Lighting Design: How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting - Part III

Clients will often employ Interior Design Consultancies because they crave a touch of flair, and because they need some professional help with style and coordination. In this three-part series which I call "How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting," I draw on my experience working with some of London's top lighting design experts to explain how feature lighting may be a critical part of giving clients the results they desire.


Three-dimensional objects, such as flower displays or glassware, have unique lighting requirements. Interior design consultancies will choose to make these backlit, silhouetted or thrown into relief. Other options include lighting from one direction for surface texture or cross-lighting for a truly three-dimensional effect. When lighting a bowl of flowers or a decorative object or sculpture, interior design consultancies rely on the same principles as for picture lighting. Spotlights may be appropriate for all three, but certain sculptures may require the light to be directed at special angles. Interior design consultancies will often employ lighting specialists to focus specifically on this part of the design effort.


Glassware is beautifully responsive to illumination. Interior design consultancies are sometimes asked to showcase frosted glass objects, in which case downlighting will make the ornament look as if it is capturing the light as if illuminated from within. Some of the most progressive London interior design consultancies will recommend fibre optic sources from below, for eye-catching splendour and real visual impact.


To build mood, interior design consultancies will sometimes use backlighting to make an object look silhouetted. Some high-end London clients have their own collections of bronze pieces or sculptures that feature clean-cut shapes. The result is vibrant and engaging, as the backlighting showcases the two-dimensional within the three-dimensional whole.


With fabulous lighting, interior design consultancies can allow alcoves or bespoke shelving to take on a ornamental charm, as a focal point alongside the objects on display. Shelf lighting is important everywhere - even in a London kitchen or cloakroom, a touch of designer light can make even a prosaic set of glass bottles or shimmering stones into an engaging feature.


That brings to an end this series of articles called "How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting." Thank you for joining me to learn about how some of London 's top interior design consultancies think about illumination in their designs!



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

Lighting Design: How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting - Part II

Clients will often employ Interior Design Consultancies because they crave a touch of flair, and because they need some professional help with style and coordination. In this three-part series which I call "How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting," I draw on my experience working with some of London's top lighting design experts to explain how feature lighting may be a critical part of giving clients the results they desire.


Interior design consultancies rely on three types of spotlight - surface-mounted, track-mounted or fully recessed into the ceiling. Spotlights ordinarily cast a narrow cone of light, but they can be muted or relaxed through the use of lenses. Interior design consultancies will specify speciality UV-blocker lenses to protect old paintings, valuable pictures or prized artwork purchased from London's top auction houses. Some of London's best interior design consultancies will deliberately use spotlights on thicker paintings that feature substantial texturing in order to make them look more dramatic. Any reflections from a glazed frame will be minimized when the interior design consultancy uses the spotlight specifically as an uplighter.


In some luxurious London residences, it may be appropriate for the interior design consultancy to recommend the most sophisticated type of feature lighting, namely the framing projector. This can be used to spectacular effect when illuminating paintings, prints and photographs. It can also be ideal for sculptures, especially in cases when direct lighting may be too aggressive due to its sharp shadows. The interior design consultancy will install the framing projector so as to focus only on the object itself, with no shadow appearing on the wall behind and no spill of light beyond the object. London interior design consultancies will employ a framing projector to create an effect whereby a picture seems to be illuminated as if by magic from within. Sculptures will appear suspended theatrically in thin air. One note of caution: the interior design consultancy must select a suitably skilled master craftsman who will cut the copper shield that masks the light to exactly the correct shape. Some of London's top interior design consultancies have even been known to use this type of system in garden designs, with the projector housed in a waterproof securement.



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

Lighting Design: How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting - Part I

Clients will often employ Interior Design Consultancies because they crave a touch of flair, and because they need some professional help with style and coordination. In this three-part series which I call "How Interior Design Consultancies Use Feature Lighting," I draw on my experience working with some of London's top lighting design experts to explain how feature lighting may be a critical part of giving clients the results they desire.


Feature lighting is truly breathtaking when interior design consultancies use this type of illumination to bring focus to valuable or attractive possessions. Many London homeowners have a variety of these types of objects - including trophies, ornamental glassware, sculptures and ceramics. The interior design consultancy will work with the client to decide whether to showcase these objects alone or in groups, perhaps in bespoke glass cabinetry.


