7 Light Fixtures that Exemplify Luxury

INSTANTLY ENHANCE YOUR HOME DECOR WITH STATEMENT LIGHTING.

White Shells Gold Metal Empire Chandelier - Lisa Gilmore Design

Dazzling House and Room Lighting Inspiration.

Lighting is one of the most effective and easiest ways to add interest and character to a home. For example, have you ever seen George Clooney’s twine-wrapped lanterns or Diane Keaton’s eye-catching inverted lampshades? Gorgeous!

Lighting is also a fantastic way to infuse your personality and style into your home. Lisa Gilmore Design selects home lighting that adds personality whether they are unique design trade creations, custom pieces, antique finds, or heirloom treasures.

Make sure to read until the end where we reveal some key facts for choosing the very best lighting for your home.

7 Stunning Statement Lights

Of the many client homes that we have designed and reenvisioned, these are some of our favorite lighting features.

Crystal Chandelier Remix

The Lisa Gilmore Design team chose a Currey & Co chandelier with earthy, hanging crystals for the dining room. It adds the perfect wow factor to this Caribbean-inspired home in the Snell Isle neighborhood in St. Petersburg. The chandelier’s gold metal design provides a touch of sparkle that coordinates with the lighted discovery boxes on the wine wall.

Brass Banana Leaf Chandelier

The goal for this Gulf Coast condo in Tierra Verde was to create a waterfront boutique hotel-inspired space– something that was artsy and bold without being overwhelming. As Lisa was designing this dining room, she had a vision of brass banana leaves dancing gracefully over the table. When our team couldn’t find anything similar from all of our trade resources, Lisa designed the piece herself and had it fabricated locally. It is a conversation starter for sure.

Vintage Italian Glass Chandelier

The owners of this home in Clearwater, Florida wanted their spaces to have a curated feel rather than a cookie-cutter look that had been sourced from a catalog. The Lisa Gilmore Design team brought that concept to life in the primary suite with a custom braided rug, Pierre Frey embroidered bed frame, and geometric drapery. The pièce de résistance, however, was the feathered chandelier, made of vintage Italian Murano glass from 1960. We imported the chandelier from Italy and had it rewired locally to meet U.S. electrical standards.

Vintage Italian Brass Chandelier

Another space in the Clearwater home was a walk-in wine room. Though your eyes may be first drawn to the client’s 300-year-old French doors, don’t miss the vintage Italian chandelier with aged-brass flowers. Lisa found this petite chandelier on an antique sourcing trip in Atlanta and knew it would be the perfect finishing touch for this special wine room!

Whimsical Flush Mount Chandelier

This mid-century home in historic St. Petersburg was not a great match for the homeowners’ bohemian-modern style. This room, their daughter’s bathroom, was designed by LGD Senior Designer Nicole Maldonado. Nicole selected a playful, flush-mount floral chandelier for the space that pops against the dusty rose walls and ceiling.

Heirloom Venetian Chandelier

The owners of this new construction home in St. Petersburg had a few things in mind when we began working on their project. They wanted calming colors and a monochromatic look, and they wanted to incorporate his mother’s heirloom Venetian chandelier. The Lisa Gilmore Design team added it to the primary bedroom for a splash of glamour and history and used modern drapery fabric and bedding in soft tones to make the space feel more contemporary.

Chihuly-Style Lighting in Bold Powder Room

When the Lisa Gilmore Design team met these clients, they were selling their Snell Isle home and moving to a ONE St. Petersburg condominium. The homeowners were looking for a super modern, chic look with traditional undertones. They were thrilled with our design’s bold raspberry color for the study and powder room. The powder room also features this striking Chihuly-inspired blown glass flush mount, which adds the perfect bit of wildness to the modern design. We kept the sconce that is built into the mirror simple, so it wouldn’t compete with all the lovely details in the small powder room.

FAQs

1. What is good lighting for interior design?

Three expert interior design tips for luxury lighting include:

• A mixture of hanging light fixtures and lamps ensures a lovely mix of lighting options. And if you want to take it up a notch, sconces add ambiance and glow. 

• Always request dimmers when working with an electrician. Plus, recessed can lights should be in the middle warmth range of about 2700K to 3000K. These color tones will play nicely with the other light fixtures in your home.

• Don't be afraid to go a little big and grand with your lighting. As a room of thumb, the bottom of your dining room chandelier should be roughly 66 to 68 inches from the floor. 

