Cape Town - The illumination of a home is often an afterthought – and a way to penny pinch at the end of a build project when budgets have been stretched to their maximum.
But the impact of good lighting cannot be overstated and it is an aspect of home design that needs consideration from the design stage in order to ensure the correct electrical points and an abundance of natural lighting.
The harnessing of natural lighting is an art in itself, but when the sun sets, artificial radiance is the key to ambiance and accessibility. Lighting also entails a selection of layering of various techniques creating scenes in the home to augment the visual appeal and highlight the décor aspects.
“An effective way to maximise the appearance and functionality of any space in your home is to light in layers. Multiple light sources help to visually balance a room by minimising glare and shadows, while adding depth and dimension. A layered lighting design will make use of a variety of different light fittings – from downlighters and recessed lighting to pendants and chandeliers, strip lighting and wall lights. Finally, one can add floor and table lamps,” says Melissa Davidson, director of the Lighting Warehouse.
Independent HOME takes a look at top light trends for 2015 and gives you advice on how to create layers with the latest styles of lighting.
Task Lighting
A targeted beam is often required to undertake particular tasks, such as cooking and reading, putting on your make-up, etc. It functions to illuminate a space but needs to be glare-free and to eliminate any eye-strain. The types of globes and fittings include spotlights, undercounter lighting, as well as study desk lamps and floorlamps.
Accent lighting
Davidson says use if accent lighting is a key tool to instilling atmosphere and highlighting areas where key objects are situated or used as an atmospheric tool to focus the eye on a specific area. Examples of accent lighting include picture lights, wall sconces and wall washers, adjustable spotlights and floor-standing uplighters.
Ambient lighting
Downlighters fitted into the ceiling are more and more popular as they assist with atmospheric illumination. New style integrated ceiling lights are moving toward the use of a single LED globe instead of the four-lamp bulbs as this creates a diffused effect that creates a warmer atmosphere. The cooler globes tend to play up the colours making greys even more grey, according to Laird Adam, director of Diva Luce lighting consultants.
The control of ceiling down lighters means they are important tools for adjusting atmospheric lighting so they remain ideal installations for living areas that require intermittent task radiance and sociable ambiance. They require a good, independent central control source according to Adam. “You can’t have an automated source that turns on everything at once – you must be able to dim an area.”
Architectural lighting
Adam has noted an increase in the appeal of large, feature lighting pieces. “Home owners are prepared to spend more on a one-off piece and stand out, to be different.”
He says the two competing brands for making a statement are Flos and Artimede. Each of them have a signature style, with designs that date to the seventies but are still popular.
Davidson agrees. “Large-scale statement light fixtures, comprising a cluster of multiples or a single striking style, can shake up an entire room. Lighting is increasingly becoming a focal point and can be as important as art, furniture or an interior paint palette. Lighting can also dictate the entire personality or mood of a space.”
Emergency globes
An exciting new product is the emergency globe – a standard looking bulb that remains on when the power supply is cut. Davidson explains: “It can be used as a normal LED globe in a light fitting for example in your floor, desk or table lamp.
When the power goes off, it switches on automatically for up to two to three hours. While the globe is fitted in a normal light fitting and the power is on, the batteries inside the globe will charge.
This particular globe gives off a cool white colour and boasts a 4 Watt consumption for optimum energy efficiency and longevity as it uses 90 percent less energy compared to a traditional incandescent globe, and lasts for approximately 20 000 hours.
The niftiest feature is that you can take this globe out of your light fitting when the power goes off and extend its base and it will transform into a torch that you can walk around with especially during loadshedding.
Tips on what is trending
The top 7 trends according to our experts:
1. Organic glow
Adam says his clients are more inclined to the natural fabrics – something organic that can be seen as an object of inspiration. Recently, the use of an exposed filament globe in its raw state has emerged as a strong décor tool but Adam says this is a trend that is likely to fade quickly.
The bunching of interesting lamps was a key design tendency at this year’s Decorex. Grass lamps and recycled items offer colourful alternatives to store-made chandeliers. “Transitional styles are very much in vogue at the moment, so lighting that has some kind of industrial or vintage edge is gaining traction.”
2. Putting the brake on Automation
Adam says the increased use of smart technology has meant that lighting control and effects are now being widely managed through the means of a central board that encompasses a brain. Dimmer options and lighting scenarios can be managed from a chief automation point.
“Automated lighting invigorates the design features of a home but home-owners need to be careful not to over-spec or capitalise on automation that might give them problems later.” After seeing many build projects, Adam suggests that the connectivity and circuits should be designed first and only then the automation.
3. Energy efficiency
Quick source management of the electrics in a home is increasingly important with the South African climate of load shedding. A “dinner” button can instantly transform a kitchen and living area into an atmospheric reception room for dinner guests. But the “sleep” or “energy” button can ensure the switch off of all lights and electrics in rooms not used while sleeping to aid in the preservation of electricity. The electrical management panels can also incorporate other household functions such as air-conditioners, underfloor heating and fans.
4. Outdoor lighting
“South Africa boasts one of the loveliest climates in the world, and as such, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to incorporate their home’s outdoor areas into their everyday lifestyle – outdoor patio lighting offers the ideal solution. A well designed outdoor lighting scheme can extend the usable hours of any garden – no longer will outdoor activities such as entertaining al fresco, swimming, dining or just relaxing on the patio be curtailed when the sun sets,” says Davidson.
5. Soft cell
“New LED channel lighting provides the same amount of light as T8 fluoresecents, but use half as much energy. They also give off a glare-free illumination thanks to the built-in opal diffuser which softens the output,” says Davidson. They can be installed in the same way as traditional fluorescent lighting. Lightweight and compact, they offer a slim design which makes them almost imperceptible. They can last up to 30 000 hours.
Diva Luce offers a range of recessed dimmers that boast an anti-glare effect thanks to the thinner frames which provide a muted light.
6. Indirect lighting
Adam says with the South African lifestyle of open-plan living, the trend to install bulk-heads with indirect lighting is strong. “They create separate spaces that divide up the room and help to break the large expanses.”
7. Virtual skylights
LED skylights also function as elegant overhead brighteners, giving the effect of a skylight but using the same technology as the LED channel lighting. Available in round, square and elongated panels, they are fitted in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens to open up the space with their quiet glow.
“The LED virtual skylight is a must for dark domestic spaces,” says Davidson.
Samantha Hartshorne, Weekend Argus