{"id":348498,"date":"2026-10-29T11:14:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=348498"},"modified":"2026-10-29T11:14:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:14:41","slug":"the-perfect-fall-lighting-for-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/the-perfect-fall-lighting-for-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect Fall Lighting for Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From statement chandeliers to flickering flames, the right lighting brings joy and warmth to seasonal living, writes Elizabeth Metcalfe<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"large<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An Orsman-designed lighting scheme at a home in Palm Beach, Florida, with interiors by Jessica Schuster Design. \u00a9 \u201cLight: Illuminated Interiors and Architecture\u201d\u202fby Nathan Orsman, Rizzoli, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the nights draw in, there are few things more inviting than the warm glow of a beautifully lit home. Lighting takes on renewed importance at this time of year, shaping not only how we see rooms, but also how we experience them. \u201cAt its best, lighting should bring beauty, emotion, and above all, joy to a home,\u201d says Nathan Orsman, an architectural and landscape lighting designer, whose new book \u201cLight: Illuminated Interiors and Architecture\u201d<\/a> (Rizzoli) brings together work from the past 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Orsman and his eponymous design studio, good lighting should perform the role of a \u201cgreat backup dancer.\u201d The Australian-born designer has collaborated with interior designers including Steven Gambrel, Jean-Louis Deniot, and Reinaldo Leandro on projects across the world, lighting homes for owners from Oprah Winfrey to Marc Jacobs. \u201cWe don\u2019t aspire to be the star, but are essential to making the star truly shine,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sitting<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Catskills, New York<\/a> | Four Seasons Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orsman distinguishes between functional lighting and the more elusive \u201cfeeling of light,\u201d as he describes it. In kitchens and workspaces, for example, practical illumination is essential, but elsewhere the emphasis should be on crafting atmosphere. \u201cWhen you come home after a long day, you want your home to feel like a place of respite,\u201d says Orsman. \u201cThe lighting should soften, creating a sense of warmth, comfort, and intimacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layering<\/a> is key. Rather than relying on a single overhead source, a combination of table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights allows a room to take on different moods. \u201cIn a communal space like a dining room, it\u2019s about where the light falls, how it illuminates the table rather than shining in our eyes, and how artificial light can work alongside candlelight,\u201d Orsman says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"dining<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Los Feliz, California<\/a> | Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Los Feliz Brokerage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the dining room of a boldly decorated Spanish-style home<\/a> in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz, where a hand-painted mural provides the backdrop to a gold-toned chandelier, wall light and floor lamp, as well as a row of dinner candles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighting can also be a decorative statement in its own right. In a glass-fronted contemporary lake house<\/a> in the Cotswolds, England, this takes the form of a trio of minimalist pendants, which radiate a warm glow, complemented by illuminated niches powered by an integrated Lutron lighting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sitting<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cotswolds, England<\/a> | United Kingdom Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as eye-catching is the French Empire-style glass and gilt-bronze basket chandelier that anchors the sitting room of a sprawling early 20th-century country house<\/a> in neighboring Wiltshire. Softly filtering the light, it illustrates Orsman\u2019s philosophy: \u201cUltimately, we want to experience the light, not the apparatus producing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighting needn\u2019t be entirely inward-looking, especially in fall and winter. \u201cAs darkness arrives earlier, the relationship between interior and exterior lighting becomes increasingly important,\u201d suggests Orsman. Illuminating a tree, garden, architectural feature or even adding a fire pit can all extend the visual experience of a home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ornate<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wiltshire, England<\/a> | United Kingdom Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is something a refined farmhouse<\/a> in the Catskills, New York, does well, combining floor lamps and candlelight indoors, with a terrace fire pit drawing the eye outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equally important is the lighting in those often overlooked, connecting spaces such as staircases, corridors and entrance halls. Think softly illuminated passageways, backlit curtains, or even a wine room, where lighting can be used in surprising ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love the idea of using light almost as a portal,\u201d says Orsman, \u201cconnecting spaces while giving each one its own identity.\u201d The technical work behind good lighting shouldn\u2019t be obvious. \u201cWhat we should experience is the beauty of a space and the joy of being in it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From candles to candelabra, learn more about the art of traditional home lighting<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Footer<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From statement chandeliers to flickering flames, the right lighting brings joy and warmth to seasonal living, writes Elizabeth Metcalfe An Orsman-designed lighting scheme at a home in Palm Beach, Florida, with interiors by Jessica Schuster Design. \u00a9 \u201cLight: Illuminated Interiors and Architecture\u201d\u202fby Nathan Orsman, Rizzoli, 2026 As the nights draw in, there are few things […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770377,"featured_media":348509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1399,1565,1398],"tags":[1423,1440,1472,1505],"class_list":["post-348498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-and-design","category-home-style-ideas","category-featured","tag-california","tag-florida","tag-new-york","tag-united-kingdom"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1sEW","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":346996,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/new-and-notable-properties-june-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":348498,"position":0},"title":"New and Notable Properties: June 2026","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"June 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Hungary | Hungary Sotheby's International Realty This month\u2019s properties are united by a strong sense of setting and architectural presence, from waterfront homes to historic sprawling estates. Each home is defined by generous scale, thoughtful design, and a focus on privacy, with interiors and outdoor spaces working in close connection.