Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. It can shape the mood of a space, enhance its architecture, highlight design elements, and even influence how people feel and function within a room. At CBB Design, lighting isn’t treated as an afterthought—it’s integrated into every project from the very beginning.
Colleen Bennett, founder and principal designer of CBB Design, often describes lighting as the quiet force behind every beautifully executed space. With nearly two decades of experience creating luxury interiors, Colleen and her team understand that great lighting doesn’t just illuminate—it elevates.
Setting the Tone with Layers of Light
A well-designed space typically includes three types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Each serves a distinct purpose, and together they create a layered, intentional environment.
Ambient lighting—the general illumination of a room—sets the overall mood. It’s often achieved with overhead fixtures or recessed lighting, but it needs to be balanced to avoid harsh shadows or dull corners.
Task lighting supports specific activities. Think pendant lights over a kitchen island or a reading lamp beside a favorite chair. It brings function to beauty and makes everyday living more comfortable.
Accent lighting is the final touch. It draws attention to architectural features, artwork, or custom design details. In Colleen’s projects, accent lighting is often used to add a subtle sense of drama or to create visual balance in a room.
Bringing Design Details to Life
Light has the unique ability to highlight textures and materials that might otherwise go unnoticed. A marble countertop glows under under-cabinet lighting. The grain of a hardwood floor becomes more pronounced in the right natural light. A statement chandelier can act as both a light source and a sculptural element.
CBB Design carefully considers the role lighting plays in showcasing these design features. Whether it’s a sleek modern kitchen or a serene bedroom retreat, the team ensures that lighting enhances rather than overwhelms.
Natural Light as a Design Asset
One of the most valuable forms of lighting is also the most unpredictable—sunlight. Where and how natural light enters a room affects everything from paint color choices to furniture placement.
Colleen’s team takes time to study the natural light patterns of a space before making any design decisions. They often use this information to guide the flow of a room, selecting materials and finishes that respond beautifully to both morning and afternoon light.
In spaces with limited natural light, CBB Design employs creative solutions—mirrors, reflective surfaces, lighter wall colors, and smart artificial lighting—to achieve a similar feeling of openness and warmth.
Personalizing Light to Match Lifestyle
Lighting isn’t one-size-fits-all. A family with young children might prioritize dimmable lighting for early evenings. A frequent entertainer may want ambient lighting that flatters guests and creates a sense of occasion.
CBB Design takes the time to understand how clients live, work, and unwind so that lighting choices reflect their lifestyle. That might mean installing automated lighting systems for convenience or incorporating fixtures that double as conversation pieces.
Colleen Bennett is particularly skilled at blending function with aesthetics—ensuring that lighting enhances daily routines while still aligning with the overall design vision.
Design That Feels as Good as It Looks
Good lighting doesn’t just improve the appearance of a room; it changes how people feel within it. Harsh overhead lighting can make a space feel sterile. Poorly placed task lighting can create frustration. On the other hand, thoughtful lighting design can promote calm, support focus, and create an inviting atmosphere that draws people in.
At CBB Design, lighting is always considered from the perspective of experience. How will someone feel walking into this room at night? Will the lighting support a quiet morning, an energetic dinner party, or a productive afternoon? These are the questions that shape every decision.
See how lighting can transform your space. Visit www.cbbdesignfirm.com to explore CBB Design’s portfolio and discover how their team combines beauty, function, and light in every project.
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Last modified: August 7, 2025
