Little Book of Lighting – Designer Lighting Company

Light is an essential energy that all life thrives and depends upon. We notice this in expressions such as, shining your light, being bright and the enlightenment, which all nod to the importance of light in our world.

Light governs our circadian rhythms and emotions. It can make you feel relaxed, or alert. Influencing our feelings and mood. Light in interior design is an important consideration because it affects our perception of colour and texture. Choosing the right lighting is key to successful interior design. Lighting is so much more than something which allows you to see. It sets the tone and atmosphere of a room. We’ve all been somewhere that hasn’t got the lighting right for the setting, it feels uncomfortable and awkward. Don’t worry this little book of lighting is here to help.

Newton’s discovery of light as a spectrum of colour has changed the way we understand light and colour. Why the sky is blue or an apple green is because the light hitting the object absorbs all colours except blue or green. Light is a fascinating thing indeed. Lighting is an uplifting and artistic element of a room. Designer lighting pieces are works of art, designed by pioneers and leaders in their field.

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Evolution of Light Bulbs

Before electric light, there was only fire or light from the sun. This was followed by animal fat and wax, then gas lamps later in the Victorian era.

The Victorians adored decoration with their own distinctive style of chandelier they called “gasoliers”, though they often blackened the walls and ceilings. The invention of the electric incandescent light bulb was such a good idea, we now call good ideas, light bulb moments.

Edison’s light bulb moment

Edison’s invention (1878) of the commercial, incandescent light bulb has transformed our day to day lives. Lighting is still evolving. Legislation means, now, we should all be using LED light bulbs, due to their efficiency, where no energy is lost as heat. There are many advantages that make sense for your pocket and planet.

Since the first type of LED was made. LED lights now come in a variety of colour temperatures. So what is a lumen? colour temperatures? and colour rendering index?

Lumens

Lumens sometimes seen as (lm), tells you how bright a light is. This is a better indication of how bright LED lights are as watts measure the energy, while lumens measure the brightness. The amount of brightness needed in a room does largely depend on which room you are lighting, kitchen’s and studies will require more for example than bedrooms, or hallways.

Lumens measure something called luminous flux, which is essentially the light cast in all directions. A lux on the other hand is how well light reflects from a surface. This will be of particular importance when lighting an office space. We suggest here you use a lighting consultant who can help with this, so you meet regulations. They will measure the lux with a lux meter. Which measures how the light falls and reflects from a surface.

You may have seen foot candles being mentioned on your search for lighting. Hang on, what’s a foot candle when its at home? Well, this is a word that lighting professionals use, mostly for lighting large outdoor spaces and businesses. This looks at the light intensity and how far the light travels, one square foot from the light source itself.

But for now, we will look at room, a liveable kind of light for your home and roughly how many lumens is recommended. This is of course a general guide.There are lots of factors at play. A black painted room for example will absorb a lot more light than a white room. While reflective materials, such as chrome, mirrored and polished finishes, such as high shine floor will bounce the light back. Antique brass and matt surfaces will dapple light with a mottled glow.

Colour rendering index

A colour rendering index (CRI) tells you how well the light shows true colours of objects. The light from the sun is highest, so 100. The range is from 1-100. 1 being the lowest and 100 being the highest.

Colour Temperature

This is the colour of the light bulb itself. Colour temperature describes how warm or cool the appearance of a light bulb is. This is measured in Kelvins (K). For example, warm white or cool.

The kelvin scale here ranges from 1000 kelvin, yellow very warm to 10000K very cool.

There are plenty of LED light bulbs that give off a warm light. Very warm and warm light bulbs compliment warmer paint colours such as reds and oranges, whereas blue paint colours will appear darker. Cool light and daylight (5000k) enhances blues and flattens reds. In fact light bulbs are now a style in their own right and we have a beautiful creative, colourful and vintage filament choices in our accessories section.

What are the different layers of lighting?

