“In the right light, at the right time. Everything is Extraordinary”.
This famous quote by a film director, writer and artist Aaron Rose might as well be referring to the valuable decisions about lighting one’s own home. That is because lighting a home goes beyond installing the brightest and longest lasting bulb to illumine every nook and cranny in your house. It can focus on things that you want to highlight, make the interiors more beautiful and a joy to live in, plus put you in the right frame of mind and mood.
Lights and shadows also define the boundaries of space. Proper and creative lighting can make even the simplest home an extraordinary space.
These are the insights we picked up from renowned interior design guru, Manny Samson whom we were accorded the distinct honor and pleasure to have in our rebranded book “Do It with Wilcon.” This book which will soon be available at all Wilcon Depot stores, features home tours of distinguished personalities also has a section that probes the mind and showcases the expertise of various industry experts.
Lights and shadows
Samson says that lighting techniques have come a long way. It is not just about brightness but also about temperature. “Ten years ago, when it comes to lighting, although we may have a lighting consultant, the temperature of the lights back then was very popular. These days they call it warmness, he shares. He adds that hotel companies now have lights that are less “yellow”. This makes for a crisper, brighter feel.
He says that the selfie generation has also impacted the choice of lights in structures. “There are a lot of people that take selfies for Instagram and similar social media. The lighting should be good. Let’s leave the lighting around the ambient. That means the lighting is close to your face”, he muses.
It’s a different matter altogether for other rooms in the house. “If we have a bathroom, we always have light at the height of 1.6 meters which beams the right amount of light on your face. That’s the calculation for the average height of Asians” Samson says.
Lights can also be enhanced through the choice of interesting lamps, sconces, chandeliers and similar fixtures. One can also have dimmers for style. These can allow the space to transition from day to night and add elegance, romance and sophistication to the overall mood and look.
Now let us talk about shadows. You really can’t separate light from shadow. That is a fact in architecture and interior design. The interplay of shadow and light can bring everything together and will bring out elements of the room that you wish to emphasize. Shadows can allow you to direct the viewer’s focus on a specific area. When done right, the creative and proper use of light and shadow can even affect your mood and give the viewers or occupants of the room the desired psychological effects that promote a feel of wellbeing.
Your home, your person
Samson says that some clients would like to get the “hotel feel” into their homes. He notes that there is delicate balance in achieving this. There must be an interplay and balance between lighting that is ambient and architectural that will transform the space into exactly what the client has envisioned. He says that some clients may be fickle or uncertain about what they really want, “Some clients say, I don’t want my house to look like a hotel. Because they know that we are hotel designers. Others say, if you hire us as designers, maybe your house will look like a hotel.”
Striking the right balance between a home and hotel feel is easier said than done though. Some designers may opt for warmer lighting for a hotel feel that is luxurious. Glass doors may welcome in more natural light. Open floor plans enable natural light to flow further into the space. Mirrors multiply natural light apart from making a room seem bigger. Inserting variety with lighting levels or heights add a touch of creative playfulness in the spaces.
But for Samson, the desired hotel feel should also match seamlessly with the personality of the client or the person who will ultimately occupy the place. He says that it is possible for transform your home and get a luxurious hotel experience with some carefully thought-out upgrades which include lighting. He assures, “we will help you design your house. Because it has to be your personality. You’re the one who will use it. It has to be to the point that I love it, but it’s also very practical. Because you’re the end user.”
Feeling your ‘Gen’
Samson also stresses that choices in lighting and fixtures depend a lot on the client’s generation. He cites a hotel that appeals to a particular age range, “It appeals to the post-war babies, baby boomers. Now, there are hotels that are appealing to Gen X, Gen Z, etc. So, think about it.”
He recommends that clients dig deep into themselves to determine what they really want and what they would be comfortable with. He adds, “If it’s your house, what appeals to you? For example, if you say, I want it to appeal to Gen Z or Gen X, then there are pegs that suit you. Number one, I think they are very particular about how it will suit them when you’re at home, right? You have to be very comfortable. You have to always be excited that this is the feel I want, this is my ambiance.”
Light and shade. Colors and fixtures. Samson says that there is no magic formula or template for determining what would ultimately mirror the client’s personality and match what they desire. It is a process of introspection, consultation, research and availability of materials and products available in the local market. That is why it is the aim of Wilcon Depot to provide simple homemakers or sophisticated and creative builders and expansive range of products to suit every desired dream home (or hotel) experience.
Manny Samson is a renowned interior designer with over three decades of experience in the industry. As the Principal of Emesae Design Corporation, he has led prestigious projects across the globe, from luxury resorts and hotels in different countries to high-end hotels, resorts, and residences in the Philippines. An alum of the University of Santo Tomas, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and was recognized as the Outstanding Interior Designer of the Year by the Philippine Regulation Commission in 2012. His notable projects include ACCOR Admiral M Gallery Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, Anchorland Admiral Grandsuites, Lind Boracay, and many more.
