Shades Of Morocco: Ambient Lighting To Set An Exotic Mood
Too many times have I arrived at a friend’s place for an evening meetup and am greeted with overhead lighting that is too bright. That serves more to distract rather than add to the setting of a fun night. Accent lighting, usually achieved by using hanging pendant or wall lights, is the easiest way to make any space feel more inviting. It can turn a large, cavernous room into an intimate space. Conversely, it can transform a tiny nook into a feature that both you and your guests will love. To that end, here are some ideas to incorporate some Shades Of Morocco: Ambient Lighting To Set An Exotic Mood.
The Allure Of The Exotic
The right lighting can quickly and inexpensively transform your space while giving you the most bang for your buck. With a plethora of available lighting options and styles, it’s best to first decide on the style you want to play with and go from there.
When it comes to interior design, most people exist on a spectrum. At one end you have safe, comforting, neutral décor. It tends to be free from any hint of possible offensiveness to any of the senses. On the other end everything considered safe is entirely eclipsed by the bold, the risky, and the exotic. Most people exist somewhere in the region bridging the two.
There is a friend of mine who has traveled the world extensively over the years. She has amassed quite an eclectic collection of accents pieces. One of the best features, for me, has been the use of lighting accents, especially Moroccan. It gives a sense of striking mystery to otherwise drab corners. The rooms are enhanced, the overhead lighting is rarely flipped on. The resulting mood makes dinners, movies, or chats extending into the evening take center stage while the rest of the house just melts away.
The Allure Of The Exotic
The right lighting can quickly and inexpensively transform your space while giving you the most bang for your buck. With a plethora of available lighting options and styles, it’s best to first decide on the style you want to play with and go from there.
When it comes to interior design, most people exist on a spectrum. At one end you have safe, comforting, neutral décor. It tends to be free from any hint of possible offensiveness to any of the senses. On the other end everything considered safe is entirely eclipsed by the bold, the risky, and the exotic. Most people exist somewhere in the region bridging the two.
There is a friend of mine who has traveled the world extensively over the years. She has amassed quite an eclectic collection of accents pieces. One of the best features, for me, has been the use of lighting accents, especially Moroccan. It gives a sense of striking mystery to otherwise drab corners. The rooms are enhanced, the overhead lighting is rarely flipped on. The resulting mood makes dinners, movies, or chats extending into the evening take center stage while the rest of the house just melts away.
Shed Some Exotic Light On The Matter
You may be wondering why lighting matters. Bright overhead light does have a useful purpose when you’re cleaning. For everyday use, however, it tends to be too harsh and uninviting. It can prevent a space from feeling calm and relaxing. The use of accent lighting can not only create a welcoming ambiance, but can be a powerful tool to achieve a specific design look for your space. It gives you the flexibility to vary the lighting level to fit the needs of the moment.
With just a few different lamps and sconces, you can make your space feel extra special with minimal expense. An increasingly expanding array of options means you no longer need to be a skilled electrician to give your space a lighting upgrade. Need more light for that party? You’ve got the right lighting level to let everyone see what’s going on. Using that same space to watch a movie with someone special? Your smart lighting choices let you set the scene.
Shed Some Exotic Light On The Matter
You may be wondering why lighting matters. Bright overhead light does have a useful purpose when you’re cleaning. For everyday use, however, it tends to be too harsh and uninviting. It can prevent a space from feeling calm and relaxing. The use of accent lighting can not only create a welcoming ambiance, but can be a powerful tool to achieve a specific design look for your space. It gives you the flexibility to vary the lighting level to fit the needs of the moment.
With just a few different lamps and sconces, you can make your space feel extra special with minimal expense. An increasingly expanding array of options means you no longer need to be a skilled electrician to give your space a lighting upgrade. Need more light for that party? You’ve got the right lighting level to let everyone see what’s going on. Using that same space to watch a movie with someone special? Your smart lighting choices let you set the scene.
Here’s Looking At You… Moroccan Style
Morocco, the famous setting of the movie Casablanca is typically thought of as a romantic and exotic place. It has been inhabited by the Berbers for thousands of years while being occupied by the Romans, Moors, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. It has also received immigrants and migrating traders from sub-Saharan Africa throughout it’s entire history. This ancient confluence of cultures has led to a unique and eclectic design style that cannot be mistaken for anything else. Some distinct elements of Moroccan style are:
- Strong earthy colors reflecting of the Atlantic and Mediterranean to the west and north and the Sahara desert to the east and south.
- Luxurious fabrics draped on furniture, hung from the walls, and used as canopies.
- Low, intricately decorated furniture made even more inviting with an abundance of pillows.
- Purposeful use of elaborately crafted mirrors to reflect color, light, and expand small spaces.
- Generous use of dim lighting, usually hanging, which incorporates various metals, wood, and colored glass.
Here’s Looking At You… Moroccan Style
Morocco, the famous setting of the movie Casablanca is typically thought of as a romantic and exotic place. It has been inhabited by the Berbers for thousands of years while being occupied by the Romans, Moors, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. It has also received immigrants and migrating traders from sub-Saharan Africa throughout it’s entire history. This ancient confluence of cultures has led to a unique and eclectic design style that cannot be mistaken for anything else. Some distinct elements of Moroccan style are:
- Strong earthy colors reflecting of the Atlantic and Mediterranean to the west and north and the Sahara desert to the east and south.
- Luxurious fabrics draped on furniture, hung from the walls, and used as canopies.
- Low, intricately decorated furniture made even more inviting with an abundance of pillows.
- Purposeful use of elaborately crafted mirrors to reflect color, light, and expand small spaces.
- Generous use of dim lighting, usually hanging, which incorporates various metals, wood, and colored glass.
Moroccan Pendant Lighting
Moroccan Wall Lighting
Don’t Play Coy, Use Moroccan Ambient Lighting To Your Benefit
Too many times people get stuck in a rut with their spaces. It doesn’t have to be that way. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Do you like that color? Seek out accents to incorporate it. Want to try out a style like Moroccan? Invest in some pillows and fabric and a few pendant or wall lights. These types of things are easy to switch out and replace if you decide the look isn’t for you. Trust me, your space will feel much more rewarding to you if you make the attempt. With minimal effort, you too can can achieve Shades Of Morocco: Ambient Lighting To Set An Exotic Mood.
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