General Lighting

The first layer is general light. This is commonly referred to as the “main light”, usually in the centre of a room, because that was the most effective point to light a room when people used to use gas lamps. It provides the overall illumination for the room. Bouncing light all around. You can use many lights, pendant lights, chandeliers or spot lights as your main light to soften the light cast.

Task Lighting

Task lighting does what it says on the tin. Illuminating tasks such as reading, cooking or craft. Task lights are free-standing floor lamps, table lamps, desk lights, and pendant lights that provide light for kitchen islands or a desk lamp in an office.

Accent Lighting

As its name suggests this type of lighting can be used to highlight areas. Such as wall lights or picture lights. Creating pools of light either to highlight a feature or create atmosphere. Typically, wall lights service this purpose. It can also be lights such as tinted glass coloured lamps, which diffuse the light beautifully and gently. Accent lighting can be a feature light in a garden which highlights a shrub.

How to Create a Lighting plan

Its simpler than you think. All rooms need a lighting plan. Essentially this is a combination of general, task and accent lighting. This is known as layering light. Layering light adds dimension, sets a mood and enhances the versatility of your space.

• Tip: Some interior colours and textures will reflect light in different ways. Like pale greens and lighter shades reflect more light than colours with a higher saturation which will absorb some light, therefore reflecting less light back to your eyes. Think about, what mood do you want to create? What will the room be used for? Perhaps it’s multi-purpose. Which is why having all three types of lighting is a good guide.

Light can be hard or soft. Hard light, such as just one main light in the middle of a room produces a sharp shadow whereas soft light is diffused. The material of the shade and natural light will impact this.

The key is lots of light layers, so, lots of different types of lighting, table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights, pendant lights is the secret to creating atmosphere.

Debunking Dimmable switches

Some lights are dimmable which is handy as you can control the levels of light in your room. However, you will need a bulb that is dimmable and a compatible dimmer switch. Each dimmer switch is given a minimum and maximum load, so make sure you account for lights which have more than one lamp holder to ensure it falls in this wattage bracket. You can replace non dimmable lights with dimmable ones but this is something you’ll likely need an electrician for. Some LEDs may require special switches (e.g trailing edge dimmer switch).

Caveat: do not not use non-dimmable lights in a dimmable circuit as this can cause damage.

Pendant Lights

What is a Pendant Light?

Pendant lights are usually a single light fitting. They suspend from the ceiling with either a cord, rod or chain. Pendant lights come in many different sizes, styles, materials and finishes. Glass, metal, ceramic, poly carbonate and wood effect to name a few.

Pendant lights are versatile and can providing task, general or accent light for a room, depending on finish, transparency, material.

Tip: Hang pendant lights in a cluster at various heights for a dramatic effect. Or, a row of three row at the same height, ideal for lighting over tables in dining rooms or kitchens. It’s best, though not essential, to use an odd number, so think in threes.

You can also hang pendants by the side of the bed, saving space on your bedside table. Mixing and matching pendant light styles has become popular and adds unique personality, style and architectural intrigue to a space. You can take advantage of vintage filament bulbs which are super trendy and stylish. they have become a style in their own right.

Take a look at our beautiful, designer pendant light selection.

In more recent times pendant lights and ceiling have been fitted with integral LED’s. Helping to save energy and running costs.

Can you replace recessed lighting with pendant lighting?

Sometimes removing recessed lighting can leave a hole in the wall. You’ll need to choose a ceiling rose or canopy that is large enough to cover it.

It makes sense to hire an electrician and ask them to remove your old light fitting and replace with a new one. Think about other lighting jobs around your home to make the most of the time.

How high do you hang pendant lights over an island?

As a rule of thumb pendant lights should hang between 76 to 91 centimetres from a table or island. Your height and the height of the ceiling factor into the equation too.

Can you adjust the height of your pendant light to fit your ceiling?

Yes. Most pendant lights can be shorted but at the point of installation, allowing you to make sure it’s a good fit for your ceiling height. If you would like to shorten as existing pendant light you would need to take it down first.