2. What are the types of lights in home decor?

There are three types of lighting in home decor– ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting provides broad illumination to a space, such as ceiling-mounted lights. Task lighting supplies light to a specific area, such as table lamps or under-cabinet lighting. Accent lighting is used to highlight certain areas or features, such as track lighting or lighting mounted above artwork.

3. What are the different types of lighting in interior design?

There are many different types of lights used in interior design. Some of the most common include chandeliers, recessed lighting, track lighting, pendant lights, table and floor lamps, and sconces.

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta said, “The most important thing? Perfect lighting at all times.” Though he was referring to fashion, the same can be said for home lighting. Whether it’s through the use of chandeliers, table lamps, lanterns, or wall sconces, the right lighting can take your space from fair to fabulous.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We have been named an Architectural Digest Leading Southwest Florida Designer and a Top 25 Design Florida Firm by Design + Decor. Lisa Gilmore Design has also been featured in top design publications such as Florida Design, Aspire Home and Rue Magazine. We serve homeowners in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Hyde Park, South Tampa and worldwide.

Our Love Letter to Tile: A Striking Addition to Any Space

DISCOVER ALTERNATIVES TO CARRARA MARBLE AND PORCELAIN.

Fresh Color Block Modern Kitchen - Lisa Gilmore Design

Lisa Gilmore Design clients want luxurious, curated spaces filled with custom and one-of-a-kind pieces. And, they often think we can achieve that through furnishings.

While that is true, another often overlooked way to inject color, personality, and character into a space is through tile.

The most common types of tile like ceramic and porcelain may not have much personality. And, even Carrara marble has become standard in luxury homes. But, there are several other options such as concrete and hand-painted tile that add glamour and an artisan feel to a space.

9 Interior Design Projects Showcasing Stunning Tile

Take a look at these Lisa Gilmore Design projects that feature show-stopping tile.

Geometric Marble Backsplash

This luxury condo kitchen features a custom marble geometric backsplash in a classic monochromatic color scheme.

Concrete Pool Deck

This backyard features a pool deck with a neutral tile underfoot. For the stair risers and outdoor kitchen backsplash, we incorporated a wonderful, hand-crafted concrete tile in a fun pattern, again adding visual interest - but not overpowering the space. We also incorporated this tile on the stair risers to the entry of the home, so it is a continuous thread throughout the property.

Arto Tile Outdoor Kitchen - Lisa Gilmore Design

Custom Home Snell Isle - Interiors by Lisa Gilmore Design

Patterned Tile Floor

The tile in this primary bath adds a pop of glam that the room needed to go from good to magazine worthy. Who needs rugs in a bathroom when you have this beautiful pattern throughout?!

Modern Terrazzo Kitchen

The backsplash for this waterfront vacation condo features a modern terrazzo that brings the kitchen to life.

Hand-crafted Relief Tile

For this client’s backsplash, we chose hand-crafted relief molds on terracotta that pop against the modern appliances and cabinetry. This creates so much visual interest while remaining calm and monochromatic.

Black & White Terrazzo Floor

This luxury condo is filled with lots of pattern and color, however, we wanted the kitchen to be a bit more calm but still interesting. This kitchen’s backsplash features tile with an irregular dot pattern for an understated modern look. It balances wonderfully with the two-tone kitchen cabinets and the busy terrazzo we installed on the floor. 

Hand Painted Tabarka Tile

This walk-in wine room features layers and layers of history, from the 300-year-old doors found in Paris to the antique chandelier and footstool. We complimented all of these worn-with-love items with a beautiful back wall of hand-painted tile. It’s the perfect backdrop for beloved glassware and objects.

Patterned Terracotta Tile

Hand-painted terracotta tile adds a splash of color to this white kitchen and makes the cabinet hardware pop.

Floral Marble Bathroom

This home renovation didn’t miss the opportunity for a wow factor. This floral backdrop is made of stunning waterjet cut marble, creating a calm and relaxing motif for this primary bathroom. 

These nine projects feature just a few of the many ways tile can be used to add personality, character, and color to a space. It’s elements like these, paired with custom furnishings and vintage pieces that create curated, luxurious spaces that are the embodiment of liveable glamour.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Modern to Traditional Living Room Makeover

One of the biggest benefits of building a home is being able to choose everything– from the crown molding to the flooring and everything in between.

But people who desire a home with character or one in an established neighborhood usually buy a pre-owned home. While pre-owned homes have many advantages, it’s common for buyers to get a home that doesn’t exactly fit their style.

