Lighting plays a major role in design —it’s an incredibly powerful tool, allowing you to set a particular mood, or create intrigue. We consider lighting from the very beginning of the design process.
A good lighting scheme should complement the surrounding architecture and set the right mood, without compromising on practicality. Nobody wants an unflattering light in the bathroom, or a dining room that lights guests like a stadium — but homes also have to be functional spaces. If you’re in the kitchen, you need light to cook; bathrooms should have direct, frontal light for makeup, while powder rooms benefit from a soft glow closer to candlelight.
There’s such a range of lighting now you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics for practicality. Part of our job is to overcome this issue, creating functional interiors that retain style.
Lighting doesn’t have to match the style of your architecture or furnishings. Our interiors merge pieces from different eras — a contemporary fixture might be displayed alongside a vintage chair or table, for example. It’s an approach that adds an extra layer of interest, or history, to a space.
Ideas for interior designs can come from everywhere. Here at Ashe + Leandro, we keep a visual archive of things that inspire us — from classic pieces by icons such as Castiglioni, to designs by artists and our peers. We are currently working on a custom light inspired by a recent trip to Kenya.
Christie’s is a prime resource for one-of-a kind pieces, though a design I’m particularly fond of is Pierre Giacomo Castiglioni’s Snoopy light, which sits on my desk at home.
There’s a science to lighting, especially when it comes to lighting artworks. Consider how lights are spaced, and the shadows they create. If in doubt, consult a lighting designer.
Getting lighting right isn’t just about fixtures. A large number of our designs incorporate warm LED lights that work with dimmer switches, which play a huge role in setting the mood of an interior.