All lights that are fitted to ceilings are known as ceiling lights. We have a range of top-quality designer ceiling lights waiting to make your home, your dream home.

If you are looking for more than a single light or a ceiling light with many arms, then you’ve found it here. We have ceiling lights and chandeliers which branch out into space, making a beautiful addition and style statement to any room. There are a range of styles, colours and finishes for you to choose and range broadly speaking from traditional to modern styles. Think classic mid century sputnik designs, or milky white opal glass globe style lights, whose arms branch out into space.

Chandeliers are one of the first forms of lighting by use of candles in the medieval era.

The various styles, still popular today, represent an evolution of styles that capture each historical period. Each epoch leaving its mark, adopted for today with contemporary and luxurious colour palettes.

The word chandelier originates from the French word “chandelle”, meaning candle, due to its original use with candlelight. Originally in regal, palatial or religious buildings, they have become popular for use in homes. They add elegance, opulence and statement style to master bedrooms, living rooms, foyers and reception areas, dining room tables or kitchens. Adding glamour, luxury and class to a setting.

What are the Different types of Chandeliers?

Traditional and Medieval Chandeliers

Medieval chandeliers designs are often in wrought iron or rustic wood. Featuring hoop shape designs. This style is still being made today with elements of modern finishes and with the use of LED light bulbs. Reminiscent of rich heritage and history. Bring majestic style into your home. Perfect for those who love traditional styles or have a period property and want to keep it in its original style.

Flemish Chandeliers

Flemish style as an art and lighting movement flourished throughout the 15 and 17th Centuries. representing a move away from rustic, towards high elegance and simple, yet ornate glamour.

Features such as a central sphere with upturned arms. They are a staple design for chandeliers and the Flemish design has stood the test of time, albeit re adapted. The beauty of Flemish chandeliers is you can display them in modern or traditional settings.

Antler Chandeliers

Rustic country looks like the decor you would find in a French ski chalet, country pub or home and are a great rustic-chic lighting choice. Evoking the beauty of the countryside indoors they look fantastic in older properties or add touches of French chalet style to more modern homes.  We have a beautiful, artisan replica stag antler chandelier range which can be found in our curation by David Hunt Lighting.

David Hunt Lighting designs light fittings from a workshop in the Cotswold’s countryside. Want to discover more about this heritage brand? Read our blog: Spotlight: David Hunt Lighting .

Crystal Chandeliers

Made from crystal or glass, crystal chandeliers do a great job to add eye catching features to rooms. They reflect, catch and sparkle light with a phantasmagorical effect. Reflecting and refracting light with dazzling shine. If you are a bit of a magpie and love glamorous touches that glisten you will love the value that a crystal chandelier will bring to your home or venue. Bringing luxury into your everyday, the reflections change dynamically and offer a different look at various times of the day.

Sputnik Chandeliers and Modern Chandeliers

Mid-century style lighting is iconic and instantly
recognisable. Chandeliers have strong, clean and bold lines. A less is more
attitude with asymmetry at its core. Sputnik style chandeliers feature bold
lines emanating from a central sphere have a space inspired aesthetic, known as
the atomic age. Equally poplar globe style chandeliers which often feature
intrinsic spherical shapes with milky white opal glass globes. Also known as
retro style lighting which is often made with modern finishes today. Evoking a
nostalgia with design elements taken from the 40’s-70’s for today’s interiors.

Modern and Contemporary Style Chandeliers

There are so many chandelier styles and the introduction of integrated LED technology has influenced designs, allowing a variety of shapes, sizes and styles that would have not been possible before. Think beautiful crystal encrusted chandeliers with simple, curved lines. Or cascading beads and glass framing and reflecting light.

How do you choose a chandelier?

There is a general rule of thumb about choosing the right size of A chandelier for your room. You don’t want a chandelier that’s far too small for the space as it will look out of place.

