Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest lighting mistake homeowners make?
The most common mistake is relying on a single overhead light source for an entire room, often called the “boob light” colloquially. This creates a flat, uninviting space with harsh shadows. The solution is always to layer your lighting with a combination of ambient (overall), task (focused), and accent (dramatic) lights to create depth, interest, and functionality.
How high should I hang a chandelier over a dining table?
A classic rule of thumb is that the bottom of the chandelier should hang between 30 and 36 inches above the surface of your dining table. This ensures it’s low enough to feel connected to the table and create an intimate dining atmosphere, but high enough that it doesn’t obstruct views or conversation across the table.
Are smart bulbs worth the investment for creating an expensive look?
Absolutely. Smart bulbs and smart lighting systems are a modern way to achieve many of the principles discussed. They offer unparalleled control over both brightness (dimming) and, in many cases, color temperature. The ability to create and save custom lighting “scenes” for different activities—like a “Bright Focus” scene for working and a “Warm Relax” scene for the evening—is a high-tech expression of intentional, curated lighting, which is a hallmark of luxury design.
