How Interior Design Consultancies Use Lighting – The Three Types of Light

Article by Interior Design London







Interior design consultancies understand the richness of light in all its forms. In London, lighting is crucial to interior design consultancies that need to create stunning results. In this, the fifth article in my series which I call “DeLIGHTed by Design,” I continue to draw on my experience working with some of London’s Top Interior Design Consultancies to explain this exciting area.

Traditionally, a lighting scheme in the olden days would often comprise a single fitting, such as a pendant light, which would be used to meet all the residents’ needs. This was commonplace even in fashionable London, where the electricity supply was intermittent up until the first half of the twentieth century. Sometimes interior design consultancies would simply install a economical bedside lamp to serve dual duty, casting both general light as well as light for games or tasks. However, today’s lighting options give interior design consultancies so much more opportunity to illuminate multiple zones at once, bringing interiors to life and delighting guests and homeowners. London’s interior design consultancies excel at casting light exactly where desired, sparkling over a shiny floor or bathing an attractive wall.

There are three basic types of light. General lighting, also known as ambient light, guarantees whole-room illumination. It is basic, flexible and imperative for standard everyday lighting. Interior design consultancies will incorporate a dimmer switchbox for extra versatility if appropriate.

Top London interior design consultancies often rely on feature or accent lighting for design highlights, focusing the attention towards points of interest, such as a resplendent piece of furniture, a bouquet of fresh red roses, or an historic architrave or cornice. Feature lighting can also give a completely new look to display closets and wardrobes. Feature lighting acts as an additional layer in the interior design consultancy’s scheme, subtly fine-tuning the lighting mood without imbalancing the overall theme.

Finally, task lighting is perfect for specific needs, such as tweaking the cutlery arrangement on the dining table, playing chess in bed, or putting on make-up in the bathroom before an extravagant London soiree. Interior design consultancies will use strong localized light, with the bare bulb or tube usually hidden to eliminate glare.

In the next article in this series “DeLIGHTed by Design,” I will reveal the six main lighting tools that are most often used by London interior design consultancies.



About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.

Written on October 1st, 2010 , Interior Design Tags: , , , , , ,
The bright light- home improvement basics that work

Article by Canadian Home Find







For families and even for those who chose to live alone, one of the most important things that must be considered is the fact that the home should be safe for those who live in it. Not only does it make those who live in it feels safe but a good lighting system also adds a great drama to the house.There are several points to consider when creating a lighting system that works for your home. You must take note of the several factors that might affect it, one of which are the plants, curtains, and other home fixtures that might block the light. For those who are opting for homes that are for sale by owner, it is best to look into every detail that will be a plus point or may be a hindrance. Therefore, to ensure that your home improvement lighting would serve the main purpose of providing security, here are a few basic tips that you can look into to ensure a functional lighting security system. 1. Look into the different FSBO listings for pre-set security system that you might be able to work with. This does not only make things quicker for you, but it also cuts the cost of starting from scratch. 2. For certain, the previous owner has installed some lighting fixtures in the home, so it would be best to ask an electrician to check everything out and ensure that wires and other electrical fixtures are functioning well to avoid unwanted accidents. 3. When things have been checked, determine the things that needs repair and work on the things that you want to add-on. It is best to ask help from electrical companies, they will certainly have people they can send over to help you out in whatever lighting home improvement that has to be done. 4. For sure you would want a few light fixtures outside your home, be sure that these lights are made for outdoor purposes and that they pass quality standards. 5. Ensure that products are tested beforehand. Most lighting fixtures have warranties-according to company policies-therefore you must make sure that you are aware of it to make the most out of the product that you have purchased.6. Be sure to read the manual or brochure of the product before installing it. This is to ensure that you do not ruin the product and that you are certain about how it should be installed. 7. Disconnect or switch off the main power source when installing any type of light fixture. This does not only ensure your safety but it also protects the product from damage in certain instances wherein you accidentally plug it in the wrong socket. 8. Use energy saving light fixtures. Nowadays, companies have developed practical ways of helping families save on their electricity bill without compromising any lighting and security. These lighting fixtures may be a little bit above the budget as compared to those other products but you will certainly be able to save a ton of money in the long run. To ensure that all home improvement lighting fixtures are made accordingly based what you want and need, make sure to test things first for at least 24 hours (some recommend 48 hours). This way you can figure out any discrepancies earlier and you will be able to work on it as soon as possible.



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Article by canadianhomefind.com Canada’s most effective For Sale By Owner service. Click for more information on: For Sale By Owner how-to Most Effective FSBO Programs Browse FSBO Listings

Written on September 14th, 2010 , Home Improvement Tags: , , , , ,
How Interior Design Consultancies Use Lighting – Artificial and Natural Light

Article by Interior Design London







Interior design consultancies understand light in all its forms. In London, lighting is crucial to interior design consultancies that need to create stunning results. In this, the eighth and final article in my series which I call “DeLIGHTed by Design,” I continue to draw on my experience working with some of London’s Top Interior Design Consultancies to explain this exciting area.

