Lights, Camera, Action!

Often used to accentuate a space or merely blend in unobtrusively, lighting is a critical though often overlooked element in design and home décor.

"Proper lighting can transform a home from a dull environment into a very warm and inviting space," says Laurence Dehlen, sales manager, Purity LLC. "Accentuating beautiful architectural features or pathways could create more interest in your home." Lighting is all about creating moods. "While you need brighter, natural lighting during the day, more tranquil options with dimming and cleverly lit features work well to enhance the magic of romance at night."

Nissa Nensey, managing director, Al Huzaifa Furniture LLC, believes lights are the baseline of drama. "They set the mood and create both a visual and an emotional ambience. Romance, playfulness, nostalgia or brisk practicality - name it and you can create it with light."

"Great lighting can also have a profound positive effect, not only on the interior architecture of a space, but also on the people within that space - their state of mind, their well-being, and even their productivity," says Paul Gregory, principal designer at New York-based Focus Lighting. Ken Ventry, head residential designer adds, "Lighting is one of the key components that define the atmosphere in a home. It can be as simple as selecting a series of perfect decorative lamps to thoughtfully define the functions of the home; a bright accent at the study desk, a soft glow surrounding the living room, or even a bright sparkle above the dining room from a crystal chandelier."

Romanian architect and designer Andreea Avram Rusu believes that lighting transforms space. "It is the single greatest determinant of how a space feels. The light object itself is a sculpture that participates in this process of creating and altering a space. Therefore, when choosing lighting for the home, make sure it is not an afterthought. Lighting, colour, furniture, fabrics, carpets and accessories should all be conceived as an ensemble."

Professional architectural lighting designer Maurizio Rossi offers an interesting perspective on how lighting transforms the home. "We ‘see' what is illuminated with our eyes, and after processing it in our brain, we finally perceive it mostly through our psyche," he says. Assuming, that ‘seeing' is a fundamentally psychological process, lighting, therefore, must be studied by understanding the psyche of the client. "The lighting designer's scope is to try to make the client perceive the environment that he ‘sees' with natural light during the day, into the same environment that has been ‘dressed' for the evening," explains Rossi.

Even though the perception of space is extremely important when choosing a particular light structure, you nevertheless need to ask yourself what light already exists in the area, natural or artificial. "Also consider what ambience you are trying to achieve - cosy, funky or office space?," says Roberta Vitadello, designer of Italamp, a brand that is showcased at Selva in Dubai. "As the lighting industry becomes more diverse, so do ideas about lighting spaces," she notes.

Lamberto Scalabrin of Prandina, an Italian brand that retails at Debbas Electric in Dubai, comments on light efficiency currently becoming the main target for all lighting manufacturers. "Great performance, environment-friendly materials, efficient and practical design are common to most design lighting fixtures," he says.

According to Binoy Chacko, buyer Homewares, Home Centre, "With consumers waking up to the idea of environment-friendly products, eco-friendly lighting is brightening the day for eco-conscious homemakers in the UAE.

A popular and growing trend is to use natural light during the day and dimmer switches at night, keeping energy usage down to a minimum. Homeowners are also resorting to automated lighting to reduce additional wastage." Home Centre will soon be launching a new range of solar-powered lighting products that are virtually maintenance free, easy to install, involve no running costs and provide six to 12 hours of light depending on the amount of sunlight received during the day.

As the need to save energy is driving the trend in lighting, John Cullen is staying one step ahead by introducing a raft of new fittings that incorporate LEDs and compact fluorescents. The company's rather subtle approach to lighting is fast gaining popularity. In fact, less-is-more is the buzzword at present.

Eco-friendly bulbs and fixtures are all the rage now, according to Thomas and Ewa Lundgren of THE One. "Think natural and organic products, such as wood, bamboo and vines, used as bases for lamps. Otherwise, the focus is on lampshades - big lampshades in an assortment of textiles and bold colours." This season, THE One is offering a choice of unusual uplights, round pendant lamps, chic chandeliers, retro table lamps made from plexiglass, Moroccan-inspired lanterns, funky floor lamps and more.

The first trend direction, according to Steve Jones and Russell Cameron, co-founders of Innermost, is a return to a technical aesthetic. "Tie by Peter Mac Cann uses the natural materials glass and aluminium in a carefully considered form." The second trend direction is contemporary but highly decorative. "Such as Beads and White/Black by Winnie Lui, and even Buckle by creative director Tina Leung. These styles are the essence of a trend that blends lighting with sculpture."

While agreeing that the focus on ecology and energy saving is leading to more low-consumption and non-polluting lamps, Roberta adds,"The dominant trend in colour is white, with colourful table and ceiling lights placed here and there. There is also a shift towards sculptural as lighting is used more as a feature than a function. They accessorise rather than just light up a space."

Nissa notices a shift from minimalism to flamboyance and effusive expression. "Linearity is giving way to curves, arcs and flourishes," she says, "and the chandelier is back with a bang!" Helen Gifford, founder and designer of HelenBilt, believes that chandeliers are the ultimate jewellery for the home. Though they are typically the last pieces purchased, she suggests decorating a room around the lighting scheme.

"Large crystal or Rocco design chandeliers are now in vogue and blend beautifully in a modern or contemporary décor," says Hameed Khawaja, visual merchandising manager, Homes R Us. "But remember that chandeliers are largely decorative, not functional."

For Swarovski, everything begins with the crystalline phenomenon in the cultural fantasy it produces and the unlimited possibilities of crystal as a creative material. Werner Baumgartner, managing director of Swarovski Middle East says, "We continually explore options for new creative possibilities. The colour of a stone can also lead to new and unexpected applications. The precision-cut crystal in the halogen wall-mounted version of Madison conjures fascinating light reflections and refractions, while the bold crystal elements in the Madison LED pendant luminaire make this a decorative interior object as well as an optimal source of illumination."

"A common mistake by homeowners is mishandling scale. Small chandeliers are often hung in large spaces leading to a lack of balance," says Neel Shukla of Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery that specialises in decorative lights.

Paul Gregory recommends highlighting the most critical elements in a room with various light sources. "These layers of light reflect our concept of how nature provides light. "Designing with this method results in a welcoming atmosphere and a comfortable space to function in."

Nissa sums it up nicely. "Lighting is like makeup. It can accentuate, it can downplay. It can highlight, it can conceal. What is important is to choose smartly."