fbpx
Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
09 Nov 16

10 simple lighting ideas that will transform your home

If you’ve been in the dark about the best way to light your home then allow me to illuminate you with the best ideas I got from my evening spent on the John Cullen Lighting master class. It’s like Harvard university for interior designers headed up by head girl of lighting Sally Story, and her team of lighting prefects. The group attending was 30 strong so they divided us in two to show us around their sexy showroom installations, including ‘the pod’. We witnessed a speed school lesson on the absolute mastery that can be achieved with light. There was lots of talk of layering textures, painting with light, creating illusions, depth, focal points and features. Who knew that the dismal pendant light was up against so much competition.

Kitchen lighting design, including pendants, spots and recessed lighting in a modern London kitchen, the home of John Cullen Lighting designer sally Storey

The fact that it was the best night out I’ve had in ages is both testament to how sad my social life is and what a total fanatic I am about interior design. The showroom is set on the west end of Londons Kings road nestled among plenty other glossy glassy interior design boutiques. There was a lot of grey marl cashmere and suede loafers on show last night. However the crowd was a mix of professional designers, self-builders and home renovators all thirsty to be shown the light.

Lighting is crucial to creating the right atmosphere in a bedroom. Soft recessed lighting, lamps and reading lights as well as feature lighting above the artwork, all designed by John Cullen lighting

I came away literally bursting with enthusiasm and excited at the new ideas that I can apply to our current annex project. It also made me realise there isn’t one light fitting in the correct position in my own house. However one of the attendees last night was queing up to ask Sally questions at (great opportunity to raid that talented design brain) and mentioned that she felt totally overwhelmed by the complexities of it all.

LED tape recesed inside joinery is the perect way to highlight objects and create a soft mood in the interior design

There is no doubt that if you employ a lighting designer, of the caliber of John Cullen lighting you are going to get a masterpiece. But there was oodles of great take away tips that I think could be easily employed in the average home. The evening demystified the ‘science’ of lighting and reminded me that, like everything great about interior design, it’s very much an art form (within the context of residential interiors).

Here are my top 10 light bulb moments from last nights master class that you could easily use in your own project.

  1. Rule number one of Lighting is it must be on a dimmer. Only utility rooms are the exception!
  1. Never ever position your down lighters in a grid across the center of the room. This is better known as Developers acne. They just accentuate the ceiling and the floor, which is rarely the highlight in any interior design scheme. Instead use the down lighters to highlight focal points. For example position around 150mm from the wall to highlight artwork or a textured wall. Use a beam spotlight over the dining or coffee table to highlight a tabletop arrangement.
  1. The most effective and flattering light for bathroom mirrors and dressing table areas is two wall lights, one either side. If you want to highlight the basin use a ceiling recessed spot directly above.
  1. In the kitchen position down lighters over the worktop and island, not in the standing areas, otherwise you’ll just cast shadows in the areas where you are trying to work
  1. Linen lampshades cast a much nicer glow to a room than card shades, which create hard shadows. Choose a naturally warm coloured shade to increase the glow
  1. In the bathroom position a down light above your towel radiator to highlight your towels. That soft fluffy texture is much needed in an otherwise hard space.
  1. Use the same manufacturer of LED bulbs in all your down lighters for continuity of colour. Use tungsten bulbs, if you can get them, in lamps for a warmer glow
  1. Large sliding or bifold doors are all the rage with modern extensions but just create a large black mirror at night. Place some outdoor lighting close enough to highlight the immediate area outside the glass, and by that you shift the focus through the glass and beyond.
  1. Make LED tape your friend. It’s affordable and easy to install and gives a gorgeous glow to joinery. Place it inside a recessed channel at the front to highlight books or at the back to highlight objects. Can also be added under kitchen shelves, above tall larder units or behind the headboard for backlit Hollywood glamour!
  1. Have your lighting on different circuits that can be controlled independently. This way you can have that bright ‘where the hell did I leave the keys’ light through to candle style, ‘don’t notice me smuggling a bar of chocolate onto the sofa’ low level lighting.