When most schoolchildren are asked to think of the countryside, they often imagine the hot, shimmering flicker of a bonfire on a crisp autumn evening or the comforting flare of a scented candle. But how is an interior design consultancy to re-interpret these fabulously earthy and atmospheric scenes for, say, an elegant central London flat? The answer is artificial light.

Interior design consultancies recognise that artificial light is available in many different shades. It is similar to the situation with paint, where buckets that are labelled “white” can actually contain a multitude of different tones. Interior design consultancies employ colour professionals who know that the cool white light of an energy-efficient bulb creates an entirely different effect from the warm yellow-orange tones of a tungsten filament. In London, low-voltage halogen options are often used in darker flats where there is a need to add light during the daytime. Interior design consultancies will install dimmer switches that allow homeowners to reduce the brightness of halogens at night, causing them to adopt a more husky yellow-red glow that is akin to an ancient lantern or oil lamp. By contrast, lamplight is too yellow for most interior design consultancies to include for daytime use, and indeed it can lead to sleepiness or lethargy at work (one of the reasons it is almost never seen in London offices). But at night, tungsten lamps become much more warm and welcoming.

Some interior design consultancies have a love-hate relationship with fluorescent lighting options. These fixtures often emit various shades of white, ranging from a very cool, almost daylight tone, which can be quite crisp, to a warm, rosy streetlight glow. Some interior design consultancies love fluorescent lights for London kitchens, where they illuminate workspaces but save on electricity bills. However, other interior design consultancies stay well away from fluorescent options because their colour does not change as they are dimmed. Fluorescents merely become less bright under such conditions, which can contribute to an unattractively dull, and almost grey, lighting effect.

That brings me to the end of my series “DeLIGHTed by Design.” Thank you for letting me share with you about how London interior design consultancies create fabulous lighting schemes!



About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.

Written on September 12th, 2010 , Interior Design Tags: , , , , , ,
Colour Me Brightly! Understanding Light in Interior Design. Part IV: Conclusion

Article by Interior Design London







Professional interior designers are expertly trained in the use of lighting features to create breathtaking results. In this four-part series which I call “Colour Me Brightly: Understanding Light in Interior Design,” I draw on my experience in London’s interior design community to explain this fascinating subject. This fourth article concludes my series.

Linear light patterns can focus on either the horizontal or the vertical metrics of a room. A given wall-light technique can create an immersing halo effect, if the interior designer uses concentrated super-bright light at high level that gradually fades out towards the base. Some London Interior Design consultancies specialise in choosing continuous sources, such as a miniature tungsten rack for a soft light or overlapping fluorescents for a cooler light. This is an effect that works very well in contemporary interior designs, where light can be concealed between the wall and the ceiling in a crevice in order to take the place of the traditional cornice.

The best method of illumination for interior designers to use when creating patterns will depend on the interior, and also on the direction of windows (natural light in London can be very seasonal). A smoothly plastered wall can jump into existence with a dappled arc wave from closed-offset down-lighters but if the interior design feature lies in the texture and in the structure or hue of the wall, then a more uniform spray of light will emphasise the wall’s best perspectives. A splashback tile solution at the rear of a shower or bath is a good interior design choice for the arc wave effect, as is a Venetian blind in a London kitchen. A wood-panelled hall or study is often a compelling interior design feature, and accordingly it would be better lit with an even light that does not detract from the feel of the wood.

Shifting from instant to instant and from a London dawn to a dappled full seasonal moonrise, the impacts of illumination and shadow are phenomena we almost disregard. But London’s top interior designers know that patterns of light can actually transform our emotions with respect to the interior forms that engulf us. By bringing to life walls, floors and ceilings with light-focused interior designs, pattern-making is yet another realm of illumination that can brighten our spaces and enhance our quality of life.




About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.

Written on September 9th, 2010 , Interior Design Tags: , , , , , , ,
Colour Me Brightly! Understanding Light in Interior Design. Part II: Perforations and Glass

Article by Interior Design London







Professional interior designers are expertly trained in the use of lighting features to create breathtaking results. In this four-part series which I call “Colour Me Brightly: Understanding Light in Interior Design,” I draw on my experience in London’s interior design community to explain this fascinating subject. This second article talks about how to create patterns using illuminated materials.

Any perforated textile, when lit from the back or from the inside, will speckle adjacent forms with pattern, from point strips and pirouettes to constellations and dazzling laser specks. The professional interior designer can use the trim of a window covering to create fabulous banding across a shiny floor covering in the London summer. Some interior design firms love to use ornamental metal lanterns to paint fiery asteroids on walls and furniture, while light projected through a sculpted screen can create magnificent abstract outlines in expressive contemporary interior design schemes. A factory-inspired metal stairwell with perforated treads – of the type often reinterpreted for ultra-modern interior design schemes – can throw tiny checkmarks of light onto local furniture when exposed to a bright London sky in springtime. A fabulous option with a wooden staircase would require the interior designer to specify a grit-washed tread, to deliberately throw stunning shadows from the rail onto the adjacent wall. Abstract wire-mesh sculptures by local London artists can engender powerful interior design emotions, with the pattern even becoming more important than the object itself! Interior designers can expressively use perspective to distort the pattern from complete realism, when lit front-on, to Baconesque abstract enchantment when illuminated at an acute angle. The same effect can be created by using mirrors to refocus natural light from bay windows in some of the more luxurious London residences.

