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A
part from the obvious – providing illumination – lighting adds an intangible element to a space, and the flick of a switch can change an intimate setting to a bright conference room. And the lights themselves need to be attractive even when switched off. It’s no wonder that venues call in the experts!“We have observed that trends within the hospitality sector for bespoke lighting do not follow a specific path and it is apparent that variety really is the spice of life!” said Michael Jackson, senior lighting designer at Northern Lights. “There is no set formula for a decorative lighting scheme with product varying in material, finish, scale, colour and function from project to project. With the exception of retaining brand identity the key to a successful scheme is in offering a solution which is new and original.” Northern Lights work with designers from concept stage through to production to
Lighten
Up!
Lighting in hospitality venues
such as bars and restaurants
has to set the scene – entertain
me, relax me, make me feel
good! All this and providing an
ambience that makes you want
to return again and again...
in.Vogue : 45
ensure the clients’ visions are accurately realised.
“The manufacture of decorative feature lighting is becoming increasingly
demanding,” explained Michael. “Architects and designers are challenging conventional production techniques and material applications to originate totally unique designs, with engineering principles and processes having to be adapted in innovative ways to achieve this.”
one of Northern Lights new products, a 2.5m long fibre optic chandelier, is a good example. It features more than 1200 end-illuminated fibre optic strands and 250 hand-blown glass flowers, powered by two 45W LeD projectors.
“Not only is the chandelier a sensational centrepiece, it also offers great flexibility,” said Michael. “The length and quantity of the fibre strands can be adjusted to suit different venues. The ceiling plate can be made in various shapes and finishes as well.
The decorative glass flowers are hand-blown and formed by Northern Lights craftspeople using traditional manufacturing techniques. Many shapes, styles and colours can be produced.”
Nelson Design consistently looks for innovative ways for layered lighting schemes.
“Whilst we embraced the recent trend of retro and industrial for some projects, we enjoy discovering new and innovative
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talent and design” explained Claire Nelson, owner of Nelson Design. Curiousa & Curiousa were one of these undiscovered gems they found a few years ago and whose lighting they incorporated into the schemes for giraffe and The Cabin at Waterloo. Finding the unusual and at the time unique, Nelson Design will also work together with lighting specialists to ensure they stay at the forefront of technology as well as to create bespoke solutions. For the refurbishment of The Ledbury in Notting Hill, the owner and chef Brett graham wanted a more natural essence to the restaurant to complement the vision of his cooking. The entrance screen was transformed into an object of sculpture: hand woven fabric panels with metallic thread serve as a
backdrop for bespoke LeD fittings in hand blown glass and bronze finish, all encased in glass. understanding from the onset whether it is to be decorative or functional, a statement in a bar or private dining room, lighting can govern the overall design scheme. “Researching and discovering innovative and stunning lighting solutions is paramount to delivering an overall unique design concept,” confirmed Claire.
As export partners to uSA brands Feiss, Hinkley, Quoizel and Flambeau, elstead Lighting selected and launched 300 uSA products into the european markets during 2013.
“Typically those transitional and semi modern products that are a little chunkier
and larger in scale than europe has
historically provided, have worked very well in the hospitality markets,” said Jonathan Lucas, Managing Director of elstead Lighting. “We are actually finding that young buyers and specifiers, contrary to opinion, regularly shop for more traditional and transitional styles rather than ultra-modern as they like to connect to a look that their parents or grandparents can associate with. of course this taste and pattern varies broadly across europe as in some countries they are very modern in taste generally, but there has been a change in the last three years towards traditional styles.”
Building drum shades into a more styled fixture such as the Feiss-Lucia Pendant or the Quoizel Laguna table lamp has
Hamilton’s Cheriton light switches
Quoizel Laguna table lamp
from elstead
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become a popular look, especially in the hospitality sector. “The heavier constructed look in traditional popular european finishes, such as the Brushed Nickel Bolla chandelier from Hinkley, still find an audience,” added Jonathan.
