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Pro Spotlight: How to Create the Wow Factor With Lighting Design
Discover how good lighting goes beyond the practical to deliver mood, atmosphere and impact to any interior
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Who: Mark Howorth of Callender Howorth Interior and Architectural Design
Where: London and France
In his own words: “Lighting is one of the most important elements within interior design for creating the wow factor. Without good lighting, interior design is very flat. We always say to clients, when you have been to a five-star hotel or beautiful restaurant and thought ‘isn’t this lovely’, mostly that will be about the lighting.”
Mark and his team at Callender Howorth Interior and Architectural Design believe in pushing the boundaries of design to get the best results. “Inspiration develops from the initial brief and early on in concept design we like to challenge clients to look at all kinds of options. It always makes me smile when a more radical idea or piece of inspiration turns out to be one of the main successes of a project.”
Lighting is always central to this, bringing the best design to life, creating atmosphere and introducing some wow. “All lighting is about feeling,” says Mark. “It’s not like seeing a piece of art, it’s more ethereal.”
Where: London and France
In his own words: “Lighting is one of the most important elements within interior design for creating the wow factor. Without good lighting, interior design is very flat. We always say to clients, when you have been to a five-star hotel or beautiful restaurant and thought ‘isn’t this lovely’, mostly that will be about the lighting.”
Mark and his team at Callender Howorth Interior and Architectural Design believe in pushing the boundaries of design to get the best results. “Inspiration develops from the initial brief and early on in concept design we like to challenge clients to look at all kinds of options. It always makes me smile when a more radical idea or piece of inspiration turns out to be one of the main successes of a project.”
Lighting is always central to this, bringing the best design to life, creating atmosphere and introducing some wow. “All lighting is about feeling,” says Mark. “It’s not like seeing a piece of art, it’s more ethereal.”
How the company evolved
“I was fascinated with colour and space from a young age. I used to move furniture and objects around at home when left to my own devices! I clearly remember being very pleased when I chose a dark navy paint for my bedroom, too.”
Mark built on this early passion by studying art and interior design in LA. He then worked in Berverly Hills for five years. “Working in California at the start of my career fuelled my passion for design and the process of creating a home. I learned so much about how important it is to get the personality of each interior right,” he says. “I also absorbed that American ethic of amazing customer service, delivering on time and always going the extra mile.”
Once back in the UK, he set up Callender Howorth in 1997, which specialises in creating remarkable, bold and tailored interior design.
Here, he offers three key tips for lighting that delivers the wow factor.
“I was fascinated with colour and space from a young age. I used to move furniture and objects around at home when left to my own devices! I clearly remember being very pleased when I chose a dark navy paint for my bedroom, too.”
Mark built on this early passion by studying art and interior design in LA. He then worked in Berverly Hills for five years. “Working in California at the start of my career fuelled my passion for design and the process of creating a home. I learned so much about how important it is to get the personality of each interior right,” he says. “I also absorbed that American ethic of amazing customer service, delivering on time and always going the extra mile.”
Once back in the UK, he set up Callender Howorth in 1997, which specialises in creating remarkable, bold and tailored interior design.
Here, he offers three key tips for lighting that delivers the wow factor.
1. Layer the lighting
“In any space, large or small, you need to layer the type, temperature and colour of the lights to create pockets of interest,” says Mark. In a large or open-plan space, layered lighting also helps to create focal points, zoning it into seating, dining or cooking areas, for instance.
“Lighting is like an artist’s palette,” says Mark. “I wouldn’t be prescriptive and say you need this amount of lighting in this size of space, but make sure you work in a mix of light types – recessed LED lights, task and mood lighting and feature lights like a chandelier, standard lamp or table lamp.” You might also consider installing a Lutron lighting system. “You can then scene set, and the system will dim the lights in certain areas for you, depending on how you’re using the space. The key is to set scenes and pick out each space you will be using.”
In this home, which spans three mews houses, there is a retractable roof and a swimming pool that floats above the large living room. “We worked with our lighting designer to create a warm atmosphere in the space while also taking in the incredible architecture and glass,” says Mark.
“In any space, large or small, you need to layer the type, temperature and colour of the lights to create pockets of interest,” says Mark. In a large or open-plan space, layered lighting also helps to create focal points, zoning it into seating, dining or cooking areas, for instance.
“Lighting is like an artist’s palette,” says Mark. “I wouldn’t be prescriptive and say you need this amount of lighting in this size of space, but make sure you work in a mix of light types – recessed LED lights, task and mood lighting and feature lights like a chandelier, standard lamp or table lamp.” You might also consider installing a Lutron lighting system. “You can then scene set, and the system will dim the lights in certain areas for you, depending on how you’re using the space. The key is to set scenes and pick out each space you will be using.”
In this home, which spans three mews houses, there is a retractable roof and a swimming pool that floats above the large living room. “We worked with our lighting designer to create a warm atmosphere in the space while also taking in the incredible architecture and glass,” says Mark.
2. Capture natural light through reflective decor
“Light is fluid, it moves. It will bounce off surfaces and objects and be refracted or reflected, so it’s good to consider that when you’re designing your lighting,” says Mark. Things like shiny lacquered surfaces, mirrors and glass will reflect both daylight and artificial light, boosting light levels and often creating unusual patterns.
In this living space, large mirrors with undulating surfaces capture the different tones of natural light streaming in from the garden. “They are a focal point because of their size and shape, but they also pick up the soft pink hues from the living room furniture,” says Mark. “They bring in a shot of colour and contrast and brighten up the room beautifully.”
“Light is fluid, it moves. It will bounce off surfaces and objects and be refracted or reflected, so it’s good to consider that when you’re designing your lighting,” says Mark. Things like shiny lacquered surfaces, mirrors and glass will reflect both daylight and artificial light, boosting light levels and often creating unusual patterns.
In this living space, large mirrors with undulating surfaces capture the different tones of natural light streaming in from the garden. “They are a focal point because of their size and shape, but they also pick up the soft pink hues from the living room furniture,” says Mark. “They bring in a shot of colour and contrast and brighten up the room beautifully.”
3. Have fun with feature lights
Feature lights are independent of anything recessed or built in. “Table lamps, standard lamps and chandeliers – these are all the icing on the cake and can bring in the wow factor,” says Mark. “You also choose them to specifically work with the interior, so if it’s a very classic design, we might add a beautiful French chandelier. Feature lighting is what really customises each interior.”
This hand-blown glass chandelier was designed by Callender Howorth for a contemporary country house and hangs dramatically above the stairs.
More: Visit Callender Howorth’s Houzz profile for more information on the company’s services and projects.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Tell us…
How have you used lighting to work in some wow? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Feature lights are independent of anything recessed or built in. “Table lamps, standard lamps and chandeliers – these are all the icing on the cake and can bring in the wow factor,” says Mark. “You also choose them to specifically work with the interior, so if it’s a very classic design, we might add a beautiful French chandelier. Feature lighting is what really customises each interior.”
This hand-blown glass chandelier was designed by Callender Howorth for a contemporary country house and hangs dramatically above the stairs.
More: Visit Callender Howorth’s Houzz profile for more information on the company’s services and projects.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Tell us…
How have you used lighting to work in some wow? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Callendar Howorth is one of the UK’s leading international luxury interior design practices renowned for their... Read More
Review by Photography:
I was introduced to Callender Howorth by a friend in South of France to do my villa. I wanted a creative company but also have everything completely managed for the villa. Mark Howorth and his team...More