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"interior of New Zealand sitting room with sunset views of the coast","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NZ4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NZ4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NZ4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NZ4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NZ4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NZ4.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346102,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-waterfront-haven-in-palm-beach\/","url_meta":{"origin":348498,"position":1},"title":"Inside a Waterfront Haven in Palm Beach","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"February 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The elegant ease for which Palm Beach is renowned is epitomized at this timeless 8,387-square-foot residence on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. Epitomizing a life of elegant ease, relaxation and recreation amid colorful flora, and time spent in or beside the water, Palm Beach is widely known for its\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Estate in Palm Beach, Florida","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/back.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/back.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/back.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/back.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/back.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/back.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346768,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/new-and-notable-properties-may-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":348498,"position":2},"title":"New and Notable Properties: May, 2026","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"May 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Great Falls, Virginia | TTR Sotheby's International Realty This month\u2019s properties share a strong connection to their surroundings, from city skylines and coastlines to vineyards and private acreage. Thoughtful architecture, craftsmanship, and a sense of privacy define each home, with interiors and outdoor spaces designed to work seamlessly together. Despite\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Vineyard estate in Napa Valley, California","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wine-Country.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wine-Country.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wine-Country.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wine-Country.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wine-Country.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wine-Country.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346276,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/color-chart-the-joys-of-a-classic-yellow-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":348498,"position":3},"title":"Color Chart: The Joys of a Classic Yellow Home","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"March 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Used with care, yellow is uplifting, writes Jill Krasny London, England | United Kingdom Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Some homes quickly fade from the mind while others are unforgettable. Often the design scheme is a factor. Pink can be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Italian villa with yellow walls","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yellow_Tuscany.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yellow_Tuscany.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yellow_Tuscany.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yellow_Tuscany.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yellow_Tuscany.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yellow_Tuscany.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":347046,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/color-chart-the-joys-of-turquoise-in-the-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":348498,"position":4},"title":"Color Chart: The Joys of Turquoise in the Home","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"June 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Turquoise is surprisingly versatile, writes Jill Krasny Islamorada, Florida | Ocean Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Some homes have a way of staying with you while others quickly fade from the mind. Almost always, the design scheme is the influencing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"turquoise seating arrangement on Turks and Caicos beachfront","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Aqua_TurksCaicos1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Aqua_TurksCaicos1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Aqua_TurksCaicos1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Aqua_TurksCaicos1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Aqua_TurksCaicos1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Aqua_TurksCaicos1.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":342747,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-an-elegant-oceanfront-compound\/","url_meta":{"origin":348498,"position":5},"title":"Inside an Elegant Oceanfront Compound","author":"SIR Admin","date":"October 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A cinematic formality and a dedication to sunlight and water views hold sway at this 16,748-square-foot residence, which encourages luxurious living indoors and out on lush land that stretches from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal. The mere mention of a home on the beach or an island often conjures images\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Fall-Lighting_Germantown2.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/232770377"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348498"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":348510,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348498\/revisions\/348510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}