Check out my related post—Design On Your Mind? https://tinyurl.com/5fph9nuw

What has the power to make or break your design? LIGHTING!

Shades of Light-Modern Cascadia Catalog 2023, https://tinyurl.com/ys4nsvbz

Color, ambiance, and safety of every space are dramatically affected by lighting choices. Simply changing light fixtures can have a surprisingly potent design impact.

However, results of a wholesale revolution in the lighting industry have exploded fixture choices and design effects. Fixture selection is now a bit more confusing and complex.

Much of this lighting industry rebirth was initiated by the US Federal government. Mandates over many years have led to more lighting innovations than historically dreamed possible. These developments have been primarily led by the invention and refinement of LED fixture designs.

Because the LED fixture light source, or lamp, is transformed in shape,  power connectivity, and heat generation, amazing design innovations have resulted, and continue to evolve. Light fixture designs are now more powerful and creatively inspired than ever before, with exciting almost limitless creative opportunities!

These new light fixtures are surprisingly energy efficient and are ideally long-lasting. I mention “ideally long-lasting” because many fixtures are manufactured with the bulb, or lamp, built-in, with no option to replace it. Most fixtures are rated with a number of hours life-span . You can call me a bit skeptical. Some limitations come with change.

MAXIMIZE SUNLIGHT… Natural light is always desirable, so maximizing windows is important. Sunlight transforms any space throughout the day! Morning, midday, sunset and evening light have a doubtless impact on perception of color and space.

If you have window treatments that are installed at the head of the window, consider raising their mounting height. This does two things— adds more light by exposing more glass area, and helps to make the ceiling feel just a tad taller. A win-win! In appropriate setting, having no window coverings is an obvious choice for maximizing sunlight. Sometimes that is the perfect minimalist solution.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN and COMMERCIAL SPACES

Austin airport

Kinetic color lighting sculpture—Austin, TX airport

Color kinetic art lighting installations are showing up in the most unexpected places! This creative Austin, Texas airport terminal was an unexpected surprise during our recent trip. In my opinion, the color doesn’t shift quickly enough. As you can see from my brief video, the pace of the change doesn’t give the opportunity to enjoy the color changes as you pass through. The pace also doesn’t coordinate with the quick energy of an airpot setting. That’s adjustable I’m sure.

Always think safety first and have any work done by a licensed electrician.