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The Lighting Doctor

the Lighting Doctor in Ireland
On a recent trip to Ireland, Randall Whitehead explores the lighting.

Your Irish Lights Are Smiling

I have recently returned from a trip to Ireland. It was my first time, and it was wonderful to travel the countryside and see the cities and towns. Of course, checking out the lighting was my MO. It…

Eat, Pray, Light: The Lighting Doctor Finds Comfort, Food and Light

As a lighting designer I am always looking at how a space is lit. I can’t help myself. It’s just a part of my professional genetic makeup. It’s not just me, a friend who is a kitchen designer says…
mid century modern entry
Mid-century modern design has held up through time.

The Lighting Doctor: The Future Is in the Past

Decorative lighting fixture design falls out of fashion, just like clothing. What fascinates me is how a mid-century modern lighting designs have held on for so long. What makes them special? What…
Desert Landscape Lighting, The Lighting Doctor
When lighting desert flora, it's important to remember that the opacity of the greenery causes light to bounce off.

A Prickly Situation: Lighting Desert Flora

I do like to touch on landscaping lighting design now and again. It’s important because it is what creates a wonderful first impression of a home. When done well it can also help expand the sense of…
Ruth Asawa, The Lighting Doctor
Ruth Asawa was a wire sculpture artist. Her work can be seen in the Guggenheim and Whitney museums in NY.

Ruth Asawa and Her Lightly Wired Art

Light and shadow work hand-in-hand. Together they add texture and dimension to a space, or in this case a particular type of art. I want to talk about an amazing artist, Ruth Asawa, who is a master…
Biltmore Hotel, Arizona, Randall Whitehead
The Biltmore Hotel in Arizona.

The Lighting Doctor Tours the Arizona Biltmore Hotel

I recently got the chance to see the legendary Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, AZ. This magnificent resort opened its doors on February 23, 1929. They had an opening gala that lasted three days in a row…
RH, Restoration Hardware, Chandelier, The Lighting Doctor
Randall Whitehead says size matters when it comes to dramatic entry chandeliers.

Destination Retail Spaces and the Impact of Lighting

Restoration Hardware, now rebranded as RH, has opened the ultimate retail space in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. Starting in 2016, they have beautifully restored the Bethlehem Steel…

Shedding Light on Ramses

I recently went to see the new Ramses exhibit which is traveling around the country. It certainly was interesting to learn about him. He lived into his 90s and fathered more than 100 children. Unlike…
Print Pendant, RBW Lighting
The Print Pendant from Rich Brilliant Willing Lighting has an opalescent finish.

LED Lights the Way at Light! Design Expo

There is a lighting exposition that comes regularly San Francisco. It’s geared toward people that are not able to get to New York or Las Vegas for LightFair, which is the lighting industry’s most…
The Lighting Doctor, Accent Lighting
Dramatic accent lighting spotlights these plants. Photo: Misha Bruk.

The Lighting Doctor on Accent Lighting: Don't Be Dramatic

As I have explained before, lighting falls into four functions: task, ambient, accent and decorative. None of these lighting types function very well by themselves. They have to work in conjunction…
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