Have fun with accent lighting. Finding just the right lighting is one of the most difficult things for me as an interior designer, but when it happens it is magic. I think of the room as the perfect little black dress with the perfect cut, the one that dresses up or down according to the occasion, and the perfect lighting fixture is the jewelry that finishes off and compliments the little black dress.
I have written an article for West Coast Homes and Design, a supplement in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper,on how the right lighting is one of the most important aspects in achieving atmosphere in a home. Lighting is a discipline all to itself and often is one of the most important parts of an interior. Bad lighting can ruin a good interior: good lighting can almost salvage a bad one. For example….. (more)
In kitchens it is particularly important to get the lighting right as food preparation along with the eating and social aspects that go on in this room are a vital part of our lives and involve all of our senses. Kitchens need to be well lit with good overall ambient lighting and task lighting over islands and countertops. Add a little fun and pizazz with accent lighting as I did over this island.
Lighting in a bathroom and bedroom needs to make you feel refreshed and energetic in the morning, ready to face the challenges of the day ahead, but at night should engender a feeling of relaxation and harmony. In a bathroom, good lighting for putting on make-up should come evenly from either side of the mirror so shadows are not cast on the face. The rest of the room needs to be lit evenly from overhead, but be careful of placing recessed pot lights that are directly over your head when standing in front of a mirror or else you will have shadows under your eyes. I put the lights for the make-up lights and the overhead lights on different switches to further enhance the options to create different moods.
Left: Wall mounted LED swing-arm lamps were used in this bedroom for task light.
Right: Candles can add to the mood and ambience in a room and make a dramatic statement.
Click on the PDF icon to read the whole article
PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm in Vancouver. Here we write about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel. 2012 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel. 2012 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™
I love those pendant lights.
ReplyDeleteI love the lighting you did in the bathroom, especially using dimmers.
Paul
Just looks amazing! The shading is just perfect!
ReplyDeletePerfectly balanced! It blends with the space and compliments every furniture. It's difficult to capture that essence. You did a brilliant job!
ReplyDeleteI love those kitchen lights:) adorable photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat snaps..i like the dining table..it takes less space.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, those are some wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work, Combine package of interior Design & creative work. I love your work.
ReplyDeletePura harmonia,perfeito,adorei!
ReplyDeletePatricia tem obras nova lá no meu blog,se você passar lá e der sua opinião vou ficar imensamente feliz.
Tudo de bom pra você.
Harmony & balance...the only way to use light
ReplyDeleteI like the way you used the combination of lighting and materials.
ReplyDeleteThat lights are amazing ! Really like this kind of minimalistic style :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful setting! so relaxing and modern.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen design looks dramatic and I like it! Cool post!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed your article in West Coast Homes and Design some time ago and I just found your blog browsing blogger. Amazing coincidence. It was a really great article I must say. The right choice of lights can completely change the interior. Those hanging lights in the kitchen are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love stylish lighting, wish I had something a bit more exciting than the standard lampshade hanging from my ceilings! I might have to suggest those hanging bulb lights to my boyfriend for our new kitchen design, although not sure they'll fit with the rustic/Victorian look he's going for...
ReplyDeleteHello my dear friend:
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your publications. The handblown pendants are quite beautiful. I can't wait to show you my new collection of hand blown glass lights... Hoping to see you in NY soon...fg
Wonderfully crisp and always interesting!
DeleteI hate when interiors have bad, plain light - it looks really good when you have all this little lights and not a single one (:
ReplyDeleteLoved the article in West Coast Homes and Design. I definitely agree about lighting selection often being one of the most challenging aspects of the design process. It always seems to be that one last finishing touch that we and our clients seem to struggle to find balance with.
ReplyDeletethese pendants are spectacular....
ReplyDeleteas are you.
and obviously the world has taken notice.
xx
Really like your presentation on lighting, and I totally agree it can have a profound effect on the success, or otherwise, in finishing a room and creating the ambiance or feel required. Personally I like what you have achieved in the bathroom example, the blinds add a bit of drama with the external natural light percolating through in blazing horizontal lines, whilst the thought you have given to the positioning of task lighting is often overlooked - how often spotlights are positioned directly over mirrors I would not like to guess, but certainly I think it might be why my own reflection in many mirrors is not as 'cover page' as would like - that's my excuse anyway.
ReplyDeleteSuper modern... What do you think about classic crystal chandelier? Do you use it? Have a nice day. Xoxo V.V.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteI am in love with good light. I seek it out all the time since my photography is made with glass and light. I used to love the different lighting created at the theatre and that was one of my favourite things about it. Good lighting is amazing. Thank you for the advice. Frances
I love the lighting fixture! It really looks good in the kitchen. Nice space!
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
ReplyDeleteThe lighting in the bathroom definitely engenders a feeling of relaxation and harmony. So peaceful, thanks for a great blog...
ReplyDeletenice lights over counter
ReplyDeleteGreat to see a blog about the importance of lighting. It really does affect the mood and furniture in a room.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of the most beautiful grains ruined by poor lighting, and yet have also seen some awful grains made to look wonderful through great lighting.
Lighting is so important, yet it's often overlooked or simply installed just because someone likes the idea of a spotlight rather than the affect it gives!
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later in life. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
ReplyDeletelove the hanging light fixture and back splash! where did you get them?
ReplyDeleteYour comments along with the images shows how thoughtful you need to be when deciding on lighting for a room. The aesthetics are important, but as you suggest it is also essential to think about what you are doing in the room, what the lighting is for, and what effects the lighting needs to have. Great resource!
