Coming up in this newsletter
Light bulb moments - part one
I'm beginning a new series today focusing on lighting in your home. In part one learn tips about using recessed down lighting.
What's on in the studio - updates
Renovation - The house with the 270 degree view
Room Refresh - Take me to the tropics
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Exhibition recommendation
Light bulb moments - part one
Good lighting brings depth and visual interest into your space and emphasises the; focal point - where your eye is drawn, height of ceilings - making the room appear spacious, spaces - to nestle, art or object - adding drama, and light up spaces - for tasks.
It’s about mixing the right amount of light and shadow into your room.
I have a bug bear - the excessive use of recessed down lights, streaming bright light downwards incessantly. It’s overkill, it’s neither comfortable, inviting nor relaxing. Planning the position of recessed down lights should provide ambience or drama or task lighting. Not just bright light, each light should have a purpose.
It's about what you are lighting, not creating a symmetrical pattern of recessed lights on your ceiling. Here are my collected thoughts on using recessed down lighting...
The smaller the down light the better. Lighting the centre of a coffee table adds ambience to a room.
Down lights can highlight curtains emphasising the fabrics texture, colour and pattern.
Recessed lights can be tilted down towards objects / art / vase of flowers to add drama.
Down lights positioned over a kitchen island provide task lighting, for the light at hand. OR place tilted towards cabinetry, reflects light down on your bench top.
Placing down lights in a grid on the ceiling will create a flat wash of light. Remember it’s about bringing the right amount of light and shadow into your space.
Following are recessed lighting ideas from
my inspiration file.
Accent lighting for a leisurely bath. Alcove recessed down lights show off bottles. Note the recessed light on the lower left, reflecting light from the floor.
Multiple lights create an airy feeling; spotlight on the beam down to the table, recessed light reflecting onto the ceiling highlighting the ceiling angle, glass pendants over the table create ambience, under bar lights on the bench up stand create light at hand, and the soft spot onto the moody toned cabinetry highlight symmetry.
A great show of light and shadow play; down lights reflecting light off the cabinetry creating a rhythmic pattern, down lighting over the island bench top = light at hand, lighting under island highlighting the wood grain and the bar stools, shapely pendants over the dining table, beside the windows floor lights reflecting up to the ceiling. A dazzling bar setup; small pendants over the island, backlighting either side of the mirrored wall and under bench lighting on the bar.
Need interior design help on your project?
I'm happy to help.
You can email me here.
You can call me on 0275 8888 32
or visit me in the studio.
What’s on in the studio - updates
Renovation - The house with the 270 degree view
Concept - Consent - Construction - Compliance
Are we there yet? Almost...This project is coming to a close. First meeting with clients was November 2021. The brief - make the space open plan to see the view. We’ve removed load bearing walls, awkward passageways and doorways. We've installed beams, a post, space saving cavity sliders and pushed the kitchen out to create an island. Plus moved the wood burner to the opposite wall to make a focal point in the living room.
Opening the kitchen to dining and living modernises the 1980's floor plan. We've increased usable bench space by creating an island with kitchen sink. There is now plenty of prep, cooking and wash space. Plus you always need to see the view, and the range hood, hovering in front of the window is a design statement. The pantry is now fitted out with full cabinetry and bench top space too. A combination of track lighting and LED pendants reflect light on to bench tops. You'll also notice a few extra recessed down lights the electrician installed :)
Room Refresh - Take me to the Tropics
Completed - guest bedroom
My clients brief was artful colour for this fun project. Inspiration came from the bold wallpaper. Beds are always the focal point and a feature wall complemented this art filled home. New roman blinds in a herringbone pattern work with palm fronds in the wallpaper. We picked out the chartreuse colour in linen for the bed cover, making a luxurious cable knit stitch quilt. The lantern light reflects light and shadow patterns onto painted walls, with an Angle-poise lamp for night time reading. There's space to place your bag on a long rattan bench and the best deal was cushions my client found at Spotlight.
Need interior design help on your project?
I'm happy to help.
You can email me here.
You can call me on 0275 8888 32
or visit me in the studio.
Looking for something to do this weekend?
The Dowse Art Museum
Unhinged - Opening the Door to the Dowse Collection
I’ve always been a big fan of The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt. This exhibition beats them all. Their storage facility is having a makeover so we get to see everything that was behind closed doors. What a visual feast for the eyes! The entire space is filled with the most amazing art of all genres. It's a must see event and it’s free. And then a coffee at Bellbird Cafe to finish. Highly recommend. You won’t be disappointed.
Come in and tell me about your project
New builds - Renovations - Room Refresh
Meet me in the studio. Browse my interior design books for inspiration. Check out my extensive library of samples and materials from flooring to wall and window coverings and furniture.
14 Hardy Street Waterloo Lower Hutt
Studio business hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
After hours by appointment 0275 88 88 32.
(It's a good idea to ring me first as I can be out at a meeting...)
I'm always eager for feedback... (you can simply reply to this email).
Have a fab weekend.