Think wall-to-wall carpet, dark wood paneling, popcorn ceilings, and pastel bathrooms. 

And, though our client’s newly purchased home wasn’t outdated, it still didn’t fit her traditional and elegant style. 

One room the Lisa Gilmore Design team re-envisioned was the formal living room.

Formal living room before

Before, the room was a bit too modern with a crystal chandelier, light coastal blue walls, and dark wood flooring. 

Formal living room before renovation

To make the room feel more timeless, we chose a palette of softened primary colors mixed with neutrals. The gorgeous, classic chinoiserie wallpaper creates a feeling of being at one with nature, while delicate ornaments featuring birds and rabbits embody life.

We were also able to reuse the homeowner’s side chairs and reupholster them in a light, cream fabric.

Lisa Gilmore Design | Native House Photography

Our goal for the entire home renovation was to add warmth and luxury to the space, while ensuring it was still inviting at the same time. You can read more about the whole project at Homes and Gardens.

But if you are unable to completely renovate a room, there are still ways to inject your style into a room. Consider small investments such as changing the lighting, painting the walls or furniture, replacing the window treatments, or adding accessories like rugs, art, and decorative accents.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

4 Things to Consider Before Renovating a Room

This is the time of year when many people like to dream about what the year will look like and what they want in many areas of their lives. One of those areas is the home.

Lisa Gilmore Design | Seamus Payne Photography

As you look around your home, there may be one or several areas you aren’t 100% happy with, but it can feel daunting to decide where to start and what to do first.

A whole house renovation is overwhelming for most homeowners, and sometimes it’s better to start with one or two spaces. However, it can be hard to pare down your wish list.

That’s where Lisa Gilmore Design can help.

Whether we are working with a new client or just giving general advice to someone, we recommend a homeowner think through these four aspects of a design before beginning a project.

4 Things to Consider at the Beginning of a Design Project

1. Don’t worry about labels.
Sometimes, people get stuck trying to find the right label to describe their style like mid-century modern, coastal, or farmhouse. But, trying to find the perfect words can cause stress and stop a project before it begins. 

Lisa Gilmore Design | Native House Photography

One of the best things about working with a professional design firm is we break through those barriers and labels, help you clearly define what you like, and create a style just for you. If you have a space that has been customized for your unique style, labeling it no longer matters; you just feel at home.

2. Understand your style.

Lisa Gilmore Design | Seamus Payne Photography

Though having a label isn’t important, knowing what you like is. Looking at magazines is often especially helpful in identifying what you do and don’t like.

While sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Houzz are also great for inspiration, sometimes they can offer too many options, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed and distracted. If you are struggling to identify what you like, go to a local store and pick up a few of the major design publications, such as Elle Decor, Traditional Home, and Architectural Digest. Dive into the pages; tear out things you like and circle specific furniture pieces or colors that catch your attention. Allow yourself to focus on the pages of the magazine and zero in on what is attractive (or not) to you!

3. Prioritize room functions.
If you want your professional or DIY design to be successful, it is critical to define how you want a room to function. 

 For example, if we are working on a guest room, but you really want it to be a playroom that a guest occasionally sleeps in, that is an important detail to share. Professional designers can create spaces that meet multiple needs and still look beautiful. But first, you must thoroughly communicate your needs.

4. Narrow down your color palette. 

Though it’s fun to dream about what furniture or lighting would look amazing in a space, it’s really better to start with a room’s color.

Color is important, but it also differs from person to person. So, what colors make you feel good? What colors make you the most comfortable?

We recommend people start by looking in their closets. Do a quick scan of your wardrobe. What is the dominant color? Often we can start there to build a design. 

Sometimes people realize they have a closet full of black and want more color in their life. That's okay too. This is simply a starting exercise to help you identify how different colors make you feel and which you are naturally attracted to.

Lisa Gilmore Design | Native House Photography

Considering these four areas before you contact a design firm or visit a home improvement store will make your project less stressful. Knowing your budget and when you would like the project to be completed are also critical things to know before beginning.

Just like a vacation is more enjoyable if you know things like what you want to get out of the trip and what type of hotels you like to stay at – all before you book anything. The same applies to your home renovation projects.

The most successful projects are those that are well-thought-out and well-planned before the project starts. 

If you are considering a project that would benefit from professional design services, we would love to help.

To get more advice from Lisa Gilmore Design, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.