– interview with Beth Haley for Greater Nashville House and Home magazine

Kitchens have changed over the past few years. Please talk about the trends and what your clients are selecting in the way of kitchen lighting. Are people adding decorative lighting for style (such as chandeliers or other central fixtures) as well as task lighting, under counters and can lighting for overall light? Please talk about the trends you are seeing.

At Beth Haley Design we work hard to make the most of each element. With accent lighting, we expect the light to multi-task: create a mood or feeling and perform as task lighting. We tend toward green design - not only to get the best energy efficiency out of our lighting solutions, but also to gain the biggest bang when creating the mood and feeling;  hence, the multi-tasking accent light. We believe the two go hand in hand. The accent light can change the space from nostalgic, to contemporary, to artistic, to a feeling of Tuscany.

In what way has this changed in the past decade?

In the last decade, we have witnessed design becoming more available and approachable. Energy efficiency, which has the opportunity to play out in our design, has pulled to the forefront. Clients move from their homes or remodel because of lack of function and personal style. Kitchens are high on the list for function as they are the hub of our family life. As homeowners have transitioned to open kitchens and great rooms, the kitchen design creates an opportunity to select a multi-tasking fixture that creates the function they need and the feeling they most cherish.

What are we seeing in new and remodeled kitchen in the way of lighting? Are people interested in pendant lighting, under counter lighting, recessed, overhead and other fixtures?

Because function and feeling are so inter-related, we consider all levels and styles of lighting in each kitchen design. Selections are based on specific needs and client preferences; however, we almost never use just one type of lighting. If we did not use multi-levels of lighting, we would not serve the function of the space.

Interior Designers/home decorators have more options than ever before. Do you find customers more interested in style in kitchen lighting than in years past? Can you describe?

Yes, due to availability and approachability of design, clients are interested in personalizing their space.

Are there aspects of task lighting frequently overlooked by home decorators or designers?

Areas of opportunity are in dimming all dimmable light fixtures – dimmers save energy if used and create options for varying moods and function. Also, make sure that the lights used cover the area used for function. Often I see can lights placed behind the task area instead of in the task area.

What trends on the horizon for kitchen lighting?

Dimmable fluorescent lighting. More use, options and affordability in LED lighting.