How We work

Stage 1: Initial Consultation

Every project begins with a conversation, ideally at planning or early design stage. The earlier lighting is considered, the more influence it has on the outcome. Decisions made before first fix cost nothing to change on paper. The same decisions made after boarding cost vastly more.

The consultation covers the scope of the project, whole house, single room or extension, the client's relationship with technology (if any) and how much control they want over their system on a daily basis, and the aesthetic direction of the space. A traditionally decorated room calls for a fundamentally different approach to a contemporary one. Lighting should serve the architecture, not contradict it.

We will ask to see any creative documents relating to the project. Moodboards, material samples, paint colours, fabric swatches. We want to know what furniture is going in, where artwork will hang, what objects matter to the people who live there. We want to know what colours the walls and ceilings will be. Light behaves differently on every surface and the specification has to account for that.

We will also want to know everything fixed that is going into the space. Joinery, kitchen, built in storage. These are the things the lighting will be asked to reveal.

We will also need to know the budget for lighting for the required zones as this will affect what is suggested - although if there is no fixed budget we can advise

Stage 2: Scheme Design

Working from the architect's drawings and the brief established at consultation, a full lighting scheme is developed for each required zone. This covers fixture selection and placement, zone and scene logic, control system recommendation, and switch and sensor positions.

Two documents are produced. A presentation plan showing the atmospheric intent of the scheme. A technical plan showing fixture types, circuit references, zone boundaries and control points, formatted for the electrician to price and install from. We will also advise on scenes for the keypads - to be programmed later. We can advise on specific products to be bought - and provide a sheet showing tips on what not to buy

Stage 3: First Fix Review

Before ceilings and walls are closed, a site visit confirms that cable and back box positions match the drawing. This is the last opportunity to move anything without opening up finished surfaces. Small deviations that seem insignificant at first fix can materially affect how a beam lands. This stage is not optional on any project where the outcome matters.

Stage 4: Aiming and Commissioning

Once all fixtures are installed and powered, every adjustable fitting is physically aimed and set. Track heads, directional downlights, wall washers. This work requires the same eye that designed the scheme to make the final calls on site.

Where a basic lighting control system is being installed by us , scenes are programmed and adjusted until they feel right in the actual space. Light levels on paper are a starting point. The commissioning visit is where the scheme comes alive. if a more involved control system such as control 4 or lutron is being installed by a third party we will spend a day with them commissioning scenes

What We Need From You

To produce the best possible scheme we ask for:

Architect's drawings in PDF or DWG format. Any creative direction documents, moodboards, material palettes, paint specifications. Confirmation of all fixed elements going into the space, kitchen, joinery, furniture layouts, artwork positions. An honest conversation about budget, both for the design fee and for the fixture specification.

The more we understand about how you live and what matters to you in your home, the more precisely we can light it.