LIGHTING DESIGN: an afterthought?

Often the afterthought, lighting still appears to be low down on the list of most home owners. Interior designers stress the importance of lighting design, clients agree but often struggle to pay anything more than... lip service to the idea.
London lighting retailers recently seem to have taken a different approach to the issue. As the likes of Mr Resistor start offering lighting consultancy services the high street finally makes room for light planning as well as the lamp selling. Specialised lighting consultancy used to be limited to projects with extremely healthy budgets. Naturally this raises the question of unbiased advice. Clearly, as fixed fees and hourly rates become more competitive, specifying becomes crucial. It is hardly surprising that some retailers - now consultants - will be specifying more or less exclusively from the manufacturers and ranges they stock. Nothing wrong with that if the products are worthy of the price tag!
As a clearer understanding of the subject emerges, as simple yet rational light layering becomes standard, as the function of each light source becomes more clearly defined .... only a select few lamps will be required to be decorative objects in our homes and more will be able to aim for excellence.