Pendants to Portables: How Thoughtful Lighting Shapes Mood, Function, and Style
Your home changes the moment the lights come on. We unpack how to design that moment with intention—layering pendants, sconces, table lamps and portables—so evenings feel warm, useful and calm without relying on a ceiling full of downlights. With our shared love of colour, we explain why lighting often matters just as much for mood, comfort and character, and we walk through specific fixtures that deliver both beauty and function.We start with a clear framework: ambient light for glow, task light for clarity, and accent light to draw the eye. Then we get practical.Bree & Lauren share some of their favourite lights from Flos’ Superwire pendant that hides a smart downlight to Time & Style’s refined washi shades, we explore pieces that shift a room from flat to layered. We talk through Articolo’s 12:40 sconce and its clever forward/back glow, Marz Designs’ handcrafted Australian options, and the quiet revolution of portable lamps—perfect for renters, dining tables and outdoor evenings. If you love icons, we spotlight Wästberg’s Chipperfield lamp and the Snoopy table lamp classic for timeless pools of flattering light. If sculpture is your thing, meet Guy Bareff’s illuminated forms. For architectural texture, we look at Volker Haug x Flack Studio’s Bruce. And for daily ritual, the Santa & Cole Cesta lamp delivers a soft lantern glow you’ll reach for every night.You’ll also get budget-friendly strategies: where to hunt vintage, how a simple paper shade can transform a room, and what to watch for with limited-edition collaborations. If this sparked ideas, subscribe, share with a design-loving friend, and leave a quick review—what’s the one light you can’t live without?Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Join Lauren online for a workshop to help break down the Design steps to run your project & business a little smoother with the Design Process MasterClass, opening 15th October! For more info see below The Design Process MasterClass ONLINE