Snapshot

KREATIVE LIGHTING STUDIO Based in the North East of England, Kreative Lighting Studio, founded by Kristina Barnes, brings a creative flair to projects across the UK, with a specialism in residential and hospitality destinations.

Charlton Hall Chathill, UK

Charlton Hall is a Grade II* listed 18th century hall located on a private countryside estate in Northumberland. Kreative Lighting Studio was appointed to deliver the lighting design for Charlton Hall’s main function room, The Looking Glass, a beautiful, versatile space that delivers on every reflective angle, in addition to lighting for the unconventional yet incredible bathrooms. With magnificent countryside views and a minimalist exterior, The Looking Glass is captivating both inside and out. To create a starry sky effect inspired by the dark skies of Northumberland, Kreative Lighting Studio used thousands of fibre ends supplied by a local manufacturer, UFO Lighting. The silver light installations illuminate gently from within, and as day turns to night, a galaxy of shooting stars emerges from a black ceiling whilst creating a true flow of outside/in design. Discrete recessed downlights disappear into the black sky, whilst throwing beautiful warm light onto the tables. Kreative Lighting Studio was also responsible for the lighting at Pole Barn, a fabulous seven-bedroom converted barn in the grounds of Charlton Hall, which sleeps 16 guests, alongside additional cottages/outbuildings that have been converted into buildings for wedding guests. Working in partnership with interior design practice, Jeffreys Interiors to create an idyllic dream getaway, all the lighting for the project was thoughtfully designed and supplied by Kreative Lighting Studio.

Darras Road Ponteland, UK

Located in the popular and sought-after village of Darras Hall, Kreative Lighting Studio upgraded the lighting for a residential property on Darras Road, Ponteland. On receiving a clear brief to make the house come to life, making it brighter and not so gloomy, Kristina Barnes and her team quickly got to work. Built by a developer more than five years ago, the owner felt the home needed an upgrade and change to the existing lighting to better suit their needs. Previously grids of GU10 downlights had been fitted, which were no longer aesthetically pleasing, and over the years several LED lamps had been added that were all of varying colours and brightness. Kreative Lighting Studio got to work and gained a real insight into how the client wanted to control the final project. There were limitations with what could be changed without too much disruption due to the wiring, small ceiling voids and beams. As such, the new lighting was sourced. Downlights with a 95+ CRI were installed, and this was a first for Kreative Lighting Studio. Casambi, a Bluetooth Wireless System was specified, and this was one of the largest residential projects Casambi had been specified on. With more than 100 modules to control, Kreative Lighting Studio programmed all the lighting throughout the house, enabling the client to make changes themself when required, which may include adding new table lights with Casambi lamps and to any new exterior lighting.

Rockliffe Hall County Durham, UK

Rockliffe Hall is a five-star luxury golf and spa hotel set in the quiet village of Hurworth on the edge of the County Durham and North Yorkshire border. Dating back to the 18th century, Rockliffe Hall is steeped in North Eastern history. Kreative Lighting Studio played a pivotal role in Rockliffe Hall’s renovation in 2010 following the purchase of the property by Middlesbrough Football Club. Involved from the onset on what was previously a derelict site, Kreative Lighting Studio provided the lighting design for all areas including three restaurants, five bars, three function rooms, landscaped gardens, façade lighting, reception areas, spa, gym, treatment rooms, the golf club, along with 64 high end bedrooms and suites. Kreative Lighting Studio was required to work on everything, from choosing the table lights, Dialux calculations for the streetlights and designing custom-made picture lights, in addition to setting up scenes in the late hours. At this time, it was the largest leisure project to use a DALI control system, and offered huge potential for the control. It was the first product chosen due to the limitations of wiring in the old hall, however it then became the preferred option of the design team for the entire project. For the hydropool in the spa, innovative lighting was selected to create a ripple effect with the colour change lighting in the ceiling ensuring the DALI control system was used to its full potential. Meanwhile, the 3AA Rosette Orangery restaurant benefitted from custom-made lighting by Stoane Lighting. Layers of light were created by oversized wall lanterns, table lights, in-ground uplights to columns and spotlights to highlight tables. It was also important for Kreative Lighting Studio to source sensitive external lighting for the Grade II listed building.

Brancepeth County Durham, UK

Making use of discrete architectural lighting can have a transformational impact on the property itself. For a private residence in County Durham, Kreative Lighting Studio received a brief to create a minimalistic design with a chic finish, and the final look was exceptional. Despite not wanting to draw too much attention to the lighting itself, the carefully thought-out design worked to maximise the space, creating depth and height, whilst at the same time drawing attention to the most impressive areas of the house. Through the use of wall lights, spotlights and pendants, Kreative Lighting Studio successfully provided multiple layers of light throughout the house. Slimline pendant lights were installed over the stairwell to complement the expansive use of glass, which acts as a banister to provide a focal point and create a real ‘wow’ factor to the hallway. This modern concept ensured there was no need for any chandeliers that would have felt excessive given the contemporary and minimalist design of the property. The carefully considered selection of decorative lighting by Kreative Lighting Studio was perfectly suited to the architecture of the property and its simple interior, while the installation of a KNX control system enables the owner to create atmospheric lighting throughout.

Kreative Lighting Studio

Kristina Barnes has a love of all things lighting, and brings her outstanding design skills, passion for innovation, excellent commercial sense, and infectious personality into every project she works on. Before beginning her own business, Barnes spent many years in London and Edinburgh, working for a number of major lighting design practices. Following this Kristina took the plunge and started her own business, KLS Lighting Design in 2007. She worked on a number of high-profile projects during this time, spanning different sectors and both interior and exterior spaces. As the credit-crunch hit, Barnes took time out to focus on having children and growing her family. To maintain her involvement in the lighting industry, she worked for a number of years in the commercial side of the lighting industry. By 2016, Barnes was ready to dive back into business ownership and as a lighting consultant. Kreative Lighting Studio was born, and she hasn’t looked back since. www.kls-light.co.uk