INSIDER INSIGHT
ILLUMINATING IDEAS AND DESIGN KNOWLEDGE FROM THE EXPERTS
OVERHEAD LIGHTING While overhead lights are often used only occasionally, most designers consider them essential. ‘I use them to bridge the gap between floors and high ceilings,’ says Deborah Bass, founder of Base Interior. ‘Because ceilings are a blank canvas, unlike floors, pendants help to link a whole space together,’ adds designer Lee Broom, who also uses them to zone different areas. While not seen as the most atmospheric light source, they can make a space feel cosier, argues Siobhan Kelly, associate director of David Collins Studio. ‘A ceiling in shadow flattens a room.’
MOOD ENHANCING A good balance of wall, table and floor lamps is comparable to theatre lighting, says Daniel Blaker, creative director of Nulty. ‘Your eyes are drawn to what the stage designer wants you to see; it’s the same in the home,’ he advises. ‘Often, it’s artwork, display shelves or a view.’ The overall effect, says decorator Martin Brudnizki, should be to have depth and interest at various levels. ‘By illuminating the space around you softly, you avoid a harsh, unflattering glare,’ he explains. Karen Howes, CEO of Taylor Howes, focuses on details by lighting alcoves, ceiling mouldings, staircases and joinery – concealed LED strips that create washes of light are great for this.
DECORATING WITH LIGHT ‘I like to think of decorative lighting in the same way as art,’ says Mark Holloway, owner of Holloways of Ludlow. LED technology has had a huge impact on lighting design in the past few years, which means more potential for unusual shapes than ever before – the Soft Architecture range by Flos, for example, allows you to build statement lighting into plasterwork. Don’t feel you have to match everything – designer Shalini Misra loves a mix of minimalist and maximalist styles – however, do match lamp trims, switches and door fittings for a harmonious look.
PRACTICAL MATTERS Planning a lighting scheme should be one of the first things you do when renovating. ‘Work out where you want fittings before tiling or decorating, as chasing out walls is messy and expensive later on,’ says Emma Finch, director of Hector Finch. The colour temperature of bulbs is vital for ensuring comfort. ‘It’s measured by the Kelvin rating – the lower, the warmer and softer the light,’ explains Mark Holloway. ‘A rating of 2700 has the warmth and cosiness most of us crave.’ Brighter, whiter bulbs are best kept for task-oriented areas. In bathrooms, all lights within 60cm of a water source must be Ip-rated to keep out moisture. IP44 is suitable for most areas, but around a bath or in a shower enclosure they should be IP65 or 67.
“WHEN LAYERING LIGHTING IN A SPACE, THINK ABOUT IT AS A WAY TO GUIDE THE EYE AROUND THE ROOM, AND POSITION IT AT LOW,
MEDIUM AND HIGH LEVELS”
KELLY WEARSTLER, founder, kellywearstler.com