Colour Me Brightly! Understanding Light in Interior Design. Part III: Patterns from Opaque Materials

ign="center">transform the previous gentle wave into an
Professional interior designers are expertly trained inenunciated designer style, as the photons shave the
the use of lighting features to create breathtakingsurface and build to form sturdy optical patterns,
results. In this four-part series which I callincluding top-level arcs and dramatic textures. A
“Colour Me Brightly: Understanding Light insharper, more laser-like focus will only make the
Interior Design,” I draw on my experience inpattern more conspicuous – recreating a
London’s interior design community tolook that is popular in many trendy London nightclubs.
explain this fascinating subject. This third article talksThe direct counterpoint to this interior design
about how to create patterns using opaque materials.technique involves the use of close-offset uplighting.
The second way for an interior designer to createWith this approach, floor-level filaments cause the
light-based patterns involves opaque surfaces, whicheye to move up vertical columns of light which dance
reflect light back into a room. This pattern creationacross the wall to form puddles of dappled reflected
process is more sophisticated and can be fine-tunedlight on the ceiling. Professional London interior
for stunning interior design effects. Light portrayalsdesigners often work alongside colour consultants to
impact how we understand a surface and its texture.make sure that the result has practical rel evance as
For example, the “standard”well as aesthetic appeal. In particular, some newer
technique often seen in London residences simplyLondon residences often have uncomfortably low
involves casting a gentle play of light across a wall.ceilings. Interior designers can use this lighting
The light brushes the fittings, causing the wall toapproach to draw attention to the vertical plane of
appear even, flat and two-dimensional. Some topthe wall, thereby counterbalancing the hemmed-in
London Interior Designers know that their clientsfeel of the low ceiling.
crave more drama and stylistic nuance. In such cases,In the next and final article in this series called
placing lightwell fillings very close to the wall and“Colour Me Brightly!” I will finish by
angling them downwards can be really striking. Usingrevealing some top lighting tips from
this technique, interior design consultancies canLondon’s interior design community.