More Than a Fixture: Designing with Light in Mind

When designing a home, lighting isn’t just a practical layer—it’s a storytelling tool. It sets the tone, defines the mood, and elevates every detail it touches. At our Essex Project, we approached lighting as a design language: soft yet sculptural, refined but playful. Every fixture was chosen not just to illuminate, but to add soul. More than a fixture designing with light in mind.

From the foyer to the bedrooms, the lighting scheme was crafted to complement the architecture and bring warmth to each space. And while every room has its own personality, the overall lighting story reads as cohesive and considered—modern, organic, and full of quiet drama.

Foyer: A Warm Welcome with Sculptural Simplicity

Lighting is the first storyteller in this home, and the foyer makes a memorable introduction. The chandelier’s soft, curved shades diffuse light beautifully, casting a warm, welcoming glow that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the house. With its elegant brass arms and sculptural presence, it feels more like a piece of art than a traditional ceiling fixture—elevating the entire entry with its quiet drama.

We complemented it with a simple ceramic table lamp perched on a natural wood console, creating a layered lighting moment that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Together, these two light sources bring dimension to the space—balancing ambient and task lighting while echoing the home's broader design language: modern, organic, and effortlessly refined.

This entry reminds us that lighting isn’t just about brightness—it’s about mood, material, and creating that first emotional connection as you walk through the door.

Library: Sculptural Layers and A Soft Functional Glow

In one of the home’s most impactful spaces—the library—we took a thoughtfully layered approach to lighting. The ceiling fixture is a standout: sculptural yet airy, it floats above like a modern mobile, bringing quiet drama and movement without competing with the bold millwork behind it. Its warm brass finish and softly diffused light add just the right amount of glow to highlight the custom picture ledge wall.

To round out the lighting story, we added a slender brass wall sconce and a ceramic table lamp—each element intentionally chosen to offer both atmosphere and utility. Together, this trio of light sources creates a space that feels warm, intimate, and highly functional. Whether you're reading, hosting, or simply soaking in the design, the lighting in this room sets the mood and makes every detail shine.

Family Room: Sculptural Forms with a Soft Glow

In the family room, lighting plays a quiet yet powerful role in shaping the space. A trio of sculptural fixtures—each distinct in form and scale—work together to create a layered, cohesive story. Their organic silhouettes and soft finishes introduce a sense of ease, while mixed materials add subtle visual interest and depth.

Rather than overpowering the room, these lights offer a gentle, ambient glow that enhances the space without competing with it. The lighting allows the natural textures, earthy tones, and inviting furnishings to shine—supporting the overall design while adding a refined sculptural element that feels effortless and elevated.

Kitchen + Dining: Understated Refinement with Sculptural Impact

In these hardworking heart-of-the-home spaces, we leaned into lighting that feels thoughtful, refined, and quietly confident. In the kitchen, minimalist dome pendants with a concrete-like finish introduces just the right amount of contrast—its tactile surface and grounded form playing beautifully against the clean cabinetry and warm-toned palette. It’s modern, unfussy, and completely at home in a space designed for everyday use.

Just steps away, the dining area delivers a more dramatic lighting moment. A sculptural chandelier with open, airy lines anchors the space without overwhelming it—playing with negative space and proportion in a way that feels both artistic and architectural. It becomes a conversation piece that draws the eye, while still allowing the room to feel open and inviting.

To soften the mood, we added a ceramic table lamp on the sideboard, casting a warm, ambient glow during evening gatherings. The layering of these three elements—pendant, chandelier, and lamp—creates a dynamic interplay of light that shifts seamlessly from day to night. It’s a study in contrast and cohesion: raw meets refined, bold meets quiet, all working together to elevate the everyday.

Bedrooms + Baths: Soft Layers of Light Design

In the private spaces of the home, lighting plays a central role in shaping a sense of calm, comfort, and quiet luxury. In the primary bedroom, a modern chandelier with gently sweeping lines brings softness and symmetry to the space—casting a diffused, ambient glow that enhances the serene atmosphere. Rather than overpowering, it adds just enough visual interest while echoing the room’s restful design language.

In the guest bedrooms and bathrooms, we embraced lighting as a subtle storytelling tool. A warm terracotta bedside lamp brings a cozy, grounded touch, while globe-like flush mounts add a timeless yet unexpected element overhead. Each fixture was chosen not only for its beauty, but for how it contributes to the layered experience of the room—creating soft pools of light, gentle contrast, and a sense of curated intimacy.

The Takeaway: More Than a Fixture Designing with Light in Mind is a Design Signature

At the Essex Residence, lighting was never an afterthought—it was a throughline, a signature, a defining element in the overall story of the home. Each fixture was selected with purpose: to elevate the architecture, enhance the material palette, and shift the mood from room to room. From sculptural chandeliers to understated table lamps, the lighting does more than illuminate—it creates atmosphere, sets tone, and brings each space into focus.

Whether it's a quiet glow in the bedroom or a bold moment on the stair landing, every light in this home was chosen to do what great lighting does best: shape how we feel in a space.

Obsessed with the lighting? We’ve linked our favorite pieces below so you can recreate the glow at home.