Manufacturing lighting for hotels is often a delicate balancing act because it requires fittings that not only respond appropriately to the design brief and the budget, but also
incorporate additional requirements such as subtle hiding of emergency lighting without detracting from the aesthetic qualities. “And then there are the legal requirements and on top of that the practicalities of where it can be installed within the building fabric to take into account too,” explained Jeremy Quantrill, joint Managing Director at Dernier & Hamlyn. “However, these are precisely the sort of challenges that our team relishes and
when we all see the end products in situ it’s always worth the sleepless nights! Recent examples that we are particularly proud of are our work for Rosewood London and one Canada Square – very different projects but equally satisfying end results.”
one of the most talked about hotels of the moment, The London edition needs little by way of introduction and has clearly made its mark on the international hospitality
50 : in.Vogue
industry and social scene alike. A joint venture between the legendary Studio 54’s Ian Schrager and the Marriott group, the London edition has been designed with London in mind.
Set in the former Berners hotel in a row of five georgian townhouses in Fitzrovia, the design comes from a mix of ages and inspirations: there are elements of aristos’ country piles and London gentlemen’s clubs, secret Parisian hideaways and New York’s grand Central Station. georgian architecture gives way to Belle epoque detailing and
space-age fittings.
A signature of Schrager hotels is the ‘lobby-as-social-scene’, with statement furniture and lighting at the forefront of the interior design. “Chelsom were commissioned to develop custom lighting for the public areas designed to accentuate the contemporary interior whilst blending seamlessly with the grandeur of the original building,” described Will Chelsom. “The interior scheme certainly makes a statement; textures are warm and tactile and the colour palate rich and sumptuous while the lighting is a mix of
extravagant opulence and understated elegance.”
Chelsom produced many sophisticated custom-designed fixtures for the Punch Bar, Berners Tavern restaurant and lobby featuring varying designs of matt black shades and metallic finishes, with contemporary lines and shapes at the forefront. A succession of striking gold tripod style table lamps offset with simple black tapered shades line the restaurant and bar areas while LeD reading lights finished in a customised matt bronze finish are a
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distinguished addition to the lobby area. A custom designed over-sized black box silk shade is suspended above the billiard table by a pair of long-reach arms finished in matt black for dramatic effect designed to project light effectively to the table below.
“Things have changed quite a lot in the last decade,” observed Iris Kadouri Rezenbah, designer and owner of Iris Design Studio. “Now there is a sense of longing for the past, where objects were crafted and not
manufactured; perhaps a natural response to ever growing industrialization. Incorporating a custom or bespoke object in a space brings a feel of warmth and exclusivity. use of raw or even forgotten materials is a reminder of the thought and care that used to be invested in each and every item. The design turns into a reminder of a world less crowded, less duplicated, in which every space, street, city or country had its own authenticity.”
The Jorge lamp creates this authentic effect. Crafted uniquely for NoPI restaurant in London, it uses traditional lighting materials and form. The beauty of these fixtures is noticed immediately when walking into the restaurant and the modern, bright environment emphasizes them even more. And whilst lights themselves create such an impact, their controls and switches must also add to the overall design and be as stylish as the rest of the room.
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With many high profile hotel and venue projects to its credit, the Hamilton Team is in a position to confidently advise designers and specifiers on a range of decorative electrical wiring accessories, lighting control and audio systems solutions.
“Responding to the current contemporary design theme Hamilton has seen
considerable interest in its Sheer range,” said Ian Hamilton, Managing Director of Hamilton Litestat. “Sheer’s minimalist flat plate switches and sockets meld seamlessly into today’s interiors. Mixing box fix with grid and concealed fixing in this range allows it to be very flexible for different areas of a project, and costs can be minimised without losing continuity of design. For a more classic feel there is Cheriton, with its traditional but simple plates consisting of two designs, georgian rope-edge and Victorian plain. Both deliver the functionality required without compromising on style. often in hotel projects the specific requirements means that standard products aren’t suitable – which is where Hamilton’s bespoke Savile Row service comes in.”
Hamilton is also seeing an increase in the number of lighting control and audio systems being specified within many small-medium sized hotels and function rooms. The Hamilton Mercury® Light control and multi-room audio system offers an effective solution here too as it’s flexible, easy to install and use.
So if you’ve ever sat down to read a menu and couldn’t make out the print – or alternatively thought you were under interrogation – remember there is no need for this. The solutions, both practical and beautiful, are there!
