Illumination!
The first house to have electric light was in 1879. By 1882 eight five customers had a total of four hundred bulbs burning and affluent London streets had electric street lighting - but it wasn’t until after the First World War electricity was being installed into homes in any numbers with many poorer areas waiting until the 1950s. How far we have come! Technology (what would we do without it?!) creates scenarios that homes consume vast amounts of electricity with many selling their surplus back to the National Grid. The planet pays a price for the excessive power we demand to live our power and light filled lives- thankfully less damaging sources of power are constantly being developed to feed the demand. They bring their own issues and can be controversial but no one is prepared to reduce their personal demand so solutions must be constantly sourced.
The passion for improving one’s living space is ongoing and specialists are on hand to guide you through the maze of choices for every budget. Devon’s leading lighting designer, David Amos of Amos Lighting (www.amoslighting.co.uk) will enthral you with the multitude of creative possibilities achievable – in his own words: “Lighting has the incredible ability to transform your home. Carefully considered lighting is no longer a single bulb or raft of downlights but a design tool to make your room into a beautiful space”
It isn’t just contemporary, new build homes that benefit from creative lighting schemes. Restoration schemes of period property benefit from sympathetic, innovative lighting schemes often enhancing otherwise hidden features. Wireless technology can minimise unsightly wires that were the prerogative of the 60s and 70s.
So, two modern properties at either end of the county. Both with the attraction of water - Above Creek, Kingswear (Savills 01548 800462) recently the subject of a total restoration with wide bi folding doors from the principle living space where the lighting is mood driven to reflect the multiple use of the room and change of usage at differing times of day – the outdoor space enjoys river views. At the northern end of the county Talisker in Croyde (Knight Frank 01392 423111), just 800 yards from the beach this seven bedroom house has again been the subject of a virtual new build with a forty six foot principle living space opening the full length of the room to a large terrace creating great indoor/outdoor living space. Again, lighting has been used to maximise the effect of the space both day and night time.
Effective lighting schemes aren’t restricted to just indoors. Sensor related outdoor lighting, particularly in darker, rural areas can ensure misfooting arrivals are led safely to your door in as dramatic a way as you can imagine!
So just a very few generations back our forbears lit their way to bed with a candle. Now our phones will programme the entire house with whatever mood we wish to create before we even get home! The result remains the same - “it’s all about coming home”.