DISCOVER THE INSPIRATION
Light Matters!
Bringing the right light into your home.
Hi, I’m Sylvie, a lighting consultant and designer based in Sevenoaks and London.
I’m a firm believer that light is the most powerful element in our lives. It shapes how we live, influences our emotions, and alters the way we perceive our surroundings. I also believe that everyone deserves good lighting — not just as a luxury, but as a fundamental part of feeling at home, at ease, and inspired in their space.
We live in a world oversaturated with products, where lighting is often chosen based on size, colour, or shape. But I believe what matters most is how light makes you feel. The right lighting transforms a space — it creates calm, warmth, energy, or intimacy. Get it wrong, and suddenly a room can feel cold, unwelcoming, or even anxiety-inducing. Light is a magical tool, and used correctly, it can genuinely enhance our well-being.
My Background
Before lighting design, I had a long and successful international career in law. I worked as a qualified lawyer with one of the world’s top international law firms in Rome, as well as with leading institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the International Development Law Organization. I advised on international and corporate tax law, human rights, and development law, delivering high-level legal services across Europe and beyond.
So Why Lighting?
After years of working in environments where clarity, precision, and detail were everything, I found myself becoming more and more drawn to the way light affects how we feel in a space. What started as a quiet fascination gradually turned into a passion, and eventually, a new professional direction.
To really dive in, I sought out training from some of the most respected names in the field like Sally Storey and Rebecca Weir at the KLC School of Design — both incredibly inspiring experiences that opened my eyes to the creative and technical sides of lighting. Masterclasses at the Royal Society of Light and Lighting, which focused on how light impacts our health, mood, and overall well-being, also shaped the way I think about lighting — not just as a design element, but as a vital part of how we experience and interact with our spaces. These experiences didn’t just teach me the design principles, they showed me how powerful light really is in shaping the way we live, and how much of a difference it can make when it's done well.
How I work.
Every space has key lighting requirements — general lighting, task lighting, accent lighting, and more. I assist clients in creating a unique and cohesive lighting experience by selecting fittings that enhance interiors, bring a home to life, provide the correct light for practical purposes, set zones and points of focus, and create a feeling of warmth and intimacy. One of my core strengths is the ability to quickly see which parts of a building or space need to be elevated through lighting — whether that’s highlighting architectural features, improving functionality, or adding emotional depth. I also focus on striking the right balance between light and shadow, ensuring that different layers of lighting — from ambient to accent — work together harmoniously throughout the home.
My approach saves clients enormous time, as I take care of selecting the lights, sparing them from endless browsing through countless lighting websites—some of which can be unreliable or misleading. It is my expertise to appreciate the lighting needs of each space in tune with my client’s needs and feelings and to ensure that my bespoke lighting solution works perfectly for the desired lighting effect.
Where I work.
I serve clients across London, Kent, and Surrey, including areas such as Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Oxted, Haslemere, Borough Green, West Malling, Orpington, Bromley, Westerham, Dartford, and Chislehurst.
WORK WITH
Sevenoaks Lighting Design works with Catellani & Smith, Astrolighting, DGA, Healthfield & Co, Moooi, Axolight, Flos, Artemide, Fontana Arte, Davide Groppi, Light Graphix, Foscarini, Nyta Lighting, Lodes
TESTIMONIALS & PRESS
"We have worked with Sylvie for designing a light plan for our new house in Amsterdam. As we went through a major renovation project, it provided an excellent opportunity to rethink the way we bring the right lighting into the house. Sylvie has been a great help in co-creating the design but also ensuring the technical aspects are well thought through. It was an enriching experience for us ...
SOUTHSIDE MAGAZINE MAY 2018
We were very pleased to be featured in Southside magazine. Read the full article here
CATELLANI & SMITH WEBSITE
We are very happy to share that one of my latest lighting projects is listed in the Catellani & Smith website.
View the piece here
HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT LIGHTING
With the proper lighting, your home can feel warm and inviting. There are many different types of home lighting from which to choose; depending on the area, you'll want to pick the perfect type for your space. Floor lamps help to bring a cozy ambience to a living room or bedroom, while chandeliers add a touch of sophistication to formal dining rooms or foyers. Hanging pendant lights are ideal for highlighting works of art in galleries or kitchens. For functional lighting, track lighting works well in offices and libraries while recessed ceiling fixtures can be used in any room to produce bright ambient light. Task lighting is essential in craft rooms or work spaces and wall sconces can create an accentuated look in hallways or bathrooms. With a little forethought about preferred styles, finishes and functions, you're sure to find the ideal home lighting solution for each area of your home.
Home lighting fixtures and fittings are an important part of the home decor, providing both purposeful and aesthetic value. Different rooms in a house often require different types of lighting to create the right ambience. A bright and airy kitchen might look better with track lighting or pendant lights, while a cozy living room might benefit from wall sconces or under-cabinet lights. In addition to traditional fixtures like these, area rugs add dimension and character, as well as additional illumination when used in combination with floor lamps, vanity lights, or even desk lamps. The possibilities are endless, so have fun exploring all of your options to ensure that every corner of your home is properly lit!
