Using Lighting to Set a Mood in Modern Interiors

I love the way that color can set a mood. That said, lighting is equally as important in mood creation. Below I share some images of spaces by other talented designers (these images are not of my work) that convey a cozy, inviting mood in a large part due to their lighting.

This space uses pendant lights, recessed lights and under cabinet lights to provide a variety of lighting solutions and give a dramatic look.

This backlit grass resin bar is eyecatching. Candles and a backlit wall of plexi glass or a similar material (behind the bar) round out the mood lighting in this space.

Overhead lighting casts pools of light onto the wooden ceiling beams while backlit photographic images on the walls draw your eye.

This reception area does a great job with its lighting.

Carefully selected lighting makes these dark chocolate walls very dramatic.

This bar is all about mood lighting.

A successful lighting plan makes this outdoor space cozy, romantic and inviting.

A romantic hotel room. The lighting makes it.

The lighting in this bar calls attention to some great design choices - in particular, the light flooring which contrasts nicely with a dark wood ceiling.

While the color palette in this space is very neutral - the lighting plan gives it depth and interest.

These lantern style lights not only provide an excellent source of light - they also function as sculpture.

Color in Modern + Contemporary Interiors - Part 3

This post focuses on using bold colors for maximum impact. Many of the colors used in these images are colors that clients might shy away from on a paint chip. But in context with the rest of the space, these bold color choices really work.

Note: the images below show work by other talented designers except where it specifically states that the work is my own.

Many clients might be afraid to select the dark chocolate brown used on the back wall of this photo, but you can see how it provides a wonderful backdrop for the art and a nice contrast to the sunnier golden color used on the opposite wall. The dark wall definitely draws your eye.

I love the use of orange in this dining room. It adds a warm and happy feeling to the space and contrasts nicely with the dark woods and the white trim and chair upholstery.

This is a loft-like condo space that I designed for a young couple. At the start of the project they had the light brown sofa and the dark wood coffee table and small cafe table, but their walls were white and they had no other color in the space. Since the space was essentially one large loft-like room with no differentiation from the eating area to the living room, I used the green and orange colors to help divide the space. Note that I pulled green elements into the living room space (using accessories such as candles and pillows) to tie the spaces together a bit.

In this bedroom that I designed, I wanted to use a lot of color, but still have the space feel calm and restful. The soft blue and chocolate brown - accented by bright white and some black/browns - achieve this.

Although this space features bright colors, it works for a few reasons. One, all of the colors play nicely off of one another. Two, the architecture of the space - specifically the height of the walls and the complex ceiling line balance out the color impact. And three, the furniture and lighting are very simple - black chairs, white tables, and natural globe pendant lights.

Most people would never think of using pink on their walls. That said, this space, which I designed, needed to serve the needs of my client - a wedding photography, videography, and makeup studio. The space needed to be feminine and elegant - to help brides-to-be feel comfortable and in good hands. The pink wall is balanced by the use of a lot of white in the space - in the flooring, on the sofa, in the decorative trim work, and in the furniture.

Here you can see the space before and the space after. What a huge difference in how the space looks and feels when you walk in it.

Bright colors work when the users benefit from it. In this space for two very active young girls, which I designed, I wanted to create a playful, energizing room for them to do crafts, homework, dancing, and whatever else they dreamed up. The various shades of pink provide a feminine, girly contrast to the cheerful green. The existing beige carpet color and white ceiling balance out the bold use of color.

Play room before and after. The image at the top shows a vast sea of beige that wasn't much fun for two fun loving girls. The second image is all about fun.

This nursery, which I designed, features soothing pale blues accented by a bold lichen/lime green. The green provides much needed contrast to the blues and whites which are often overused in boys' nurseries.

Nursery before and after. This space in its previous incarnation (as a barely used guest room) looks drab and boring - even with the bright painting above the bed. It looks like a totally different space in the nursery image.

Color in Modern + Contemporary Interiors - Part 2

In my last post I talked about earthy color palettes. This time, I'd like to talk about using whites and other light neutral colors with added punches of bold color.

The images below (of work by other talented designers) illustrate my comments.

Here's an example of a room with a lot of whites and creams and focused punches of color. The use of white walls and a white sofa allow the windows (and beautiful view) and the lovely artwork to stand out. The space is anchored by the dark chaise lounge and the black fireplace box.

This is another space that uses a core foundation of cream and beige and then balances it with punches of color (the orange pillows and chair). The white/cream sofas and fireplace also balance nicely against the light wood built-ins and flooring.

Although this space does have a light mocha colored wall, for the most part, the palette is made up of creams and dark woods balanced by punches of orange. I love the feeling of this room - cozy and comforting yet bright and airy.










Here again is a space with lots of whites and creams and natural wood tones balanced by touches of red.

In this space, the far red wall adds interest and drama to the core foundation of stark whites and dark browns.

Color in Modern + Contemporary Interiors - Part 1

Sometimes my clients are afraid of color. I however, find color to be a useful way to set the mood of a space. It can help you feel energized, relaxed, calm, excited, happy, playful and so much more.

Many clients equate "adding color" with "adding bright colors". The reality though is that you can do a lot with earthy colors. They take you away from the world of white walls and bland beige to an environment that is warm and inviting.

Below are some images featuring earth-toned color palettes that I like. These images show work by other talented designers except where it specifically states that the work is my own.

Here the use of a warm but soft yellow balances out the gray wall. The end result: a calm yet cheerful space.

This waiting area balances two different wood colors (a light bamboo floor and a cherry wood desk front) with earthy walls in a creamy beige and two shades of green. The dark wood of the furniture provides a nice contrast against the light floor.

This is another space that uses earthy colors in a subtle way for big impact.






This was an interesting project that I worked on. The room on the left (a living room) opened directly to the room on the right (a dining room). Since you could see the living room from the dining room and vice versa - it was important to select colors that complement one another while differentiating the spaces. The colors play nicely off of each other - creating a cozy and inviting feel.

This space uses browns, olives, and tans to create a warm, inviting environment.