All About Lighting
Selecting lighting for an entire home can seem daunting at first. There are so many styles and sizes to choose from. Shapes, textures, materials, and colors all impact the way we view lighting in a space. The color temperature of a bulb is also an important element, as anyone who has ‘run to Home Depot’ for a quick light bulb replacement knows. (Cue two painful hours of reviewing thousands of bulb options).
Here’s where we start when looking at lighting a home:
PURPOSE…
Initially we evaluate the purpose for the light fixture. Are we highlighting a particular piece of art? Do we need focused light in an office? Do we need a light that enhances an entire living room? Or is the lighting more aesthetic; something pretty to light up a hallway?
WHAT WE LOOK FOR…
Most architects and designers agree – layered lighting is key when designing a home. Ambient lighting adds layers that accent the space, while task lighting is directional and assists with highlighting areas that require specifically brighter light for more focused work. Ambient lighting can come from many sources, including recessed can fixtures with dimmable light levels table lamps with lower bulb wattage and lumens (the quantity of light that a bulb puts out). Other sources of ambient lighting can include under counter lighting, wall sconces, dimmable chandeliers, and track lighting. It’s not a surprise, given all of these variables, that the lighting plan requires detailed review and multiple revisions before finalizing an entire home.
STYLES…
Recessed fixtures, track lighting, pendants, wall sconces, lamps, accent lighting, task lighting, ceiling lighting, ambient lighting, and so on. Layered lighting is the key to a harmonious space.
OUR FAVORITES AND WHY…
Elegant Sconces
We love to use elegant and beautiful scones in bathrooms. They immediately elevate the room. This gemstone inspired fixture adds beautiful ambient lighting while adding a lovely touch of elegance.
Statement Lanterns
Statement lanterns are a beautiful way to create an inviting entry or elegant hallway. These lanterns, in a fabulous celadon green painted finish, are accented with soft brass interior details. We loved the color so much that we searched for a fabric that would accent the lanterns while adding beauty to the space, making this entry one of our favorites!
Island Centerpiece
Your kitchen island is the perfect focal point for statement lighting! While the island is a place that needs direct task lighting (so you can see what you’re prepping) it’s also the perfect location for a jaw dropping fixture. You can achieve both with correctly placed recessed lighting surrounding a chandelier with sufficient light output.
Intriguing lamps
Bedside lamps are not just functional, they offer the opportunity to add shape, texture, and visual interest to a room. This lamp is one of our all time favorites, featuring sea-glass colored spheres separated by brass accents with a simple linen shade. The perfect accent in this home with coastal views in a bed with a back drop of seagrass wallpaper.
helpful Tips
#1 Integrate dimmers
In areas of the home where you find yourself adjusting the lighting like the living room or kitchen, incorporating dimmers can be very useful. This reduces energy and saves you money too. Ambient lighting serves multiple purposes throughout the day.
#2 placement
Lighting should lead the eye to a particular place. Think about a dining room, the light fixture should be placed above the table for everyone to gather. In a hallway the light should lead a person in a direction. In a living room placing more indirect light to create a more relaxed feel. Same thing with a bedroom, creating a soft intimate atmosphere with light makes it more inviting.
#3 Start big
Picking your bigger lighting elements first helps lead the way for the smaller accessorizing fixtures that compliment the overall design.
#4 Scale
Our favorite cheat for determining size is based on the overall dimensions of the room. Take the width and the length of the room and add those numbers together for a preliminary dimension to help start your search. For example, a room that measures 14 feet wide X 18 feet long would require a chandelier that is approximately 32 inches in diameter. Of course, ceiling height and overall room style impact these selections dramatically, but we find this calculation helpful in initial determinations to make sure a fixture isn’t way too small or much too big.
When you work with a professional interior design team, we carefully select lighting that suits the architectural and aesthetic style of the home. We select the finishes that work within the space, and the scale of the room in relation to ceiling heights and overall furniture layout.