Ready to transform your spaces with custom lighting designs?
Sevenoaks Lighting Design offers bespoke interior lighting solutions tailored specifically to your needs. Our personal approach will help you discover the best means of highlighting features within each space, creating an inviting ambiance that is sure to impress. From choosing the right types of lamps and light fixtures, to advising on how much wattage you need -we cover it all!
You’ll be able to find stylish yet practical ways of improving any room in your home or business whilst ensuring the plans are mindful of energy efficiency too. As certified green designers we'll contribute cleverly towards a more sustainable future for everyone. We have years of experience combined with our unique creative flair so let us take care of transforming those drab corners into luscious living areas!
Book a free initial consultation today and start seeing amazing changes in no time!
FAQS
What are the 5 steps in lighting design?
Lighting design is an important aspect of any kind of interior design setting. It sets the atmosphere, emphasizes the focal points and elements, and gives life to a room or other environment. Designing the perfect lighting scheme involves understanding these principles and then carrying them out in five simple steps. The first step is to assess the area and identify any desired focal points or elements as well as traffic patterns. Second, determine what kind of light fixtures are most appropriate for the area while keeping in mind aesthetic qualities like colour temperature and glare control. Third, consider task lighting needs when applicable, such as lamps by chairs for reading tasks or brighter lights over desks for gaming or studying. Fourth, figure out a lighting layout that places lights at safe distances from flammable materials and also allows for efficient illumination throughout the space. Finally, once all this is finalized, physical installation can begin before finishing it up with further adjustments like adding dimmer switches and choosing finishes.
What is lighting design concept?
Lighting design concept is a system for creating the atmosphere and enhancing the aesthetics of interior space with the use of light. This includes accent lighting for objects, task lighting for tasks, general illumination for ambient light, and specialized treatments like coloured light or patterns. By utilizing different types of lamps like recessed cans and track heads, along with dimmer switches to change brightness levels, lighting designers help to make a room more inviting while also making it easier to get around in. Furthermore, they take environmental factors such as natural daylight into account when planning out their lighting plan. Ultimately, a successful lighting design incorporates all of these elements by allowing the user to customize the experience to his or her liking in order to create a truly immersive space.
What does a lighting designer do?
Interior lighting design is a critical aspect of home décor, providing both beauty and practicality. A skilled interior lighting designer understands the importance of artfully arranging lighting fixtures to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that also meets safety requirements. These professionals can help homeowners decide on the perfect combination of ceiling-mounted lights, sconces, wall lights, floor lamps, and table lamps to create an inviting atmosphere while also providing adequate levels of illumination throughout the house. Furthermore, interior lighting designers have the expertise to make adjustments in order to enhance specific features or areas in any room. With their knowledge of electrical wiring and connections, these professionals can make sure that all components are working together for maximum effect. Ultimately, an interior lighting designer helps turn a house into a home by creating the ideal atmosphere through expertly crafted light designs.
How do you design good lighting?
Designing good interior lighting in your home can greatly enhance the atmosphere and beauty of any room. The key to achieving this is careful consideration given to the functionality and style each room needs. First, you'll have to assess how much natural light a room already has - adding appropriate artificial light that will work in partnership with your windows can be especially effective. Lights should be chosen which are adjustable according to the activities you plan on doing, such as overhead lighting for reading and minimal lamps for setting an intimate mood. When selecting specific fittings, think about their design and colouring; try mixing high-quality shades of white for a refreshing illuminated look or a warmer glow with yellow-tinted bulbs to make people feel comfortable. With a bit of imagination and planning ahead, you can create a beautiful home environment using good interior lighting.
What are typical lighting design fees?
While lighting design fees vary significantly based on the size and scope of the project, typical fees can include an hourly rate for services, a fixed fee, or a percentage of construction costs. For more basic designs, a revamp of existing lighting systems, or something like designing track lighting in a retail space, the fees charged are usually considerably lower than those involved with larger projects such as designing a complex LED showroom or theatrical lighting displays. Some designers also offer reduced rates and discounts when they take on multiple lighting design projects at once. Overall, there is no single standard fee when it comes to lighting design; each situation is different and can require any combination of hourly rates, flat fees, and pricing based on cost of materials.
Is designer lighting worth the money?
Designer lighting is a great choice for those who appreciate style and want to make the most of it in their home. Not only does designer lighting bring high-end aesthetic appeal, but it also helps create an atmosphere that sets the mood of a room. It provides the right level of brightness and warmth that can easily be adjusted to suit different needs, making any living space look and feel more inviting. Furthermore, designer lighting is often easy to install and cost-efficient compare to other types of lighting. When used properly, these pieces can make all the difference in transforming any space into something truly unique and special.