Page 17 - Brandywine Valley Home 2024

LET THERE BE LIGHT
Good lighting sets the mood for romance, helps us read without straining our eyes and keeps us from stubbing our toes. “I always say lighting is the single most important element in making your house feel like a home,” says Inci Porter of Porter Design Group in Chadds Ford.
When incorporating LED lighting, Porter opts for 2700K bulbs
that offer a warmer, cozier glow than the 5000K variety. But
a thoughtful home-lighting scenario is about more than wattage.
For a home in Chadds Ford, Porter eliminated the recessed ceiling
lights in the family room. She added Venetian plaster—prized
for its translucent quality—to the ceiling to help carry the
diffused illumination from LED fixtures hidden in the cove
molding. “The Venetian plaster not only optimizes lighting in this
space—it adds a contemporary element that the homeowners fell in love with,” she says. “We introduced beautiful, substantial lamps with linen shades on the updated English sideboard, as well.”
Elsewhere in the home, simple wall sconces add a softer element while further minimizing recessed lights. “We’re obsessed with lighting and love working with clients who appreciate its importance,” Porter says.
Porter Design Group
Chadds Ford, (919) 637-1988, porterdesigngrp.com
RETRO REFRESH
A pair of West Chester homeowners loved the history of their original 1920s Art Deco bathroom, but the cracked pink tile was too far gone to revive, and the space felt dark. They envisioned a new bath with classic black-and-white tile—one that offers a luxe hotel vibe without sacrificing the vintage feel.
Sean Lewis, creative director at Philadelphia’s Airy Kitchens, conceived a design that felt at home in an older house by referencing Art Deco details and modern materials. The white tile on the walls has black accents, and geometric
floor tiles deliver an unexpected visual punch.
A cramped stall shower was replaced with a custom glass enclosure to create a bigger, brighter space.
The brass sink fixtures, sconces and mirror frame provide the bling factor homeowners were looking for.
In reimagining a vintage room, Lewis encourages clients to consider the age of the home and create
a space that fits the time period without making it look like a museum. “Don’t be afraid to mix new and old details for a retro look that stays current,” he says.
Airy Kitchens
88 W. Johnson St., Philadelphia, (215) 853-6060, airykitchens.com
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(TOP) COURTESY OF AIRY KITCHENS (BOTTOM) COURTESY OF PORTER DESIGN GROUP