Exterior and Interior Lighting Selections

Marnie Custom Homes Jan 26, 2022 • 8 min read

In order to brighten up the winter season, I’m highlighting some of my favorite lighting selections with links for you to shop and design photos so you can see how each option looks in a completed space.

From lanterns and sconces to chandeliers and pendant lights, the options can seem overwhelming. And because lighting is such an important design detail as it has the ability to completely transform the mood and ambiance of a room, I turned to our Marnie Custom Homes’ Selections Coordinator, Tammy who is a Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC)—only one of 180 professionals in the nation with this certification.

Tammy and I recently discussed some top lighting tips which you can watch on my Instagram @marnieoursler here.

For example, when shopping for a chandelier the most important detail to know is your ceiling height which will determine the height of the chandelier. If hanging a chandelier over a table, you need to consider the width of the table, as it’s best to leave 6 to 12 inches on either side of the chandelier (the average size table is 42 inches and the average size chandelier width is 24-30 inches). In a foyer, the ceiling height is a major factor, as are the length and width of the space, which we add together to determine the chandelier size (if your foyer is 12 feet x 12 feet, you need a 24-inch chandelier).

When it comes to the best exterior light finishes for our beach builds, we look for options that won’t rust when exposed to the elements. These include solid brass that’s been oxidized as well as composite which is also oceanfront safe. We often use composite lights for our beach builds which come in white, black and brass.

As for lighting trends in 2022, we’re seeing a lot of clean and open lines with natural materials. Smart lightbulbs are also on the rise as they can be controlled from your Smartphone to create different scenes. Other trends include square recessed lights, long and tall sconces as well as options using sustainable resources.

Overall, our go-to lighting resources are Serena & Lily, Hinkley, Northeast Lantern, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Ro-Sham-Beaux, Visual Comfort, Shades of Light and Meadow Blue. Many of these brands are showcased below in my favorite beach house lighting selections.