An easy and effective way to transform your home’s interiors is by updating how you light your living spaces. LN spoke with Teddy Karl, the principal designer at The Great Cover-Up in Ladue, about knowing when it’s time to make a change, common mistakes homeowners can make when choosing fixtures and deciding which style best suits your home.
To define your home’s look, “you need to be true to yourself,” Karl advises. “Take into account what you like or what you are drawn to. If you’re working too hard at it, it probably isn’t your aesthetic.” He advises homeowners to consider changing fixtures when they begin to look dated or if they’re simply ready for a makeover.
The biggest mistake people make when choosing new lighting for their home, Karl says, is “not making a big enough statement. Statement lighting should be a ‘wow!’ [That can be through] a pop of color, a grand scale, a style that stands out from the decoration of the house … Go all-in, or keep it timeless and classic.”
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Chandeliers to shop
Photo by Mariana Home, courtesy of Wilson Lighting
Begin your search for new lighting with two important considerations: scale and height. Err on the side of “too big,” Karl says. Oversized fixtures can have a beautiful impact, especially when scaled to the correct height for the room’s purpose. “I like to use the rule of thumb: about 5 feet off the floor if there is a table under it, or roughly 30 inches above the table,” he says.
The two prominent fixtures for statement lighting are chandeliers and pendant lights, each of which Karl believes serve a distinct purpose in the home.
“I always think of a chandelier as being a central focus, [like] over the dining table or in the living room or bedroom,” he says. “I like to see multiple pendants in a row or cluster – perhaps over a kitchen island, or a single over the sink, especially if the ceiling is high. They can [also] be great over the vanity in a large bathroom. Just be aware that [pendant lights] cast light down and can make for unpleasant shadows, especially if this is where you apply makeup.”
Pendant lighting to shop
Photo by Mariana Home, courtesy of Wilson Lighting
To decide on the color and finish best suited for each space, consider what other finishes appear in the room before making your final decision. Matching to the entire area will accentuate the beauty of your home.
So, how do you know if you’ve pulled off the ultimate lighting upgrade? “I like to choose a high-quality product that looks upscale,” Karl adds. “When the electrician remarks on what good quality the fixtures are, I know I’ve done something right.”
The Great Cover-Up Design, 9708 Clayton Road, Ladue, 314-995-5701, greatcoverupdesign.com
Photo by Mariana Home, courtesy of Wilson Lighting
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