DAZZLING effects

EVERYTHING LOOKS BETTER WHEN IT’S WELL-LIT, SO EMBRACE THE MYRIAD POSSIBILITIES FOR EVERY ROOM

LIGHT IMPACTS the way we feel. Glary rooms can be off-putting, yet a gently lit space is instantly relaxing. When planning your lighting, remember to consider the three main types. “Ambient refers to the general, overall light in a room,” says Adrianna Barr of Lumen8 Architectural Lighting. “Task lighting is a specialised light source for a specific activity, while accent lighting is used to emphasise a feature.” Knowing how you’ll use your space will help you map out an effective lighting layout, and choose the fittings to suit, be they pendants, floor or table lamps, ceiling or wallll lights.

Find pendant perfection

Depending on their style, pendants can provide ambient or task lighting, are great for zoning open-plan spaces and can star as an eye-catching feature. It’s easy to fall in love with a stunning shape, but before you buy, consider its main function and whether you have the right spot for it. “Think about the room size, the volume of the pendant and your sight lines,” say the lighting experts at ECC Lighting + Furniture. “If it’s a small, enclosed room, choose an airy and light pendant that floats near the ceiling.”

Creating lamp love

Lighting schemes have evolved beyond ceilings dotted with rows of downlights. “These days you can create brighter, more effective light with strategic placement and use considerably less energy in the process,” explains Adele Locke of Mint Lighting. Brilliant for task lighting, strategically placed lamps can also add ambience or make a feature of an area. “Task lighting for reading and homework by way of a table lamp with an adjustable head is great for a desk or bedside table,” suggests interior designer Joanna Ford. “Many lamps allow for LED globes which, unlike incandescent bulbs, don’t heat up, making them safe to leave on for extended periods.”

On the surface

Ceiling lights cast a softer level of illumination than standard downlights, introducing gentle ambience to spaces such as living rooms and bedrooms, and are also brilliant for low-ceilinged rooms that can’t rock a pendant. In living areas, go for accents that are easy on the eye. “I like to use uplighting with floor lamps or wall lights, which offer a purer quality of light, and table lamps for a soft ambient glow,” says interior designer Joanna Ford. In the hall, use accent lighting on paintings or special treasures, or to turn a thoroughfare into a gallery as in this space by Marg Costa from Black Lacquer Design (above).

For a similar floor lamp, try Freedom.

‘AJ’ table lamp in Petroleum, from $1283, Cult.

LEDlux ‘Blakely’ LED floor lamp in Black and Brushed Brass, $249, Beacon Lighting.

‘Replica Flos IC T2’ table lamp, $359, Zest Lighting. Stockists, page 194

‘Line’ floor lamp in Brushed Chrome, $1325, Douglas And Bec.

‘Angle 2.0’ table lamp in Sage Green, $689, Douglas And Bec.

‘Ivy’ lamp in Midnight Blue, $520, Retro Print Revival.

Gubi ‘Grasshopper’ floor lamp, $1200, Cult.

‘PS 2017’ floor lamp in Dark Blue, $99, Ikea.

‘Zurich’ floor lamp, $49, Kmart.

For similar pendants, try Emac & Lawton.

Oly ‘Pipa Bowl’ chandelier, $3995, Coco Republic. Brilliant ‘6 light Rubix Cluster Cage’ pendant, $200, Bunnings.

Timothy Oulton ‘Atom Elliptical’ chandelier, $4595, Coco Republic. Stockists, page 194

Brilliant ‘Amaro DIY Clear Beaded Shade’ pendant, $79.35, Bunnings.

‘Chambord 5 light’ pendant in Walnut and Black, $795, Beacon Lighting.

Enoki ‘Cumulus’ pendant in Black, from $595, The Design Hunter.

Large handwoven wicker pendant, $770, Cranmore Home.

‘Y Chandelier 05’ pendant, $3590, Douglas And Bec.

‘Cirque’ pendant in Red Top, from $445, Cult.

For a similar pendant, try Living Edge.

For similar wall sconces, try Eurolight.

‘Calypso’ ceiling lamp, $49.99, Ikea.

LEDlux ‘Surface’ downlight in Black, $109, Beacon Lighting. Stockists, page 194

Astro ‘Mashiko Square’ ceiling light, from $549, ECC Lighting + Furniture.

‘Hektar’ wall/clamp spotlight in White, $19.99, Ikea.

LEDlux ‘Nord Cube’ LED wall bracket in Teak, $219, Beacon Lighting.

Anglepoise ‘Original 1227’ brass wall light in Deep Slate, $280, Cult.

‘Curves’ wall light in White, $99, Lumen8 Architectural Lighting.

Nemo ‘Lampe De Marseille’ wall light, $1300, Cult.

‘Well Glass’ wall light, $598, Dunlin.

‘Vitemölla’ wall lamp, $29.99, Ikea.