Lighting as a Design Element

Lighting or illumination is the intentional application of light to achieve some aesthetic or practical effect. Lighting includes use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and natural illumination of interiors from daylight. Lighting is one of the ways where wisdom and artistry can be applied for a home.

There are three different types of lighting according to decorators design intent, General or Ambient, Accent, and Task lighting.

General lighting

Also known as ambient lighting, general lighting supplies an area with overall, non-specific illumination. General lighting radiates a comfortable level of brightness, enabling people to see and walk about safely. It’s usually accomplished using ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures and recessed or track lighting. A basic form of lighting that replaces sunlight, ambient lighting is fundamental to lighting a home.

Accent lighting

Localized and directional lighting used to highlight or draw attention to a specific area of a room. It is used to give focus to the elements of a space that may need emphasis such as art or antiques.

Task lighting

Lighting directed to a specific area or surface that provides illumination for visual tasks, such as reading, sewing or cooking. It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, portable lighting or pendant lamps. Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain. Task lighting is the best way to improve safety and increase productivity.

The look of our office lobby is part of the way our clients view our business practices? As we first launch our new business we are trying to establish a clear and differentiated identity among our prospects and customers. This is especially important during challenging economic times when no company can afford to lose a customer or a sale. We must be consistent in the way we represent our business to the world, whether we are talking to the press, writing an industry article, or are inviting a client for a visit in our office. This consistency can help strengthen our brand and build customer trust in the way we conduct business.“Dress for success” is a phrase we are used to hearing over and over again. Success is something we need to learn how to dress for. If the success of you business is what you are after, you must put some effort into the way you look to your clients.

Let’s imagine the following situation:

You are out meeting an important client for the first time. You set up an appointment to meet for lunch at a local restaurant. You have carefully planned the meeting making sure every detail is taken care of. You’ve selected the restaurant with the best reputation, you’ve purchased a new suite to look your best, you made sure you arrived ahead of time and were using your best vocabulary speaking about your company’s good standing in order to impress your client. The client was very satisfied with your effort and is now ready to give you all his business. After lunch he wants to come to your office and sign a few documents in order for you to be able to start conducting business together. You drive back to your office, open the door and invite him in. We will stop here.

How this story ends is really up to … what at this moment?

Starting a new Design business has proven to be anything but an easy task. The mindset transformation from employee to a business owner takes absolutely enormous amount of energy; emotional as well as physical. Sometimes it feels like walking in the dark, trying not to stumble and crash into things. You don’t really want to turn the light ON on your very young business yet, but you have to keep on moving in order to make it work. How do you get this “first client” who will start spreading the good word about you around?

We look for help, emotional support and feedback from our friends so much so that we are willing to make them our first “no charge” customers. We reach to them in hopes for encouragement as well as an opportunity to start doing what we know we can do best: design. We know they will “let us“and by helping them they will help us. But is this as easy as it sounds? Is there a line we must draw between being someone’s friend and the same becoming your client? Is there supposed to be a difference between the way we treat our friends and the way we are to tread our clients? What do we tell our friend that we can’t tell our clients and vice versa. Client or a friend?

Hilton Garden Inn, Houston, TX

Hotel business is blooming in Houston Texas, one of the Business travelers’ capitals of America. Holton Garden Inn is one of the preferred lodging for many of our city’s business oriented visitors. It is affordable and offers comfortable as well as beautiful accommodations thanks to our appropriate design solutions.

The style: Texas Traditional. The color scheme: Rich red and pale gold. Clean line architecture, off-white walls, lots of natural light and traditional furnishings are the bones for this welcoming hotel’s Reception Pavilion. Luxurious Furnishings, accent colors brought in through accessories and art work. This Pavilion creates a worm welcoming first impression for the travelers walking though the hotel’s doors.

Kim Son Restaurant, Jefferson St., Houston TX

Every one who visits Kim Son restaurant will experience the warmth, tradition, and culinary treasures of Vietnam and her people. They have had more than 25 of years experience preparing dishes that are distinctive of their homeland. We were involved in redesigning their main banquette dinning room in one of their facilities located on Jefferson St. in downtown Houston.

Embassy Suites, Houston, TX, Energy Corridor

One of the new buisness oriented Embassy Suites here in Houston. We were involved In designing the interior of the Public areas in the hotel: Main reseption areas, Restaurant areas, Buisness center, Fitness room, Indoor pool area and Administrative floor. The hotel is still in construction.

Andrew’s Residence

Italian country inspired, this dining room turned out to be the homeowners’ pride. Primary color scheme: pale yellow, rich red and a tad of Italian blue.

Dark stained wood floors adorned with richly ornate Oriental area rug. The antique China cabinet matches beautifully with the dining table and chairs.

The handmade tablecloth makes this room fill even more like home to the satisfied homeowners.

“I am glad I called UDS to redesign my Living and Dining Rooms. The designer worked with me on all levels and offered the best service I could hope for.”

Client

Hilton Garden Inn, Pearland, TX

Located in the one of Houston’s best planed communities, Hilton Garden Inn is the best equipped hotel in Pearland TX. It offers a complete conference center; two conference rooms and a spacious banquette facility to accommodate any business function.

The style: contemporary; Color scheme: complimentary lime green and red with added assents in icy blue and gold, extremely fashionable, up to beat, European. Materials: granite floors and counter tops, beautiful modern interpretation of floral patterns on the carpet throughout and dark wood millwork. Clean line Architecture, lots of natural light in reception areas, contemporary furnishings and bright accessory accents.

Once entered the space fills like a destination more than like a pass though port. The bar area speaks: many hours of fun, friendship starting and relax after a long day out in the business world of Houston. The beautiful accommodations communicate: peaceful rest and comfortable preparation for a successful day at work.

Crown Plaza Hotel, Houston, TX

We worked on the outdoor pool and terrace area contracting for MCS Architects. We specified the patio furniture and designed the terrace and pool layouts. The interior renovation of the Reception areas was in process during this phase of the hotel renovation. We worked on floor plans and the design documents for this project.

Kathy’s Bedroom

Teenagers are a bid colorful these days, don’t you think. This one wanted each wall painted a different color: pale purple, green, yellow and pink. The rest of the colors requested for the room were: orange, blue and avocado green. We took the challenge and made it all work together in a sophisticated yet playfully whimsical way.