ReplyDeleteNot about lighting. I love pillows on the last pictures.
ReplyDeletebasic but very useful tips, hanging lights are great.
ReplyDeletethis is a great post, i love those lights in the bedroom..
ReplyDeleteThe lighting is so beautifully balanced. Accent lighting is a great way to brighten certain areas and also create different focus points throughout the space. Brilliantly done.
ReplyDeletei like the lighting and the flooring!
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeletethis article is so fantastic and interesting to shows this kind images of loves...
Love the design, it is simple, elegant, aesthetic and elaborated. The lighting complements well with the background design and color of the room.
ReplyDeleteI really like that modern style with the clean lines and solid materials. The lighting job you did is really cool as well. I especially like the way the bathroom looks; that is the kind of style I really like.
ReplyDeleteSome really great lighing inspiration. The light is spread in an interesting way and the shades give the area ambiance.
ReplyDeletegreat light inspiration
ReplyDeleteI love the rectangular recessed lighting in the kitchen and bathroom. I agree that lighting is essential to great design, and it needs to be functional as well as beautiful. The color tonality of light can add or take away from a room and influence the people living it. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIts the details of our lives I think that in some respects make the impact. Its only once in a while the big picture matters. I loves these photos of the details.
ReplyDeleteI like the light fixtures! Everything in general looks cool.
ReplyDeleteLove the countertop with those lovely high chairs. Grey and earth shades looks perfect together. And the hanging lights are pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteThese lights are fantastic! Really great photos as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these tips! I love your comments on the kitchen and bathroom lighting. I hate when I am visiting friends or family and their kitchens or bathrooms are not lit well or correctly. It really does affect your mood. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! I totally agree that the bathroom lighting needs to make you feel energetic in the morning and relaxed in the evening. You take everyone's thoughts and put them perfectly into writing. Glad I found this blog, I'm hooked now!
ReplyDeleteLove the bathroom especially!
ReplyDeleteI love those round glass lamps, they look like bubbles floating in the air :)
ReplyDeleteI really love the photos and as I read the whole article the writings are really clever. Great one here!
ReplyDeleteThose are very cool glass lights featured first, the kitchen ones. I like those a lot. And the pillows... what are those? Is that silk? The design is really amazing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing design. The lighting in the kitchen is so stylish
ReplyDeleteI think those round glass lamps were the killers!! I like the float in the air effect!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that bathroom lighting set-up just looks glorious. I've never thought that lighting a bathroom can be THAT complicated, since it's quite easy to forget to consider how lighting affects the make up's entire look. I love the bubble lighting on that kitchen island, by the way!
ReplyDeleteI like those round glass lamps too! I'd love to have them on my kitchen!
ReplyDeleteTo Patricia, thank you for sharing your insights with us. I, too agree that the lighting in a room really does the magic.
There are really great types of lighting for your home but you have to choose the best because it sets the mood for your rooms! Love the blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures! Beautiful design work here. I'm inspired!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. The lighting effects are important in a home or in a particular part of it. Your chosen effects are dramatic and elegant. Even more, the cool environment enhances the modern architecture.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Joe Fried--that bathroom is out of control AMAZING!! The lights above the mirror are just right! Gives it an instant spa feel! :)
ReplyDeleteThe lighting in the kitchen reminds me of how an underwater Neutrino detection array looks.
ReplyDeleteThis is great interior designing! The images are also fantastic! You would be surprised as to how many customers and interior designers we have in the shop who overlook the lighting aspect of the job.
ReplyDeleteWow the kitchen lights really make the kitchen look great. It's hard especially as it seems there are no windows in that particular kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI just like the decoration and lighting of kitchen and bathroom.Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! Lighting has always been one of my favorite parts of a room. I especially love the bathroom lighting.
ReplyDeleteI adore those glass pendants over the kitchen counter! They really are like jewelry.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I also like the use of the candles on pedestals, I am hoping they are electrified for safety due to the proximity to the draperies...?
(BTW, I've tried commenting both with Wordpress and OpenID and my blog's url, and it keeps showing "Anonymous posted..." in the preview; I'm not sure how this is going to actually post.)
Wendy Hoechstetter
Absolutely right i am totally agree with your thinking about lighting. I think lightning is the main element in the interior of rooms and kitchen etc. if it is used at right place it will sounds great..
ReplyDeleteChicago Interior Design Firm
The kitchen lights are brilliant, I love them!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous kitchens - lighting so crucial to each and every project.
ReplyDeleteIt is always interesting to see how much a change of lighting can really do to a room. It really sets the mood. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI love your work! I just found your website and blog and am inspired by your beautiful interiors!
ReplyDeleteLoved the bathroom the most. The colors were great and it had the perfect modern sleek feel to it.
ReplyDeleteI love the backsplash in the let there be light article. can you tell me what is it?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThe backsplash is honed travertine.
I just loved the design with beautiful lighting...the lighting you use in the condo is extremely important and that is because you should try to create a feeling of space in your condo interior design.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing beautiful interior great types of lighting for your home and fabulous bathrooms designs. Really very nice.
ReplyDeleteI love this Design, The most thing and I like the bathroom
ReplyDeleteawesome interior. looking very beautiful. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat interior design. I love it. thanks
ReplyDeleteI've a particular love for lights.
ReplyDeletethank to share these informations with us.
This cleanly designed and beautifully photographed blog is the creation of a generous interior designer. Lighting for your home and fabulous bathrooms designs. Really very nice. thank you so much for the blog sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing very beautiful post!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and elegant, adorable style, congratulations.
ReplyDelete