Lighting Notes
Lighting knowledge for refined spaces.
Project Spotlights
Restaurant Lighting: A Case Study
Aug 13, 2026
How to light a restaurant properly — table and bar levels, the transition from street to dining room, why 2700K and CRI 90+ are non-negotiable, and the failure that flattens a room.
Trends
Hidden Lighting: Linear Profiles & Shadow Gaps
Aug 13, 2026
The 2026 move away from visible fixtures — recessed linear profiles, shadow gap detailing, under-shelf and under-tread concealment, and the cost reality behind the look.
Trends
The Return of Brass & Warm Metals
Aug 13, 2026
Brass, bronze and copper are dominating 2026 spec sheets — but not the polished brass of the 2010s. Finish types explained, pairing rules, and the mixed-metal question answered.
Technical Insights
Downlight Spacing & Layout Calculations
Aug 13, 2026
Actual numbers, not a generic grid. How far apart, how far off the wall, how many per room — plus beam angle selection and why too many downlights is worse than too few.
Technical Insights
Colour Temperature: Warm White vs Cool White
Aug 13, 2026
A specification guide to Kelvin. Which temperature suits which room, why consistency matters more than the number itself, and when a 3CCT tunable fitting is the right call.
Design Guides
Wall Lights: Height, Spacing & Layering
Aug 13, 2026
The wall light is the most underused layer in residential lighting. Mounting heights, hallway spacing, bedside placement, and when to choose up-down over down-only.
Design Guides
Outdoor Lighting: IP Ratings, Placement & Atmosphere
Aug 13, 2026
A practical specification guide to outdoor lighting — IP ratings, bollard and spike light placement, mounting heights, and how to build atmosphere instead of flooding a garden with light.
Trends
Architectural Minimalism: Lighting Design Trends for 2026
Jul 14, 2026
Discover 2026 lighting trends: architectural minimalism, warm precision, hidden layers, track systems, and low-glare design.
Project Spotlights
Statement Illumination: Styling Oversized Chandeliers
Jul 13, 2026
Learn how to choose, scale, and position oversized chandeliers for entrances, stairwells, dining rooms, and living spaces.
Design Guides
Creating a Spa Sanctuary: The Rules of Bathroom Illumination
Jul 13, 2026
Learn bathroom lighting rules for vanities, mirrors, showers, IP ratings, and warm spa-like illumination.
Design Guides
Layering Light: The Secret to a High-End Kitchen
Jul 13, 2026
Discover how to layer kitchen lighting with task, ambient, accent, and pendant light for a refined luxury kitchen.
Design Guides
The Perfect Proportion: How to Size and Hang Dining Room Pendants
Jul 13, 2026
Learn the ideal pendant size, height, and spacing for dining rooms with REO’s expert guide to elegant, balanced illumination.
Technical Insights
Magnetic vs. 3-Wire Track Systems: Specifying the Right Setup
Jul 8, 2026
Compare magnetic and 3-wire track lighting systems for residential, retail, hospitality, and architectural projects.
Technical Insights
Understanding IP Ratings for Outdoor Lighting in Coastal South Africa
Jul 8, 2026
Understand IP44, IP54, IP65, and IP67 ratings for outdoor lights in South Africa’s coastal and exposed environments.
Technical Insights
Why CRI Matters: Specifying Lighting for True Colour Representation
Jul 7, 2026
Learn why CRI matters for luxury interiors, retail, art, wardrobes, kitchens, bathrooms, and true colour accuracy.
Design Guides
The Cordless Revolution: Elevating Spaces with Rechargeable Lighting
Jul 7, 2026
Explore how cordless rechargeable lamps bring flexible, elegant lighting to dining tables, patios, bedrooms, and hospitality spaces.