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I really, really, really LOVE the lighting!
Especially in the kitchen....AND you know the foyer too!
-direct quote from the happy owner What more could a designer want to hear from a client. Even more so when the project was not complete! We enjoyed working on this residence with an owner who was passionate about all of the little details. That they enjoy the completed project more than expected is what we strive for.
t h e p r o j e c t
A charming old house in Westchester county, New York, last renovated in the late 80's, undergoing a complete redesign of the existing first floor living areas and expanded with the addition of a second floor kids room over an existing garage.
Working with the owner's extensive collection of decorative fixtures that were going to be re-used, the design intent was fairly simple: Provide real task lighting without being the apparent source of light. However we also provided several specialty treatments and solved some unique problems.
Being an old house, the ceiling heights were low and the new design provided several long views into the rooms. This meant that we had to pay attention to the fixture trims, as they were going to be seen in profile. Another concern arising from the low ceilings was the possibility of what I call "dark corner syndrome". Dark corner syndrome is the problem created when there is too much contrast (a bright area next to a dark area) in the corner where a wall meets the ceiling. In addition to these concerns, the kitchen proper had no outside walls, so no windows, and hence the lighting had to help create a bright enjoyable environment during the day.
We addressed these concerns in the kitchen by using a combination of glass trim downlights, which help keep the ceiling from becoming dark, and internally lighting the glass front cabinets, keeping them bright and window-like.
The dining room was treated more traditionally with flush trim downlights to highlight the artwork and table top, while a chandelier provides the traditional ambiance.
The family room has a specialized combination uplighting/art-lighting system that is concealed with-in the wooden rafters. There is also a shelf lighting system integrated into the built-in bookcase surrounding the TV. These sources allow for a variety of scenes to be created in the room from game playing to movie theatre, while maintaining the elegance and aesthetic of the room.
The stairs to the 2nd floor playroom were approached as a gallery for the kids to display their artwork but the sloping ceiling with an HVAC return vent in the middle, prevented the use of a surface mounted track lighting solution. By using a monorail system we were able to provide a single system and at the same time draw your focus away from the HVAC vent.
Enthralled with the lighting on the interior of the house, we are now designing the lighting for the exterior landscaping.
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