Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds illuminate their living space with an atmospheric technique that's ahead of trends

It's not easy to forget the impact lighting has on a room, as any designer will likely reiterate. Perhaps no feature has quite as much impact on a space's atmosphere and aesthetic, so how can we ensure our choice is as stylish as it is functional? 

Enter – Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, the couple whose design decisions have influenced our homes for years. This time, they're tackling living room lighting by tapping into an emerging trend with transformative power. 

Ryan Reynolds recently hosted Hugh Jackman (no less) in what appears to be the couple's Tribeca apartment (Blake and Ryan's primary home is located around one hour from the city in Pound Ridge, NY). We've already enjoyed glimpses of their urban abode via Blake's outfit pics, but this is the first time we've seen their innovative hanging lighting display. 

The lighting arrangement exhibits string bulbs on a trellis-style structure that stretches up the wall. The setup is functional but undeniably striking in its appearance – and is likely to impress just as much when the lights are out. 

Michael Sillitoe, a luxury lighting expert from Nulty Bespoke, labels the look as 'curated illumination,' a lighting trend emerging for 2024. So, what does it involve? 

'A recurring theme throughout our client projects is curated illumination. Decorative lighting is moving beyond the realm of simple illumination and becoming a method of artistic expression – a way to animate or embellish a scheme,' Michael discusses. 

'Lighting is being used as a work of art through oversized, sculptural installations that bring a sense of movement to a space or create an optical illusion.'

Michael Sillitoe

Michael’s career has always involved the world of lighting and product design, beginning with a Bachelor of Arts in Product Design from Sheffield Hallam, and then moving on to get his MA in Design Products from the Royal College of Art.

He has produced luminaires and installations globally for the likes of Swarovski, David Gill Galleries and Isometrix. Michael loves to explore the challenges that light produces, especially where dynamic lighting technologies are concerned. All reasons as to why he is set to be a great fit for overseeing commissions and developing our collection of standard composition ranges.

Blake and Ryan's trellis-like structure is one way to tap into the curated illumination design trend, but there are no hard rules. From 'avant-garde designs to cascading geometric clusters', Michael says these installations add a touch of 'glamor, drama, or intrigue to interiors' almost instantly. 

'The key to this trend is creative thinking - lighting pieces don’t just blend in with their surroundings, they add something unexpected and imaginative' he adds.'This can be seen through our Droplet Inspired Chandelier at the Southbank Spa and our Jeu de Luminaire installation, which was created for a private residence.'