Brahman Perera, whose eponymous interior design studio has been shortlisted for the IDEA 2024 Designer of the Year, is known for experimental lighting and textile designs that imbue many of Melbourne’s hospitality, retail and residential spaces with unique character and sentiment. Some of these spaces feature the BP pendant made to order by Perera himself. Below, he shares his tips for balanced statement lighting and the pieces he loves.

Lighting is perhaps the most critical element of a space. If there is no light, one cannot see. But what separates and distinguishes the types of lighting, and their suitability to different spaces, is a subtle tapestry of colour, distribution and intensity. 

How to light a residential space

The first thing to assess and address when considering lighting in an interior space is its purpose and what functions are to be undertaken. 

Overhead downlighting will be key for workspaces like kitchens and bathrooms, but less so for living and resting. In any residential project, I like to include a decorative table lamp or wall lamp in a kitchen and bathroom, as I think it’s important for the space to have an ‘off’ mode in its utility that is still activated by a decorative element.  

Dimmable lighting is also key for residential lighting, as is layering with a mixture of floor and table lamps. But tread lightly, the accessibility of so many great feature lamps to consumers has led to a proliferation of spaces overrun by too many iconic lamps clustered in one space. Choose wisely, and only choose one (or two at a maximum) statement floor and table lamps.  

How to light for drama 

Whether in a private residential space or commercial and hospitality settings, dramatic lighting can be applied for a range of purposes: to feature a specific element or artwork, or to foster an emotive response. 

The Italians coined a term for it – chiaroscuro: creating a strong contrast in a singular frame or space of light and dark. Like in Caravaggio’s painting of Bacchus, the drama is played out through a darkened background and warmly lit foreground. Spotlights of various scales and sizes can be used to add both an element of drama, but also to zone and distinguish a space in a considered manner. 

When to opt for statement, sculptural lighting 

In fact, there are very few occasions not to go for statement and sculptural lighting. The key is moderation, and when it comes to statements, less is invariably more. 

Lighting designers I love 

I think Australia has some incredible lighting designers, including Moya Delany, Olivia Bossy, Tom Fereday, Studio Henry Wilson and Volker Haug.

Tips for working with lighting designers 

In most cases, lighting designers and manufacturers, both big and small, will be interested in accommodating custom projects and ideas; all you have to do is ask. I make my own BP pendant to order, and will invariably accommodate client’s requests for size or effect. The trick is for both the customer and designer to communicate clearly (email is always preferable to verbal communication) and establish an understanding early on.  

Standout lighting pieces from my recent projects 

There are a lot to choose from, but I will condense this to my top five: 

• The large Paloma pendant from In Common With for a residential project that is almost completed. 

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• I have been specifying using the Wood St lamp from BMDO for a lot of my residential projects, using amazing deadstock fabrics from the UK.

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• The fibreglass Mush lamp from Jorge Kilzi that was used in my latest Henne project.

• A collection of custom three-tiered Trio pendants from Snelling Studio in a hospitality project in Richmond that is near completion.

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• A classic for nearly any space: the Nota wall lamp from De Padova (used in my Holbrook House project).

Lead image of Brahman Perera by Timothy Kaye.

As the days grow incrementally longer, Australian Design Review (ADR) turns its attention to lighting. We’ve spoken to leading designers and invited them to share their expert insights on topics such as harnessing natural light, crafting thoughtfully orchestrated lighting design schemes, and their favourite lighting products. Read Gerald Matthews’ tips for lighting homes here.