This is the third installment in our Lighting Series, exploring how thoughtful lighting can transform your space and well-being.
Lee Krasner, Sun Woman I (1957)
Why Seasonal Lighting Matters
Light isn't static and your space shouldn't be either. As the days stretch longer and sunlight grows more intense, interiors can develop harsh contrasts and uncomfortable glare. What worked perfectly in the soft winter light may now feel jarring or overwhelming.
As Santa Barbara-based lighting expert Jez Blacker of Illum Lighting Design explains,"Most people don't want to shut out daylight. Additional lighting within a room that is well lit by sunshine is there to enhance art, furniture etc., bouncing light to create a more dramatic atmosphere." This philosophy transforms lighting from purely functional to intentionally aesthetic, using light to highlight what matters, even in naturally bright spaces.
Morning Light: Embrace It
Spring and summer mornings arrive with a particular quality of light. Clear, energizing, and full of possibility. This natural awakening deserves to be welcomed rather than competed with:
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Use sheer curtains to diffuse sunlight
-
Pair natural light with warm-white bulbs (2700K) so artificial light feels like an extension of the sun
-
Save cooler tones for later in the day. Early morning light has a natural warmth that's easily disrupted by the wrong bulb
“When we typically design a lighting system in a residence, we always want to create a multi-mood atmosphere,” says Jez Blacker.
This approach reinforces what we’ve been exploring throughout our lighting series: your home’s illumination should be as dynamic as the day itself, shifting to support different activities and energy levels as the hours pass.
Afternoon Light: Balance the Contrast
When the sun is high, it creates sharp shadows and high-contrast spaces that can feel visually exhausting. This is where Tulip's diffused glow steps in:
-
Dial back to lower-lumen bulbs during these naturally bright hours
-
In rooms that stay dim even in summer (ex. apartment interiors), smart bulbs with adjustable warmth can help you match the tone of the day
-
Position diffused light sources to balance shadows rather than create new ones
Evening Light: Wind Down with Warmth
Those lingering summer evenings are magical outdoors, but can disrupt our internal rhythms when we bring that same brightness inside. Your body needs signals to transition:
-
As the sun begins its slow descent, switch to warm, amber-toned lighting that mimics sunset
-
Eliminate harsh overhead glare with diffusion.
-
Create intimate pools of light rather than evenly lit spaces, allowing your eyes and mind to begin their natural unwinding
A Note from Lori
“I started Tulip because I kept walking into beautifully designed spaces that somehow felt wrong. The furniture was right. The colors were right. But standing in those rooms felt tense rather than tranquil.
What I discovered was that light isn't just about seeing. It's about feeling. The quality of light shapes our experience of space on a level so fundamental we often don't have words for it. We just know when it feels off.
Especially during these bright months, when sunlight pours in with such intensity, the relationship between natural and artificial light becomes even more crucial. Getting it right isn't about perfection, it's about creating a space that feels like an extension of yourself. A place where both your eyes and your nervous system can rest easy.”
"I got one Tulip just to try, and now I've covered every ceiling light in my home. I look forward to flipping on the switch."
– Michelle D., Tulip Customer
Thank you for following along with our seasonal lighting series. Stay tuned…more light-filled ideas to come.
Lighting Series Vol.3: Seasonal Lighting Tips
This is the third installment in our Lighting Series, exploring how thoughtful lighting can transform your space and well-being.
Lee Krasner, Sun Woman I (1957)
Why Seasonal Lighting Matters
Light isn't static and your space shouldn't be either. As the days stretch longer and sunlight grows more intense, interiors can develop harsh contrasts and uncomfortable glare. What worked perfectly in the soft winter light may now feel jarring or overwhelming.
As Santa Barbara-based lighting expert Jez Blacker of Illum Lighting Design explains,"Most people don't want to shut out daylight. Additional lighting within a room that is well lit by sunshine is there to enhance art, furniture etc., bouncing light to create a more dramatic atmosphere." This philosophy transforms lighting from purely functional to intentionally aesthetic, using light to highlight what matters, even in naturally bright spaces.
Morning Light: Embrace It
Spring and summer mornings arrive with a particular quality of light. Clear, energizing, and full of possibility. This natural awakening deserves to be welcomed rather than competed with:
Use sheer curtains to diffuse sunlight
Pair natural light with warm-white bulbs (2700K) so artificial light feels like an extension of the sun
Save cooler tones for later in the day. Early morning light has a natural warmth that's easily disrupted by the wrong bulb
This approach reinforces what we’ve been exploring throughout our lighting series: your home’s illumination should be as dynamic as the day itself, shifting to support different activities and energy levels as the hours pass.
Afternoon Light: Balance the Contrast
When the sun is high, it creates sharp shadows and high-contrast spaces that can feel visually exhausting. This is where Tulip's diffused glow steps in:
Dial back to lower-lumen bulbs during these naturally bright hours
In rooms that stay dim even in summer (ex. apartment interiors), smart bulbs with adjustable warmth can help you match the tone of the day
Position diffused light sources to balance shadows rather than create new ones
Evening Light: Wind Down with Warmth
Those lingering summer evenings are magical outdoors, but can disrupt our internal rhythms when we bring that same brightness inside. Your body needs signals to transition:
As the sun begins its slow descent, switch to warm, amber-toned lighting that mimics sunset
Eliminate harsh overhead glare with diffusion.
Create intimate pools of light rather than evenly lit spaces, allowing your eyes and mind to begin their natural unwinding
A Note from Lori
“I started Tulip because I kept walking into beautifully designed spaces that somehow felt wrong. The furniture was right. The colors were right. But standing in those rooms felt tense rather than tranquil.
What I discovered was that light isn't just about seeing. It's about feeling. The quality of light shapes our experience of space on a level so fundamental we often don't have words for it. We just know when it feels off.
Especially during these bright months, when sunlight pours in with such intensity, the relationship between natural and artificial light becomes even more crucial. Getting it right isn't about perfection, it's about creating a space that feels like an extension of yourself. A place where both your eyes and your nervous system can rest easy.”
Thank you for following along with our seasonal lighting series. Stay tuned…more light-filled ideas to come.