LIGHTING Lessons

Got a penchant for pendants to light up your life? Deb Caruso asks the experts at Hermon Hermon for their illuminating advice.

While we can all appreciate the difference between good lighting and poor lighting, there are a few lessons to learn so it doesn’t lessen our living environment.

The husband-and-wife team at Hermon Hermon are the brightest sparks when it comes to lighting up your lives. In fact, you could say the combination of electrician David Hulstone and former interior designer Susanne Anthony, who both studied Lighting at RMIT, are an illuminating combination!

Since going from being customers of the iconic Hermon Hermon range to owning the business, Dave and Susanne relocated from Melbourne to Noosa, bringing decades of experience and a passion for good lighting.

The duo believe lighting is the secret weapon to a stunning space and that a good lighting plan is everything.

But it’s the size that matters with Susanne saying it is one of the most important elements of interior design.

“Pendant light location and scale, shape and material are all important aspects of creating a cohesive look,” she says. “Even an already-stunning architecturally-designed void can become a major style statement with oversized feature pendants.”

According to Susanne, pendants need to be hung according to the height of the ceiling in the room and what is placed below the pendant.

“A pendant that hangs over a dining table needs to suit the proportions of the dining table and the height of the ceiling,” she says. “You may even need two pendants over a long dining table to achieve even lighting.”

Good point – after all, who wants to be left in the dark at dinnertime?

While the rule of thumb is to hang the pendant with the base approximately 850cms above the table, Susanne recommends measuring 1650cms from the floor to the base of the pendant, as the electrician usually moves the dining table away while he’s installing the light and therefore has no point of reference.

Being in the lighting business with - and married to - a qualified electrician will give you that kind of ‘light bulb’ insight that makes these guys the go-to lighting experts.

From the dining table to the kitchen, Susanne says that kitchen benches and islands don’t necessarily need to have multiple pendants in a row.

“There is a case for task lighting in functional areas with an option of an oversize pendant or a waterfall of three smaller pendants at one end of the bench to create different zones and soften the hard edges,” she says.

When it comes to living areas and bedrooms, Susanne says there are formulas for selecting pendant sizes but nothing compares to standing in the room to experience the space.

In a hallway, one pendant might look mean whilst a row of three may create a dramatic effect.

One thing Susanne and Dave always agree on is installing dimmer switches to allow changes of atmosphere - and to choose quality light fittings that will contribute to the room’s appearance.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE!

Hermon Hermon are offering free in-home lighting consultations IN Noosa throughout autumn where they will work with you to understand your space, lifestyle needs and provide insight and advice on the best lighting solutions.

To find out more, book a consultation or to make an appointment to view the entire range in the showroom in Rene Street, Noosaville, email Susanne at info@hermonhermonlighting.com.au

SHINING LIGHTS

Hermon Hermon have developed a reputation for sourcing avant-garde lights that are also ethically and sustainably created with each piece designed and handmade by expert craftspeople.

According to Susanne, these particular numbers are the leading lights in the Noosa showroom... drumroll please...

Fandango Pendant Light

Designed by Danny Fang, hand made in The Philippines

Dutchman Danny Fang radiated from Design Academy Eindhoven in 1998. In 2007 Danny moved to Hong Kong where he set up Fang Studio Ltd. With the slogan “Create Love, Not More” Danny designs products and interiors for his clients from all over the world. His craftsmanship exhibits the essence of timelessness.

“I found a photo of a flamenco girl throwing her dress all around with great power and expression,” Danny says. “This photo inspired me to make a light with similar drama and expression to spice up our modernistic world. To achieve this theatre and energy we had to develop new materials. Through an intricate process of working on the materials, we created petals made of fabric that we could mould in any shape, diffusing the light and defying gravity. This light wants to dance in freedom, so give her space to work her gypsy magic.”

Little People Pendant

Designed by Kenneth Cobonpue

Unique objects inspired by nature, designed with emotion and crafted by hand. Kenneth began his design career after studies in Industrial Design in New York, which led to further studies in Italy and Germany. Returning to Cebu, using locally sourced and organic materials, the designs make a bold statement about style and sustainability. Hundreds of individual figurines embody the playful nature of the Little People. Salago fibre is applied by hand to add volume and body to a sculptural composition of steel. The result is both dramatic and meaningful, showing what happens when people unite and work together. Look closely and you will find an accented figure that stands out from the rest… a symbol of the unique creativity that resides in all of us – and a stunning conversation piece.