Decorative lighting gallery in the heart of Tunbridge Wells offering 3000 lighting products for all areas including bathrooms, kitchens and external spaces. Lighting consultations available in our gallery, in your home and on-site.

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“Lighting up the world one little light at a time” EXPERT INTERVIEW 31 High Street - Royal Tunbridge Wells 01892 320198

Melissa Bandtock is the shining beacon behind one of Tunbridge Wells’ most impressive new retail locations lumière. Here she shares her insight into her business and passion.

Melissa, how would you describe the job of a lighting consultant?

I would describe it as ensuring that the lighting in a client’s home is perfect for them, their home and their use of that space.

What is the most common error you come across when it comes to lighting a home?

Probably using the wrong light bulbs, that can make a huge difference. The other thing I often find is that some homeowners don’t realise the impact of lighting and that lighting is the jewel of the home. Lighting can often be rushed and added as an afterthought which means it does not always actually take into account the use of that space; the need for slightly brighter lighting in a bathroom, dimmer lighting in the snug.

When you go into a client’s house to have a look around and come up with a plan, what is your process to go through?

Each client’s needs are completely different from one another. First I begin by asking the customer how they use the space in question and what look or impact they wish to achieve. I always like to start at the front of the house if I am working on the whole building as a project. In my opinion, the moment you arrive at the house, you should  www.lumieredujour.co.uk  @lumieredujouruk receive the first point of impact. The exterior lighting needs to flow with the internal lighting as you walk through the front door too so that is where I start.

Lighting design for If I am only working on an individual room, it is essential I take into account the style of room my clients are aiming for. If it is currently a building site, I may request to see mood boards, or photos to get a feel for the look and vibe they are hoping to achieve. I try to get the client to speak to me as much as possible about how they are going to use that space. Do we need bright lights because the client is going to be putting their makeup on in that room? Are they going to be entertaining after dinner in that space? Are they only going to be watching T.V. in that area? Or working late at a computer in that office? Cooking on the kitchen island below the pendants? These are the types of questions I will be asking customers and then accumulating the answers in my brain whilst I process it all and work through the best lighting options.

How has technology impacted the work that you do not just in terms of low energy bulbs and eco-friendly lighting, but there are all sorts of possibilities out there now, right?

That’s very true although I’m more focused on the aesthetic than the technical aspect, but one of the huge changes we are seeing is a shift away from rows and rows of downlighters, not only for reasons of energy efficiency but health too. The recent pandemic is encouraging people to reassess their living and work arrangements and look at the ways in which their home environment is impacting their health. Some clients are actually moving away from the really bright ceiling lights and moving towards the softer floor or wall lighting and incorporating a lot more natural materials like marble and alabaster into their schemes.

What made you start the business in Tunbridge Wells?

Well, first and foremost, I absolutely love lighting. My husband and I have renovated a number of properties together in Tunbridge Wells and this has been our hometown for a decade now. I saw a huge gap in the market, especially on the high street. It is a spot thriving with bathroom shops, kitchen shops and great estate agents like Hamptons, encouraging families to move from London. However, they are all having to send them back into London to buy their lighting after they spend a significant amount of money on their bathrooms, kitchens and homes, in our town. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to set something up in Tunbridge Wells on the high street which would just tie in with every other business in the area and stop customers from having to go back into London to shop for beautiful lighting and get them feeling really inspired by something completely different.

lumière, 31 High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1XL, UK T: 01892 320198 | W: www.lumieredujour.co.uk