If you want to know more about how lighting can be employed to enhance an interior then I’d wholeheartedly recommend attending the Masterclass at John Cullen Lighting. At £35, including posh plonk and nibbles, it has to be the best value for money around. There is no hard sell and the John Cullen team are genuinely passionate about what they do and sharing their knowledge.

bathroom-lighting-john-cullen-lighting-1-e1456829166609

**Disclaimer: I was given free entry to the course by John Cullen Lighting. However the review is entirely my own opinion and I would have happily paid for it!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
Room Reveal: Purple and grey living room Autumn Apples

comments

Valery on 12.03.17

I completely agree with your ten rules Sophie, in particular #1 and #3. I’d better getting inspiration by #6, because the lights of my bathroom are not very functional, and since it’s a room without windows it could be the right fix.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 13.03.17

We’re just designing a very small bathroom with no view and its no less than 10 light fittings in it!

Reply
Daisy on 13.03.17

This is very useful. I’m doing a house renovation and I’ve been unsure about lighting – especially in the large open, plan kitchen diner. I like the look of pendants over the island but not sure whether down lighters would be more practical…or if you can have both.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 14.03.17

You can have both! That is what we are currently installing in our new annex project. The Lighting deisgn is by John Cullen so its really superb. I’ll be able to share it with you soon

Reply
Clara King on 15.03.17

Love these ideas. It’s amazing how much of a difference the right lighting can make.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 16.03.17

It’s a whole subject in its own right, but worth getting your head around. I’ve loved learning all the insights and will be using them on my own proprty

Reply
Mary on 31.08.17

Hi Sophie, fabulous article, thanks you! Did you get any tips on how to light a landing?

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 11.09.17

The tip I got for landings was not to place recessed lighting down the centre but off set it towards the edge- around 20cm from the wall. This way the light washes down the walls which is really effective

Reply

Leave a Comment

Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • DIY
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos

mailing
list

Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Bedlinen range

Shop

Colour Psychology for professionals

book your place!

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

We are back, it’s PODCAST DAY! After a little l We are back, it’s PODCAST DAY! After a little  lie down over Christmas Kate and I are rebooted and cuddled up inside our ‘duvet dens’ for remote recording Lockdown 3.0. . We have so much to catch up on including more ‘home office’ makeovers. Stop the press, Tom has finally been installed in his new green office that was previewed last series , pictured, and @mad_about_the_house is also having a complete reshuffle now that she has two large teenage sons living at home full time taking up all the space , and fridge contents by the sounds of it. 🍔. We discuss our exciting plans for the year ahead and share our thoughts on the trends for 2021. So for all this and more head on over to the podcast app and find us in The Great Indoors! 
CREDITS walls painted Sage and onion and windows in Lamp black @littlegreenepaintcompany . Blind made by @willowbertinteriors in Textile under Ekvatorn by Joseph Frank’s @svenskttenn . Table is old IKEA. Vintage Eames chair @vinestreetvintage Cushion @fannyshorter Seagrass flooring @alternativeflooring 
#thegreatindoors #podcast #interiorspodcast #wfh #homeoffice #greenroom #threemugs #desksetup #homestudio
How you doing? Just a reminder that while it might How you doing? Just a reminder that while it might appear like we are living the perfectly curated life  in these squares it’s a short swipe to reveal the reality! Lockdown has its unique stresses and I’m making a pact to be gentle on myself and everyone around me. Let me know what your coping strategies are right now. Mine today is makeup and big earrings. 
Thanks to @franklybold for this insanely fabulous pair . When times gets tough, the earrings just get bigger! #gift 

#colourlover #banthebeige #earrings #bigjwellery #bigearrings #lockdown #lockdownlife #lockdown2021
Friday! 🤩 It’s all about the small wins and Friday! 🤩 
It’s all about the small wins and I made it to the end of the week. But already 2021 has me feeling weary. I had such a lovely relaxing  Christmas break and this week has been full steam ahead with all kinds of 💩 thrown at me and I haven’t even started home schooling yet! 😫 But one thing that gave me a mood boost was dressing up in this magnificent gown from @las_ninas_textiles . I met fellow colour lover Nina on these squares and just adore her brand, her ethos and her fringe. Thank you Nina for your beautiful gift of colour joy! It really has shone a Latin rainbow on a dismal grey British week. This stunning indigo and huipil dress even has little threads of glitter running through it. 🌈 I’m pairing it with cosy leggings and my trusty @grensonshoes boots so I might never take it off! 
What do you do to cheer yourself out of the doldrums?