Glass is another popular tool for patterns. A frosted glass table can be lit from above with a halogen downlighter to cast intricate outlines of reflected light onto the ceiling, and the interior designer can even use positioning to cause refracted light to splash abstract patterns onto the floor underneath the table. I have seen some London Interior Design consultancies deliberately illuminate trophy-style glassware on display shelves from the front so that the etching on the glass throws deep shadows that recapitulate a core design theme.

In the next (third) article in this series called “Colour Me Brightly!” I will reveal another secret of London’s interior design community: how to create patterns with opaque objects.




About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.

Written on September 7th, 2010 , Interior Design Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Colour Me Brightly! Understanding Light in Interior Design. Part III: Patterns from Opaque Materials

Article by Interior Design London







Professional interior designers are expertly trained in the use of lighting features to create breathtaking results. In this four-part series which I call “Colour Me Brightly: Understanding Light in Interior Design,” I draw on my experience in London’s interior design community to explain this fascinating subject. This third article talks about how to create patterns using opaque materials.

The second way for an interior designer to create light-based patterns involves opaque surfaces, which reflect light back into a room. This pattern creation process is more sophisticated and can be fine-tuned for stunning interior design effects. Light portrayals impact how we understand a surface and its texture. For example, the “standard” technique often seen in London residences simply involves casting a gentle play of light across a wall. The light brushes the fittings, causing the wall to appear even, flat and two-dimensional. Some top London Interior Designers know that their clients crave more drama and stylistic nuance. In such cases, placing lightwell fillings very close to the wall and angling them downwards can be really striking. Using this technique, interior design consultancies can transform the previous gentle wave into an enunciated designer style, as the photons shave the surface and build to form sturdy optical patterns, including top-level arcs and dramatic textures. A sharper, more laser-like focus will only make the pattern more conspicuous – recreating a look that is popular in many trendy London nightclubs.

The direct counterpoint to this interior design technique involves the use of close-offset uplighting. With this approach, floor-level filaments cause the eye to move up vertical columns of light which dance across the wall to form puddles of dappled reflected light on the ceiling. Professional London interior designers often work alongside colour consultants to make sure that the result has practical rel evance as well as aesthetic appeal. In particular, some newer London residences often have uncomfortably low ceilings. Interior designers can use this lighting approach to draw attention to the vertical plane of the wall, thereby counterbalancing the hemmed-in feel of the low ceiling.

In the next and final article in this series called “Colour Me Brightly!” I will finish by revealing some top lighting tips from London’s interior design community.




About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.

Written on September 6th, 2010 , Interior Design Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Colour Me Brightly! Understanding Light in Interior Design. Part I: Introducing Patterns of Light

Article by Interior Design London







Professional interior designers are expertly trained in the use of lighting features to create breathtaking results. In this four-part series which I call “Colour Me Brightly: Understanding Light in Interior Design,” I draw on my experience in London’s interior design community to explain this fascinating subject. This first article is about patterns.

Ask a London schoolgirl to imagine natural patterns, and she may talk at length of curvaceous seashells, the undulating edge of waves on the shore, the grooves in a gnarled tree trunk. Interior designers know that patterns are all around us. Patterns profoundly influence all interior design schemes, transforming our appreciation of color and texture, adding fluctuations and drifts or promoting harmony and stillness. London Interior Designers will focus on soft, fluid outlines in order to create relaxing patterns. By contrast, bold graphic statements in a wallpaper stencil can be invigorating for a London discotheque or salon. Pattern is a foundational ingredient of interior design, fragmenting overwhelming shapes and plain surfaces while simultaneously lending personality and profundity to a room.

London’s professional interior designers know one big secret: pattern is created not only by fabric and wallpaper. Light also forms any number of patterns through a virtual tussle or rough-and-tumble interaction between light and shadow. Light patterns are foundational to interior design schemes – from snippeted, kinetic and frosted patterns to curvy arcs, spearhead-style lines and theatrical projections of abstract forms.

Patterns of light fall into two main interior design categories. The first is all about objects in the path of light, casting shadows. We draw our inspiration from the natural world where, when sunlight strikes rippling water on London’s famous River Thames, flickering patterns are reflected up into the trees along the water’s edge. Similarly, if an artificial light source is directed onto water – perhaps a pool, fountain or babbling artificial brook – active reflections will dapple the surrounding walls and become an interior design feature. Sunlight may shine through the branches of a tree to create moving patterns of light and shade below, and similarly a low-voltage uplight, positioned behind indoor plants, can create beautiful interior design features on the walls and ceilings. This technique can be stunning both inside and outside the building.

In my next article, I turn to patterns that use perforations and glass.




About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.

Written on September 3rd, 2010 , Interior Design Tags: , , , , , , , ,

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