The Importance of Lighting a Home: Experts Weigh In

Once we flipped a switch to light a room, a non-nondescript fixture that looked like an upside down crystal ball. Now lighting has evolved into artful objects that do everything from change colors, adjust remotely, and can uplift a grouchy mood. It’s no wonder that Sotheby’s has cast light on the category. The fine auctioneer known for selling the world’s most sought after luxury items by prodding the highest bid until the gavel strikes recently acquired Viyet. Their direction seals lighting’s importance as a lifestyle necessity while upholding quality and provenance.

An art filled living room is given the right jolt of color and design by the inclusion of the Francois seagrass chandelier by Au Courant Interiors.

While fixtures add beauty, light’s atmospheric qualities also offer notable value. “Lighting is an essential element in the development of a room’s scheme,” says Dee Johnson, CEO/Principle Lighting Designer of Au Courant Interiors, which creates luxury fixtures with a trace of bohemian. “The perfect light fixture will create a focal point and impact how the wall color, art, furniture and rug will look in an interior space.”

A consideration of a variety of sources and design is also foremost. “The lighting in your home has an enormous impact on how the room feels, whether bright and welcoming or soft and intimate,” says Sotheby’s Home president Lizzie Blumenthal.  “Every room should include multiple lighting fixtures to give you the ultimate control over the amount of light in the room.”

Architectural craftsmanship merges with high design from a trio of hanging, sculptural pendants. Lighting Design by Christian Rae Studio. Photo courtesy of Christian Rae Studio.

Rachel Calemmo, certified lighting designer, LEED accredited professional and co-founder of Christian Rae Studio, upholds lighting installation in a home’s nascent stages. The result offers a broad range of scale, scope, budget considerations and energy efficiency in a building’s life cycle. “With the addition of new LEDs to the market, buying lighting products has become more expensive and complex, so it requires a thoughtful approach to achieve the best results. Deciding what to light and with what sources are applicable may require assistance of a design professional. Although lighting can be upgraded at any time, it is most effective when integrated with the architectural and landscape designs as early as possible,” says Calemmo.  

Designer Rachel Calemmo added decorative lighting and LED strip lights in coves in the kitchen of this private residence to give lightness to the ceilings and highlight the architectural features. A golden branch suspended above gives a dramatic effect with a nod to the natural. Lighting Design by Christian Rae Studio. Photo courtesy of Christian Rae Studio.

Rachel Calemmo’s Importance of Lighting as a Healthy Investment

According to the IALD (International Association of Lighting Designers), studies show the quality of light profoundly affects our well-being.  Homeowners have the potential to add value, reduce costs and enhance quality of living through the application of good lighting, which enhances the mood and desirability of interior and exterior spaces alike.  

An attention to lighting is a key investment in one’s home because the average American spends 93% of their life indoors.  That means our main source of light is through electric sources. This time of year in the northern territories, we are leaving the house and coming home in the dark. With emerging lighting technologies, we can bring natural light indoors with full-spectrum tunable white LED fixtures that allow light to rise and fall with the sun, dynamically shifting throughout the day to precisely mimic the color temperature and intensity of natural light. This can profoundly affect our body’s circadian rhythms and prevent seasonal affective disorder.  

Lizzie Blumenthal’s Guide to Selling Online with Sotheby’s Home

Sellers can submit items through Sotheby’s consignment form (sell.sothebyshome.com) describing the pieces they would like to consign with us. Consignment experts will review the property submitted, and if approved they will be able to make a free appointment with a consignment liaison, who will be cataloguing, photographing, and documenting every detail of the consigned pieces.

As the premiere marketplace for designer furniture, lighting and accessories, Sotheby’s is focused on high-end pieces. Generally designer brands with a minimum retail price of $500 for lighting. Condition-wise, pieces in excellent or good (with a little TLC) condition. They also take select vintage and antique pieces that are timeless in style and in excellent to good shape.

Dee Johnson’s Tips when Buying Online

The best way to insure the lighting match what you see online is to request samples if available, request additional photos, and/or see the products in a showroom.

A successful lighting design combines the right balance of task lighting, ambient lighting, and style. When selecting lighting online consider how much light you need, your home’s architectural style, and the room’s dimensions including ceiling height. A striking light fixture can complete a design.

Lizzie Blumenthal’s Lighting Design Considerations

It’s important to keep your lighting in style with and in proportion to the rest of the room — that enormous antique chandelier may be beautiful, but a smaller designer lighting fixture might be a much better accent to your stylish Modern room.

Subtle ceiling lights and wall sconces add a diffused, pleasing ambiance to a room, while designer lighting fixtures bring distinct style and elegance. For a more traditional room, use a pair of antique lamps on either end of a sofa table or mix several vintage lamps of varying heights to add visual interest.

Use table lamps or floor lamps to create pools of light in areas where people gather and spend time together. It’s also important to keep your lighting in style with and in proportion to the rest of the room — that enormous antique chandelier may be beautiful, but a smaller designer lighting fixture might be a much better accent to your stylish modern room.