#gift #colourlover #banthebeige #lasninastextiles #haulternativefashion #sustainablefashion #colourlover #lasninastextiles #whomadeyourclothes #dresslikeyoudecorate #dresslikeyourhome #ihavethisthingwithcolour
Who’s back at their desk this week with big plan Who’s back at their desk this week with big plans for their home in 2021! I’m thrilled and excited that my online course Colour Psychology for interiors is open for enrolment TODAY! 🛎🛎🛎 By far the most popular course to date this is a deep dive into how colour works on a deeper more emotional level. Discover how to blend colour harmoniously in your schemes and understand which palettes are perfect for you. Because we all have very different connections to colour and design and finding out what your authentic palette and style is is fundamental to creating a home you love. I’ve spent years honing my own style but with this course you can nail it in a matter of weeks! And it’s a beautiful deep dive into self discovery and creativity while  helping you gain clarity, confidence and cut through the overwhelm. Because there is enough of that going around already! 🤪 I’ll be back here at 6pm tonight on an Instagram live to tell you more about the transformational power of Colour Psychology for interiors so please join me and ask any questions! Bring on the colour joy! 🌈🌈🌈

📷 @aluncallenderphoto #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #backtowork #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiorsesignschool #interiorsesignonline #houseofhackney #newyearnewhome #homegoals #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior #colourfulhomevibe #mycreativeinterior #nesttoimpress #stylishhomevibes #atmine
The year we stayed at home. 2020 has taught me to The year we stayed at home. 2020 has taught me to care and love the simple things. And in many ways I’m blessed that being at home is often just where I want to be. The year ahead still holds so many unknowns and managing fears, expectations and anxieties will continue to be part of the battle.  But making a house a home can really help us feel safe and grounded. So here are some beautiful flowers, and rainbow baubles that go towards making my home feel the best it can. How do you make your home feel extra special and bring a smile to your face 😊? 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto flowers @sageandco.floraldesign baubles @rockettstgeorge.co.uk lamp @pookylights walls in lazuli @zoffanyfw artwork @alexmayhughes 

#houseahome #colourlover #banthebeige #marchtothebeatofyourowndrum #homesweethome
This is becoming a habit! All dressed up and no wh This is becoming a habit! All dressed up and no where to go, AGAIN! Ha! Fairwell 2020! It’s been....an experience! Big love to all of you! I’ve LOVED hanging out with you all on these squares!🥰 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto  #colourlover #banthebeige #newyearseve #bye2020 #greatindoors #bbbinteriors 
Dress is @stinegoyastudio at @sirene.boutique ( bought last year)
Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas t Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas time, having long lie ins, reading loads, and on that subject currently ‘Think like a monk’ by @jayshetty is PERFECT right now for a mental reset. I’m resisting thoughts of 2021, of work or ‘real life’, for just a couple more days. I see lots of people clearing down the decorations and getting the house feeling fresh, but I’m keeping the twinkle a little longer. But I can feel the batteries are recharging and boy they needed too! I meant to do my yearly vision board today but couldn’t get motivated to do that either! . How are you all doing. Anyone feeling ready to take on the new year yet?  #tapfordetails 
.
.
.
#twixmas #newyear2021 #colourfulhomevibe #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #gidc #sodomino #credenza
All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reali All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reality I’m in my joggers peeling a mountain of root vegetables but living the dream on the grid just for you! Thanks so much for all of you who have spread the joy and magic of Christmas on these squares. I’ve loved the colour, the creativity and the joy it’s bought. Wishing you all a special Christmas however you are making it work for you, which probably wasn’t  what you’d ever have expected. A special heartfelt virtual hug going out to all of you struggling at this time. See you on the other side! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto . Garland by @sageandco.floraldesign . Dress @roksandailincic ( not an ad obvs but I know your gonna ask!) 

#christmasdecor #colourfulhomevibe #colourfulchristmas #banthebeige #colourlover #fireside #christmasgarland #christmasgarlanddecor #woodburner #countryliving #countrylife #countryinteriors
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!