The Politics of Good Lighting
What centuries of restaurants have taught us about the power of the Glow, plus the 4 rules I always come back to. More: A summer recipe that comes in a shot glass + a few good things to read, too.
Have you ever been to a good restaurant and wanted to take the lamp on your table with you when you left? This is a very good sign.
One of the things we meditate on a lot over here is how our favorite restaurants have the power to influence our lives at home. Not just what we eat but the way we eat it…and what happens before/after that meal, too. One of those things we keep coming back to is lighting: That just-right warm glow and perhaps the tell-tale sign of a place we want to tuck into — over and over again — and never leave.
Earlier this week, I was chatting with my friend Will Meyer of architecture and interiors firm Meyer-Davis about how this new wave of good-looking portable lamps has only really become a “thing” in the past five years.
In the wake of COVID, restaurants used rechargeable/cordless lamps outside in an attempt to recreate the connection and coziness of a (pre-pandemic) dining room on a street corner. That trend, which emerged out of necessity, has since flourished, indoors and out. IE: You can’t go to an upscale spot in New York, LA, or London without seeing a very good one on your dining table.
“We saw the benefits in restaurants and hotels of using portable lamps in flexible locations, so we recommend them for the home, too,” Will says. “Low, precise, glowing light can enhance that desired feel.”
“Low, precise, glowing light can enhance that desired feel.”
It's the same instinct that’s drawn people to candlelight or bonfires for centuries, over deals or dinners. And, it's what I keep coming back to whenever I think about lighting a room well. It’s also shaped a few rules about good lighting that I tend to follow:
Keep it warm. Always 2200k or less.
Light the perimeter, not just the ceiling. The biggest mistake people make is relying on harsh downlight and ignoring the edges of a room, where said warmth actually lives and draws us in.
Good design always wins. I prefer vintage lighting of all types: lamps, pendants, and sconces. At home, I also like to find key spots for picture lights. Feel free to focus purely on style: You can just adjust the bulb type and shade to make almost anything work.
Go incandescent, whenever possible. Even though they’re getting tougher to find each year, it’s always worth it.
Not that we’ve cooled on a good tea light (nothing feels more festive than real flickering fire). But for a supper outside or an impromptu pizza-and-champagne night, any of the options below can bring that instantly calm, lingering glow to your dining table, kitchen counter, or corner nook.
They’re also a great reminder that flexibility is the ultimate luxury: Because being able to change the mood and utility of a space based on where a light source lives is pretty empowering.
What we like best, from left: &Tradition Flowerpot VP9 Lamp, Jessica Corr for Tzelan Ongo Battery Lamp, HAY Mousqueton Portable Lamp, Lumens Bellhop Rechargeable LED Lamp
Notion Studio Mono Portable Lamp, NEOZ Victoria Cordless Light (this company is the Ferrari of lamps — you’ll see them at most of the Major Food Group spots), Addison Ross Cherry Lacquer Bobbin LED Lamp, AUDO Copenhagen Carrie Portable Indoor/Outdoor LED Lamp
And a few more delicious things.
Now that we’re knee-deep in summer, we pulled out a classic Jean-Georges recipe from our CITY archive: chilled cantaloupe and tomato — to sip or spoon, both hit the spot on the hottest days. And make a terrific party starter, too.
I did a lot of reading over the weekend, and thought these were worth sharing:
The Infatuation looked into the “same-ification of New York City,” which is something I think about a lot as I’ve watched my neighborhood change over the years. It’s probably why I — and so many other New Yorkers — feel such an attachment to institutions like Raoul’s or The Odeon.
Here’s a great roundup of omakase that isn’t outrageously expensive.
Family Style by Complex cataloged the history of Chino Latino food in the city, highlighting spots old (La Dinastia) and new (Chino Grande).
If you’re heading to the South of France (or even if you’re not), I loved browsing through this design + art travel guide from W.
JDS did a great take on Graciela, the coming-soon Argentine tavern in the West Village. We’re cooking up something fun with the team there…more soon.
“New York is a good place to come and pretend to be someone that you’re not,” is just one of many quotables from Jay McInerney’s interview with Gentleman’s Journal.
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