We are so excited to light it up! Yes, today it is going to be ALL about lighting. Oh, also some announcements so please do read all the way to the finish line.
For now, let us dig into the main topic on hand - lighting, lighting transforms a space and not just by brightening dark corners, but by affecting your emotions. Did you know that lighting can lift your spirits? Make you more relaxed? AND even more productive? If you didn’t know, now you know!
Lighting is an essential part of designing and decorating a room and that is why we always suggest a mix of lighting for our projects.
Let’s start off with the bulbs.
Yes, the bulbs are important and we need to be picky when choosing them. Using LED bulbs is great because you know you're increasing your energy efficiency, having a longer bulb life, and are using a better and safer light source not to mention these bulbs can be used for all fixtures. Choose a 2,700 to 3,000 kelvin, the higher in the colour temperature range the crispier/white effect you will receive – we suggest the higher ones for spaces you want a “daylight” effect. Everywhere else in the house the warmer tone of light is recommended.
Layer it.
We suggest when possible, to have more than one source of light in a room. Think of it as layering illumination – how do you like that!? Layering Illumination – sounds sophisticated, right?
In the living room, for example, you may hang a decorative ceiling fixture near the center of the room, after that, you can look at downlighting for the outer walls. This can be used to gently wash the walls, give curtains and art warmth, and most importantly functional brightness. It can be achieved by using valance lighting, or even floor lamps that bounce light off the ceiling. The goal is to assure that there is a contrast between the center light and around the parameters and dark spaces in a room. Allowing for an interplay between light and darkness.
When looking at a layout of a room you might want to consider table lamps to be placed beside seating, accent lights could be used to highlight art, and candles can always be added to create a warm setting.
Room Orientation.
This is something you want to pay close attention to. If it is a room that is north-facing not much direct light is entering so you want to give this one extra attention. Not necessarily extra light fixtures.
This is where strategic layering can come in handy. For a room with little light, exposure installing recessed fixtures along the perimeter paired with a central pendant will spread light horizontally throughout the space. Once this is done you can add table lamps, sconces that can brighten any dark spots you find in the room. This brings us to the next topic.
Lighting up the Corners.
There is a trick here for the awkward empty corners in your spaces and that trick is placing an oversized floor lamp in the space. What you want to make sure is that the floor lamp has the finish and material that sits flawlessly with the rest of your space. This allows the piece to feel intentional with the rest of the room design.
This is a perfect example of function meets form. You now have a piece that provides light (function) while being an accent piece (form).
The Brightest of them all.
Here is the room that needs the brightest light possible – the kitchen!
It is usually the only space in the house that we suggest recessed lights {if needed}. We are not high promoters of recessed overhead lighting for residential projects, due to the shadows, unwanted spots, and excessive lighting that can be created from it. So use them with caution.
If you have a kitchen island, consider hanging pendants overhead, this is a great way to light up space without taking up any real estate. Most importantly use under-cabinet light. Placing LED light strips on the bottom of your upper cabinets is the easiest way to create an evenly lighted counter for the most important task in this room – food preparation and cooking!
Bathroom Lighting.
We find most clients over-look this space even though it is quite important. Believe it or not, recessed fixtures over the sink are probably the worst option as far as lighting is concerned in this space.
We suggest choosing wall-mounted sconces that are installed around 6’ off the floor, this will help with even illumination when looking in the mirror.
Another type of lighting to consider for the bathroom is motion-lighting at the cabinet base - this allows for a night light that is perfect for when you wake up in the middle of the night and do not want to be stricken with a bright light in your face to wake you up fully.
If you want to make your bathroom even more luxurious you can add a sculptural pendant lamp that will make you feel like you are in a spa. Especially if you have a self-standing tub that you can hang it above.
At home, light enlivens the things that matter – our morning routines, our meal cooking, to the moments we spend with family and friends.
Your home is your source of inspiration, comfort, support, and safety. For those reasons, it should be designed to fit you and your loved one's needs. It is the biggest gift you can give yourself and everyone living there.
Now, some reminders and announcements:
If you are still looking for a unique gift for a loved one visit our design pack, from the comfort of your home the recipient(s) will receive the gift in their e-mail box, you don't even have to worry about delivery!
We would also like to update you that today is our last bi-weekly blog post, starting January 2021 our bi-weekly blog posts will be switched to monthly. We have found that it has been challenging to find time for the bi-weekly and are determined to provide quality over quantity and that is why we made this decision. Stay tuned for our monthly blogs as they will continue to be full of goodies.
From our Design Studio to your homes we wish you and your family Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year filled with health, kept promises, and a heart full of joy.
With love and light,
