As the evenings draw in, lighting becomes an increasingly important part of how we experience our homes. A considered mix of light sources can transform the atmosphere of a room, bringing warmth, depth and a sense of intimacy.
For Susie, lighting has always been about creating different layers rather than relying on a single source. Table lamps, wall lights and pendants can each bring something different to a room, creating small pools of light and allowing particular corners, objects, artworks and surfaces to gently come into focus.
As Susie says, “lamps are my favourite because they cast a softer, lower level light”. A table lamp beside a sofa can bring warmth to an otherwise quiet corner. Pieces such as the Dionis Table Lamp and Plato Light work particularly well in this way, with the Parsons Desk Light bringing a more focused light - each piece provides decorative interest whilst making a space inviting and cosy.
“lamps are my favourite because they cast a softer, lower level light”
The ability to adjust lighting is just as important as the fittings themselves. Susie prefers lamps to operate separately from spotlights and pendants, with dimmers used “so that you can set the mood”. Diffusers can make the light more mellow, while warmer bulbs create a gentler atmosphere as evening falls.
Wall lights are another way to introduce warmth and interest without illuminating a whole room, and are a fantastic way to draw attention to an artwork or architectural feature. The Parsons and Dionis Wall Lights work particularly well in this way, bringing both character and warmth while also leaving space for shadow.
Susie equally considers where light is not needed. “I avoid spotlights in bedrooms unless they are directional for artwork”, she explains. Instead, she uses tiny uplighters within deep window reveals to “give a nice glow and frame the window”. It is a subtle distinction but an important one. Darkness and shadow can be as much part of the atmosphere as the areas we choose to illuminate.
The light itself can also become part of the character of a room. Susie has long enjoyed combining traditional interiors with contemporary elements, including “interesting lighting” alongside artwork and sculptural furniture. The Fyning Pendant, for example, can introduce light from above but is an accent piece in its own right.
Ultimately, the most inviting rooms rarely rely on one source of light. They are built from layers, with each one serving a different purpose and coming into its own at different moments of the day. It is about balance, and in Susie’s words, “essential are dimmers and warm white light bulbs!”
