Lighting: Pros' tips on strategic placing and designer dupes
CA Design’s classic lighting and modern versions, like the Acorn white polished copper, trump short-lived trends to offer timeless style.
HASN'T the selection of lighting available really come on, but making impulse purchases far too easy, lured by good-looking lamps rather than prioritising their value as a light source.
At least their portability means if they turn out to be either a practical or aesthetic misstep, they can be moved easily to another room, unlike permanent overhead and wall lights that need solid planning before we hit the shops.
It’s the time of year when we really see shortcomings in our lighting, often not having enough of it in a given space, which is a common mistake according to Sarah Louise Dunne of Sarah Louise Interiors.
“A good lighting plan will include a mix of ambient, task and accent lighting,” she says.
Once a plan is established, she looks to classic designs for timeless appeal rather than trends, balancing out practicality and ambience using a mix of ceiling-mounted fixtures, wall lights, recessed lighting and task lighting where needed.
“The light fixtures need to coordinate in terms of style, finish and scale,” she says. “Strategic placing of fixtures to ensure even distribution of light is crucial. We recommend choosing high-quality, durable lighting fixtures made from brass, bronze or brushed nickel. Avoid overly ornate or minimalistic lighting that may become dated and opt for well-crafted, elegant pieces that will withstand evolving design styles.”
Focusing on one of the most used rooms, Carol-Anne Leyden, owner of furniture and lighting design retailer CA Design, says, “Your living room is one of the most important rooms in your home to get right. It’s multi-functional, but it should feel like a cosy sanctuary where you relax, unwind, and spend time with loved ones at the end of a day, either to sit fireside or curl up and read or watch a movie.”
Taking a layered approach to a lighting plan, she considers three essential elements.
“Think of your ambient lights,” she says. “These would be your focal lighting points and can be pendant lights or spots. If you choose spotlights, make sure they are dimmable. Add some task lights for the areas in your living room that might need extra light.
"A floor lamp or an armed sconce works well. Your third layer is your accent lighting which is generally some mood lights or highlighting a particular space, a table lamp to brighten up a corner or a wall light to focus on some art.”
When it comes to the fun of choosing styles, Carol-Anne cautions against short-lived trends.
“We always suggest going for classic design-led shapes. Anything that nods to a design classic will never date, but it can be a modernised take on a design classic.”
A love of classic timeless style is core to the work of interior stylist Sarah Twigg Doyle who specialises in vintage-inspired interiors.
As a buyer of classic lighting, she offers advice on how to deal with the practicalities of pre-used and possible safety issues.
“Most good dealers will have already safety PAT tested any lighting they sell but that may not always be the case,” Sarah says. “If you are buying from a private seller, charity or thrift stores, check the condition of the wiring and plug. Check with an electrician who can carry out a PAT test for you, if you are in any doubt.
"Ensure any hard wiring is carried out by a qualified electrician and don’t be put off by old or broken wiring if you do find something you like and the price is right. An electrician in most cases can update it.”
Sharing her shopping secrets, Sarah suggests vintage and antique dealers first.
“Sometimes DoneDeal or Adverts.ie can have good selections,” she adds. “Also, boot sales, charity and second-hand furniture shops can be good for things like floor and table lamps ripe for an upcycle. Also, look at the auction houses and salvage yards.”
Among Sarah’s finds for clients and her own home is a dark wood barley-twist floor lamp to which she’s added a modern lampshade, and what she says was a dated table lamp from Pete’s Antiques in Dublin
“I upcycled using filler to add texture and cover a dated decal. When it comes to lamps, I always say don’t be put off if the shape is right but the colour isn’t. A lick of paint can transform them.”
Instagram.com - retwiggdstylist
Instagram.com - cadesign.ie/
Instagram.com - sarahlouiseinteriors/
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