Width of room (feet) + length of room (feet) = diameter/width of chandelier (in inches)

Wall lights or sometimes called wall sconces, add to a room’s ambience and decoration, adding a soft wash of light. Choosing a style that you love helps you put your stamp on a house and makes it home. We have so many finishes from bright glossy painted colours, gently tinted glass, bright golden metallic, contemporary glass to a range of metallic or wooden effect choices, to name only a few. As all light allows you to see colour wall lighting can wash light softly up or down the walls and this illuminates your carefully chosen wall colours and interior design beautifully.

Wall lights are multi-functional provide accent lighting when placed beside or above artwork. You can also use wall lights that have task focused or directional light.

Wall lights can be placed to bring colour, paintings, sculptures and architecture to life. You can also mount wall lights at the bedside, one either side of the bed for symmetrical, balanced hotel chic look. Some wall lights are hard wired into your home or plug in.
Plug in wall lights don’t need to be “wired in” so perfect if you have an older
home and want a quick solution without the need for an electrician.

What Is The Best Height for Wall Lights?

The best height to place wall lights in general is 1.5m above floor level, or at eye level. This does depend of course on the purpose of a wall light. If you are illuminating artwork you will want to fit your wall light, or picture light in this case, slightly higher, above a feature. Bedside wall lights will also be lower to for the convenience factor, with the height reflecting their purpose. Wall lighting can also serve as a task light and if you’re choosing a wall light for reading or a specific function you may want to choose one with an adjustable or flexible head, so you can adjust the direction of the light source.

Double insulated lights can sometimes be referred to as class 2 lights. If your home was built before 1970 then it will not have an earth wire. Meaning you will need to choose lights that are “double insulated”, or class 2.  These lights are safe to install and use when your house has not been fitted with an earth wire.

If you’re looking for inspiration on which wall light to choose, read our blog: 10 of the Best: Living Room Wall Lights.

Table Lamps are a lighting essential; they help to add layers of light to all rooms. Allowing an overall diffused and balanced lighting effect. They can be used for different purposes. Such as ambient light by bedsides. Reading, for more of a direct light, or creating accent lighting to areas with soft, diffused light and shadow. All rooms in the home benefit from table lamps. Kitchens are becoming more sociable spaces for atmosphere lighting in the evening so having lighting that cover all situations is smart and practical. You wouldn’t need the same brightness of light as you would when cooking for example.

As a general rule, the combined height of the lamp and table should not exceed 58 to 64 inches, so that’s about 147 to 162 centimetres.

Choose a table lamp that reflects your personality and help to make your home tell a story about yourself. It will bring you moments of joy each day if you choose a style that you love, regardless of trend. They are so versatile you cannot have too many. Plus, as they’re plug in you can move them to different rooms in the home to keep things fresh. Bedside lighting offers a room an ambient light, reducing glare from the general lighting and enhances the mood and atmosphere of a room.

Choosing the right lamp for reading is key to focus whilst
studying and reducing eye strain while reading.

• Table lamps with flexible or adjustable heads allow you to adjust the direction of the light source which is helpful while studying or reading
• Make sure you have a variety of light sources in the room, so the light is distributed
• A wattage guide is around 50-60 Watts
• It largely depends on personal preference and time of day
• There are cultural differences and it depends what light your eyes are used to

Yes, your eyes need good light for reading to reduce strain
on the eyes. This can also be affected by the bulb chosen.

Table Lamp Finishes and Shades

The finish and shade of your table lamp effects the way the light is reflected and therefore the overall atmosphere. Chrome, silver metallic and lighter lampshade colour will reflect light clearly.

Warmer metallic finishes such as bronze or copper dapple the light with soft warm, golden glow. Saturated or darker colour shades will absorb light, pushing the light up and down and creating a more relaxing and ambient mood. Glass table lamps add touches of colour and shine with a special kind of lustre, catching the light and gleaming gentle glows of colour to a setting. We have some designer glass lighting from Ebb and Flow Lighting, with very original nature inspired palettes. Shop our Ebb and Flow lighting collection here: Ebb and Flow Lighting.

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