[ AN illuminating EYE ]

Rebecca Hutchinson, senior designer at John Cullen lighting, on the latest design trends for brightening up a kitchen * using decorative lamps, in designs more commonly seen in the living room or office, on walls and worktops is an on-trend solution for illuminating the darker crevices of your kitchen. We’ve noticed a huge move towards gold, brass and copper finishes on decorative fittings. Tom Dixon’s copper lamps are a great example – their quirky shape draws the eye and adds interest whether on or off. * it’s important to consider the material choices of cabinetry and worktops when designing with light. For example, textured surfaces can create high drama when lights are placed very close, while the grain of timber will illuminate beautifully under a wash of light from an LED strip. It’s important to test different lights with the finish you’ve chosen, as different colour temperatures will bring out different features from that material. Beware of mirrored finishes, as it can be incredibly difficult, although not impossible, to avoid a glaring reflection. * A trio of outsized pendants slung low over a dining table or island unit is a tried-and-tested way to create intimacy and inject some decorative style. make an even stronger statement by placing downlights in between your pendants – this will highlight the finish of the shade from above. Try to avoid grids of downlights in your kitchen ceiling, though, as it looks cluttered – they should be placed where the light is most needed. * in terms of the latest tech trends, voice control is the next big development. Voice-controlled personal assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant can already link in with your lighting control system to take vocal instructions, making lighting control hands-free. It’s an area definitely worth watching.