Feature lighting needs to be fine-tuned by the interior design consultancy in accordance with the object to be illuminated. Pictures, photos or paintings commonly require a "picture light." London interior design consultancies will often choose low-voltage halogen options with remote slimline transformers as a fashionable and versatile solution. Their sleek profile is a major benefit in smaller London residences. Interior design consultancies rely on halogen illumination because it is snow-coloured, avoiding the yellow tinge that is associated with tungsten alternatives. This results in improved colour temperature consistency. For best results, the interior design consultancy needs to choose a picture light that offers a good throw of illumination. This is directly impacted by the dimensions of the picture light arm. Professional interior design consultancies know that a beautiful London-designed short-armed picture light which is ultraslim and sophisticated will only be suitable for the smallest picture.


Interior design consultancies will specify that picture lights should be secured right next to the frame, or even onto the frame itself. In low-ceilinged London residences, wall-mounted lights can be a little impractical. Accordingly, interior design consultancies will conduct initial dimensional studies to make sure that the light will illuminate the picture, rather than the adjacent wall.



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

London’s Interior Design Consultancies

Floor coverings are critical to the work of many of London’s interior design consultancies. My floor covering philosophy is fairly straightforward, so I thought I would share it on this blog posting.

Marble: Interior design consultancies should consider this option for a high-end luxurious reception area in an extravagant London office, for example. Durable and easy to clean, marble gives a highly sophisticated feel that top London executives often crave.

Wood: Less expensive than marble, but still easy to clean and somewhat durable. A great choice for interior design consultancies that need to create a classic, timeless look.

Carpet Tile: Perfect for situations where affordability is essential and exceedingly high traffic is expected. An interior design consultancy may consider carpet tile for the foyer of an industrial park building outside London or in the suburbs. Tiles can be easily cut to shape to cover even unusual floor patterns. Interior design consultancies should advise the client that individual carpet tiles can be readily removed and replaced should they become soiled. Another benefit: interior design consultancies can specify the use of underfloor cabling with carpet tile, which can be a real practical boost.

Broken Paint: An interior design consultancy would be well-advised to choose this option for a low-end pizzeria restaurant with family appeal, perhaps somewhere off an A-road in South London.

Interior Design Consultancies Often Complain that....

Interior Design Consultancies often complain that container units in lacquered oak are hard to find in London. Stackable, flexible units are even more elusive. That’s why I was so delighted when I discovered Flat 256 by Piero Lissoni for use in a luxury residential project that was overseen by our interior design consultancy. The 1999 design is simple, straightforward, modern and totally vibrant. Many London interior design consultancies crave fresh, contemporary furniture options - and this one is right on target!

Each container unit is 90 cm wide. Interior design consultancies can choose any of the following attractive surface finishes, perfect to complement even the most non-standard decor:

- Dark-stained oak

- Gloss lacquered white

- Gloss lacquered red

- Gloss lacquered grey

- Gloss lacquered brown

- Matte lacquered white

- Matte lacquered black

In terms of storage options, the possibilities are excellent. Our interior design consultancy recommends the following three popular configurations, all of are practical for most London residences:

- Two doors

- Three drawers

- One big drawer and a tray for bottles

The container unit tops can have their own distinctive look. Interior design consultancies can choose from three attractive options:

- Dark-stained oak

- White painted glass

- White carrara marble

Each unit has a height (including feet) of 60 cm. But the best part: each unit is completely modular and stackable. The interior design consultancy can create mega-units up to three levels tall for a total height of almost 180 cm. The tops are manufactured separately and can be as wide as three units in order to accommodate wider modular storage designs, ideal for interior design consultancies creating schemes for London basement apartments, for example.

Interior Design Consultancy Works

I was surfing the web the other day in order to do some research on kitchen design philosophies for one of our interior design consultancy’s current projects in London. I was intrigued to find all sorts of recommendations for how to think about kitchen design. I thought I would recap some of the best suggestions here – but with my usual focus on London residences, and adding a few time-tested tips drawing on the experience of our interior design consultancy!

1. Just because it is possible doesn't mean that you should do it! Sometimes our interior design consultancy works with a client who is desperate to make major structural changes to a kitchen. Such a reconfiguration may be possible (and London’s master plumbers never lack creativity!) but rather expensive, without promising any compellingly spectacular improvements. In such cases the interior design consultancy should suggest less radical alternative options for a refreshed look.

