By Averill Emery, GaleriePerrie.com

In the realm of interior design, lighting has always played a crucial role in creating ambiance, enhancing visual appeal, and setting the mood of a space that we live and socialize in. However, in the last few years, our relationship with lighting has evolved significantly. With advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on sustainability, people are starting to embrace new perspectives on lighting design.

As Galerie Perrie’s has produced signature soy based candles that can indeed elevate the mood in any room, candles are a wonderful example of just how impactful even a small flame of light can be for a space. Designed personally by Galerie Perrie’s founder, these sleek, paraben- free candles exude natural notes of warm amber and smoky fireplaces. These candles make for an excellent centerpiece for any coffee or bedside table and fit in seamlessly to chic, cozy interiors.

Unlike candles, which have been around for centuries, the last decade has seen the addition of smart lighting systems into homes. With less emphasis on conventional, as some would say, ‘old school’ switches; we now have the ability to control lighting with mechanisms such as voice command and remote controls. For the world of interior design, this technology can be very useful and even go so far as to transform a space. As interior designers emphasize, accent lighting is a key part of adding dimension and different layers of contrast to any room. Particularly for art collectors whose living rooms and spaces showcase extraordinary pieces, accent lighting is crucial for highlighting and drawing attention to various pieces of art. Some of Galerie Perrie’s inventory include dynamic sculptures that ought to be highlighted when designing the lighting of a room. For example, Tara Vaughan’s stone ceramics that emphasize organic form and balance are beautiful pieces of design. By including accent overhead lighting, the depth and balance of these sculptures are highlighted and fully appreciated. Overhead accent lighting that is perhaps on a smart timer would be a great choice for these works. Both Vaughan’s Hug and Wave series are abstract innovations of natural phenomena that are both energetic and charged with movement, so deliberate lighting once again can heighten and highlight that dynamic feeling.

Similarly to sculptures, paintings and two dimensional artwork engage tremendously with their immediate surroundings and lighting. Lighting may alter the way that a color or form is perceived and ultimately change the way that a viewer is understanding that piece. Indeed while technological advancements and smart lighting allow conveniences for accent and overhead lighting, natural lighting is the most fundamental part of designing the light flow for any space.

For German photographer Stefen Heyne, whose work can be purchased on Galerie Perrie’s website, lighting is an instrumental part of his pieces. His photographs include reproductions of a cloudless sky that he took original photos of from an airplane window. Indeed the photos may look blurry upon first glance, but they are instead, the seamless array of blended colors and light. While these pieces have their own relationship to light, the external lighting is important to consider when hanging these up in a room. Indeed natural light from large windows would change throughout the day, but that almost seems fitting for these photographs. In my opinion, accent or overhead lighting would almost distract from the gradient aspect of the photographs as it might focus on one particular part of the photograph in a way that would take away from experiencing it in its whole. Placing these photographs in a room with lots of natural light would be the better choice as the light would shine indirectly on to these photos, highlighting them in a more subtle way, that will ultimately not lessen the power and vibrancy that they have on their own.

Moreover, natural light not only compliments beautiful artwork, but it can create a sense of spaciousness that can ultimately benefit mental well-being and peoples’ lifestyles. Our growing awareness of the benefits of nature on our mental health aligns with the importance of natural lighting in a place that we spend most of our day. Be that in a home or office setting, the interior design of a room is at the mercy of how much or little natural light the space receives. Most architects and designers incorporate natural lighting above other features as it is the most essential aspect of a home and space. Architects and interior designers are now placing a greater emphasis on the orientation of windows, ensuring that spaces are flooded with daylight and that people are able to get morning and evening light throughout the day. Featured in Galerie Perrie’s Fine Art Photography inventory, Kit Young’s prints are works that I think would beautifully compliment a room full of natural lighting. Young captures almost fleeting moments and claims, “the photographer in me is responsive, impulsive, reacting to subject matter on the spur of the moment, more often than not giving very little thought to anything more than the lines and tone of what’s in front of me” – Kit Young. Young’s work most definitely depicts scenes where lighting and shadows are pervasive. Thus, placing such photographs in a spot where light is shifting throughout the day would be an almost creative addition to such fascinating photography.

Ultimately, whether collectors want a cozy ambiance with warm hues or rather, a vibrant vibe with vivid colors, lighting is a way for individuals to express their creativity and enhance the character of their art collections and interiors.

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