up in a landfill. Since the start, they’ve adopted a continuous improvement mindset of sustainably using resources, knowing there are always chances to do more and do better.
We’re proud to represent Cerno and see its forward-thinking approach to design and manufacturing manifested in commercial lighting projects across Colorado.
“We have been with Cerno from the beginning and have witnessed them grow into what they are today. It’s been exciting seeing them design and develop so many great products over the years, but the best part is that they still make everything in California and almost have a ‘local’ feel here in Colorado.
Cerno engages with us and the community on new products and really feel like a part of the TLA family. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with the addition of Siemon & Salazar. Siemon & Salazar’s unique hand-blown vessels are a great compliment to the way Cerno works with wood and metal; I’m excited to see where they take it!”
— Ryan Stewart, TLA Principal
There’s a lot to love about the founders’ intentions and what’s going on behind the scenes at Cerno, but these designs could certainly speak for themselves. Here are some of our favorite products to inspire you as you think about your next project.
1. Spero sconce & pendant
The Spero Sconce and Spero Pendant illustrate a minimalist mindset without sacrificing design details that define the fixture.
Pronounced metal accents join the leather strap to the shade, adding a balanced contrast between the different elements. The bottom aperture allows the delivery of ample light while shielding the rest of the space from glare.
We’ve seen Spero shine in bar, conference room, dining room, hallway, office, and restaurant settings.
Color options
Canopy color matches cord.
- black / black leather (B)
- brass / brown leather (R)
- distressed brass / black leather (D)
- white / tan leather (W)
Bulb options
- PAR20 LED bulb included – 2700 K, 90CRI, 40 degree flood (-27)
- Option to choose no bulb included (00)
Lamping
- Lamping: 1x E26 base, PAR20 lamp, 20 W max
2. Volo flush mount and pendant
The handcrafted Volo flush mount and Volo pendant are a celebration of natural materials. The solid hardwood, brass finish, and aluminum showcase the purposeful design that went into each detail. The indirect LED light source emits light of beautiful quality.
Color and finish options
- Noir (N)
- Blanc (B)
- Cava (C)
- Deux (D)
Lamping
- 2700K LED (27)
- 3000K LED (30)
- 3500K LED (35)
- 4000K LED (40)
Power option
- AC Input Voltage Range: 120-277 V, 120 V input: TRIAC, ELV & 0-10 V dimmable, 240 & 277 V input: only 0-10 V dimmable (P1)
Volo is an excellent choice for applications like a bar, conference room, dining room, entryway, kitchen island, living room, office, or restaurant.
3. Tempus sconce
The Tempus Sconce draws inspiration from nature’s beautiful designs. The rounded profile, rounded edges, and ample but smooth diffuse light exudes warmth. The solid wood body highlights the elegance of the wood grain.
The design is dynamic, working well in traditional, transitional, or sleek modern environments.
Material and finish options
Body
- walnut (CM-001) (W)
- dark stained walnut (CM-002) (D)
- white washed oak (CM-095) (O)
Lamping
- 2700 K (27)
- 3000 K (30)
- 3500 K (35)
- 4000 K (40)
Driver
- AC Input Voltage Range: 120-277 V; 120 V input: TRIAC, ELV & 0-10 V dimmable; 240 & 277 V input: only 0-10 V dimmable (P1)
We love choosing Tempus for a subtle but statement-making sconce in a bar, conference room, dining room, hallway, office, or restaurant.
4. Torrey ceiling mount & pendant
Torrey ceiling mount, pendant, and sconce are timeless spun metal fixtures named after the beloved California beach known for its rocky cliffs and pine forest. With the light engine delicately settled in its center, Torrey delivers a soft gradient of light with no chance for glare.
Material and finish options
Exterior shade finish
- Textured Black
- Textured White
- Brushed Aluminum
- Brushed Brass
- Distressed Brass
Interior shade finish
- Textured White
- Brushed Aluminum
- Brushed Brass
- Distressed Brass
Light engine disc
- Walnut
- Dark Stained Walnut
- White Washed
- Textured Black
- Textured White
- Brushed Aluminum
- Brushed Brass
- Distressed Brass
Lamping
- 2700 K (27)
- 3000 K (30)
- 3500 K (35)
- 4000 K (40)
Driver
120-277 V AC Input; 0-10 V dimming down to 1% with dim to off; LED driver integrated into fixture.
5. Tersus Indoor & Outdoor sconce
The Tersus is an example of the simplest form unlocking a myriad of design possibilities. The long-reaching light pattern cast on the wall and the numerous finishes and materials offered make the Tersus well-versed for all kinds of compositions and applications.
Tersus Indoor sconce
Wood body
- walnut (CM-001) (W)
- dark stained walnut (CM-002) (D)
- maple (CM-005) (M)
- white washed oak (CM-095) (O)
Optional face material
- brushed aluminum (CM-012) (A)
- brushed rose gold (CM-046) (G)
- brushed brass (CM-047) (R)
- carrara marble (CM-078) (C)
- none (leave blank) ()
Lamping
- 2700 K LED (27)
- 3500 K LED (35)
Driver
- AC Input Voltage Range: 120-277 V 120 V input: TRIAC, ELV & 0-10 V dimmable 240 & 277 V input: only 0-10 V dimmable (P1)
We suggest choosing the Tersus for a bathroom, bedroom, closet, corridor, hallway, living room, or lobby.
Tersus Outdoor sconce
Cerno’s Tersus Outdoor sconce is an existing design that we modified to withstand the elements. The materials and components were meticulously designed and engineered to comply and pass UL’s wet location requirements.
Shade material
- white concrete (CM-104) (W)
- black concrete (CM-105) (B)
- marine grade brushed stainless steel (CM-102) (S)
- antique bronze (CM-103) (R)
- textured black powdercoat (CM-099) (K)
- textured white powdercoat (CM-100) (Y)
- matte grey powdercoat (CM-101) (G)
Lamping
- 2700 K (27)
- 3000 K (30)
- 3500 K (35)
- 4000 K (40)
Light distribution and driver options
- Uplight & Downlight Standard output – 1130 Lumens (source) 120 V input: TRIAC, ELV & 0-10 V dimmable 240 & 277 V input: only 0-10 V dimmable (P1)
- Uplight & Downlight 120-277 V AC input voltage, 540 Lumens (source), Nondimmable (PR)
- Downlight Only – Dark Sky Compliant Standard output – 1130 Lumens (source) 120 V input: TRIAC, ELV & 0-10 V dimmable 240 & 277 V input: only 0-10 V dimmable (D1)
- Downlight Only – Dark Sky Compliant 120-277 V AC input voltage, 540 Lumens (source), Nondimmable (DR)
Alongside countless outdoor applications, Tersus is great for a bar, bathroom, bedroom, bedside, closet, conference room, entryway, great room, kitchen island, living room, lobby, and lobby office.