2. Kitchen workflow is key. The interior design consultancy should ask the client multiple questions. Will the residence be filled with food connoisseurs or London fine dining enthusiasts? Does the main cook of the household crave a luxury baking station, a stowage zone for fine teas, or a temperature-controlled section for speciality beverages?

3. Think about usage scenarios. The interior design consultancy should consider whether the kitchen will double as an entertainment space for guests during parties. Few London residences are large enough to accommodate an entire gathering in a kitchen, but the interior design consultancy should find out whether the kitchen will need to function as a spillover zone during especially large reunions or celebrations.

Interior Design Consultancies or Independent Designers Compete to Create The Best Interiors

Interior design consultancies are more in the public eye than ever. Top design shows on the BBC and ITV attract major television audiences, and the public loves the reality-style competition format in which several interior design consultancies or independent designers compete to create the best interiors. But what these shows often fail to focus on is storage. To be honest, some London flats can be a bit cramped and, although clients crave spaces in which to luxuriate, they also often demand that our interior design consultancy provide creative space-optimising storage solutions to match their lifestyles. Increasingly, Londoners are turning to interior design consultancies to create valuable storage areas that enhance the net worth of their homes, while also showcasing their clothing and providing extra "retreat space" that they can be proud of. The best London interior design consultancies recognise this and will include functional accessories such as lift-down swing rods, extendable tie racks, bespoke jewellery receptacles and slideout undergarment zones.

Purview of Interior Design Consultancies Everyday Work

I don't blog very often about garden design, but I have mentioned elsewhere that I consider exteriors to be very much within the purview of interior design consultancies everyday work. Exterior lighting can be incredibly important in this regard. Some large London gardens really benefit from a wide range of understated effects that add interest and bring out the best look. I know of interior design consultancies that specialise in all sorts of exterior garden illumination techniques – from marbled moonlight effects to coloured uplighters that emphasise the gnarled bark of an ancient beech tree. Interior design consultancies use these exterior garden lighting schemes to reinterpret the layout of a landscape, creating depth and texture to highlight focal points, in order to bring joy to London dinner guests who appreciate the garden’s beauty and splendour.

Interior Design Consultancies Will Add Interest by Texturising The Paintwork

Sometimes my interior design consultancy proposes a scheme to a London client that features many tones of white. Some clients react in alarm, concerned that the result may feel frigid or uninspired. But top interior design consultancies recognise that different whites, creams, ivories and snow colours can help create fabulously intricate patterns. Many contemporary London interior design consultancies specialise in creating bright, tranquil and practical luxury – and the multi-tone white approach really allows the light to take over and dance throughout the space. London wintertimes are not exactly the brightest times of year, so designs that maximise natural light often come at a premium. Interior design consultancies will add interest by texturising the paintwork or using high-gloss coats to create extra shimmer and gleam.

Interior Design Consultancies Will Sometimes Incorporate a Replica Davenport as a Miniature

Recently I was honoured to be invited to contribute some material on the davenport desk, a remarkable piece of eighteenth-century British furniture, and one that is still appreciated by many of London’s top interior design consultancies today. The origins of the name are unknown, but it seems to be linked with a 1792 accounts book that includes “Captain Davenport” as a listing. The main alternative to the davenport was the ladies’ boudoir – it was fashionable in the day but is no longer practical for interior design consultancies in the 21st century. The davenport became especially popular among the fashionable young ladies of London in the 1800s. The upper part forms a desk that pulls forward to slide over the knees when extended; underneath are drawers to hold writing equipment and paper. Today, interior design consultancies will sometimes incorporate a replica davenport as a miniature laptop workstation in a scheme that demands an authentic sense of London’s interior design history. I too hope that our interior design consultancy will have the opportunity to use this fabulous piece of furniture in some of our future work!

How Interior Design Consultancies Handle Feature Lighting in Bathrooms

Lately I've had to think creatively about how interior design consultancies handle feature lighting in bathrooms. One of my London projects required that our interior design consultancy create a speciality lighting concept to transform a bathroom from a fresh, workaday zone in the morning to a tranquil and restful sanctuary by night. Fortunately our interior design consultancy has heaps of creativity when it comes to lighting! We decided to use narrow-beam halogen illuminators to focus in on a collection of pebbles that are artfully placed adjacent to the bathtub. To add pizzazz, our interior design consultancy also placed a directional lighting array over the basin, so that the clean white light will create extra glitziness as it glances across the water. There are all sorts of philosophies on how to do lighting designs, but in the end it's all about results - and our design ended up being right on target!