Where fashion meets function

The trend in lighting is moving towards more elegant, unique and distinctive fixtures that flow with the decor of the interior.

Lighting is an important part of designing interiors. It not only adds drama to a space, but also creates the mood and the focus. "What melody is to music, lighting is to the interior," says Mae Demetillo, Senior Interior Designer, Interiors Department, Artec (Architectural and Engineering Consultants). According to Demetillo, lighting can alter the perception of a room. There are many types of lighting that are used according to function. Ambient lighting (hidden lights that wash the room with a glow), accent lighting (fixtures that highlight paintings or sculptures and other objects of interest thereby making them focal points in a room), task lighting (lights that focus on specific areas of activity such as reading, writing, cooking etc), aesthetic lighting (purely decorative lights that are never used alone, but accompanied by other light types) and natural light or daylight can all be used to change the look and feel of a room.

Planning lighting

Interior designer Michael Clattenburg of Michael Clattenburg Interiors LLC says lighting must be considered as part of the functional aspects of planning an interior. "Lighting cannot be one of the last areas. It should be planned at exactly the same time you are planning where to place the sofas. Many contractors just install a general lighting of spotlights in many areas of a home or office without actually knowing the furniture layouts or the functions of the room.

As a result there is too much light and the room is over lit, losing much of its charm." For instance, interior lighting design must be approached differently for the bedroom than for any other room in the house. Since the main purpose of the bedroom is to give the mind and body some rest, the lighting should set the tone for winding down and relaxing after a long, hard day, while also providing well-lit areas for reading and other common boudoir tasks. Dimming is an important option here so that the brightness can be changed to suit the mood or activity level.

Ceiling fixtures and chandeliers provide good general illumination, making it easier to dress and undress and see into drawers and closets. Recessed lights and wall sconces can help to accomplish this as well. Wall lamps, with handy swing arms, can be placed on either side of the bed to provide good light for reading. They also offer the benefit of leaving nightstands free for other things such as alarm clocks, books and reading glasses. Bedroom closets can be lit using recessed or flush-mount lighting, while a dressing table becomes more efficient with the addition of a lighted magnifying mirror.

"There are so many ways that I try to use lighting to enhance the effect that I am trying to create in a room. Some of the ways are installing dimmers on all lighting and that sometimes includes table lamps. People should try to experiment with different colour bulbs. I have used amber colour bulbs in a chandelier in a dining room, and at night the light is so beautiful and warm. Lighting must be thought through carefully in order to achieve a good feel," says Clattenburg.

Of late, the thematic trend of lighting for both residential apartments and commercial spaces has been an interesting development. According to Demetillo, "In both residential and commercial spaces, we have a lot of themed interiors ranging from minimalist to Moroccan, and they are all very exciting and the lighting design goes with this flow. These days, it seems we are seeing a lot more than simple light fixtures. It's more about style and less illumination.

There is a strong combination of fashion and function where we see a contrasting mixture of design elements and materials. For instance, silk shades with wrought iron, brushed nickel top with floral pattern, classical design created in modern materials such as fibreglass and many others. Traditional lightings are still at the forefront of the market, but they are cleaner in lines. Even contemporary light designs are less eclectic, as the growing demand for eco-friendly fixtures such as energy saving lamps become the mainstream ideal. The trend is moving towards more elegant, more unique and distinctive light fixtures that flow with the decor of the interiors more than just the glow."

Karsten Vierke, Country Group Manager, Philips Lighting Middle East and Africa, says functional lighting is more applicable for areas such as corridors and lobbies, while decorative lighting is more suited for entrances and waiting areas to create a welcoming ambience. "Light not only ensures visibility and security, it also creates atmosphere and influences our moods. Philips supplies a full range of lamps that help enhance the home environment and minimise energy consumption. LED solutions can also be used for home decoration. With LED lighting products we can arrange our home to suit our needs spontaneously, creatively and individually. Light and colour play a special role here, making the home romantic and bright with the use of light accents or coloured light."

When designing interiors, Clattenburg says, the light should be distributed around the room and not just in the centre or by the main sofa set. "Most people want soft, comfortable lighting that does not shine directly into our eyes," he says. What is important to remember is that different spaces have different functions and these functions dictate how we should apply our lighting treatment. For instance, as Demetillo says: "Driveways and the main entrance should be warm and welcoming and light fittings should be low level and energy saving since they are left on all night. Foyers and hallways need to have a moderate level of warm lighting for warmth and comfort because when you come in from the darkness outside or are going out from the brighter inside, your eyes need to adjust to these levels of lighting. Kitchens these days are multifunctional areas and it's best to have general lighting illumination for these areas. Bedrooms can benefit from the warm and cosy lighting, but we still need some functional lighting available when we need to go through our wardrobe closet. For study and home office/library, desk lamps or floor lamps can be used. Lighting in dining areas can range from functional to subtle warm lights for those family get-togethers or supper parties."