Confused between decorative and architectural lighting? You're not alone, but help is at hand

Finally, says Giles Kime, help is at hand for anyone blinded by the Byzantine complexity of architectural lighting.

When Giles Redman launched Corston to take the headache out of anyone planning a lighting project, his instinct was to distinguish between decorative lighting and architectural lighting.

The two do very different things; decorative lights, such as table lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lights, don’t just illuminate a space with warm, often subdued light, they also create mood and interest, and add symmetry and focal points to a scheme when needed. . In many cases, its manufacture requires craftsmanship that might otherwise disappear and materials that would otherwise rarely see the light of day, such as gilding, alabaster, and bronze.

Along with creating an extensive range of expertly designed door hardware, hooks, locks, latches, sockets and switches, Corston also tackles the rather confusing issue of architectural lighting that has come to receive more attention as home planning has become more open. and kitchens have become larger and more multifunctional. It also has the advantage of creating a simpler and more concise space.

Empathetic and effective coverage of these areas requires thought. The problem, Mr. Redman points out, is that the wrong architectural lighting can kill even the most carefully planned interior. What’s more, a vast, growing selection and ever-evolving technology lead many people to believe that the right decision is the prerogative of a professional. While the latter may solve the problem, there can also be a danger that professionals will refine elaborate plans that leave the room looking more like a commercial space than a home.

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By simplifying lighting, Mr. Redman hopes Corston will encourage non-professionals to create their own lighting schemes. “People think that when illuminating a large space, it is necessary to illuminate it entirely, which is why so many lighting schemes involve a symmetrical arrangement of fixed low-current points. It takes a hammer to crack a nut, and that could mean rooms aren’t always the best place to stay.”

He believes it makes more sense to use the room plan to identify areas that require lighting (such as worktops, stairs, and artwork) and match directional lighting accordingly. With that in mind, it offers a wide range of adjustable spotlights that can be focused where you want. Lighting seems to be an area where less is more.

Corston (01249 549332; www.corston.com)