The Lighting Doctor

Randall Whitehead, public restroom lighting — Public restrooms don't have to have bad lighting. Here are some examples of good lighting.

Lighting a Public Restroom

I have had this thing about the lighting quality of public restrooms in the United States ever since visiting Amsterdam. There, the facilities are all-gender. The stalls have doors that go all the…

Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor, public restroom lighting

The Lighting Doctor, Museum Lighting — These walls are made of solid stone, between 2’ and 5’ thick. Notice how the walls become part of the display. Photo by Randall whitehead

Modernized Lighting Enhances Ancient Architecture

This is the Castle del Buonconsiglio in Trento, Italy. It is massive. I noticed that even the smallest towns throughout Italy have castles. Something incredibly huge and fortified, pushing up against…

Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor, Museum Lighting, LED Lighting

Randall Whitehead, LED Lighting, New York City — In this art installation, the lighting, while subtle, adds dimension. All images from Randall Whitehead.

How LED Changes the Possibilities in Commercial Lighting

While wandering around the streets of New York City, I took note of the lighting. I know, it’s a big shock. At night, when the businesses are closed, is a great time to take pictures. Here is a…

Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor, LED Lighting

The Lighting Doctor, Little Island, Night Lights — Little Island at night is even more magical with landscape lighting.

NYC Little Island Is Even More Magical at Night

There is something new along the water’s edge of the Hudson River. It is a place called Little Island. No, is not really an island and is not particularly little…but it is something wonderful and…

Little Island, The Lighting Doctor, Randall Whitehead, New York City

The Lighting Doctor, Randall Whitehead, Artistic Lighting — The Citizen M hotel in New York is a good example of how lighting creates the ambience of a space.

Lighting's Role in the Perception of a Space

After more than two years I finally got to return to New York City. Everyone was smiling and acknowledging each other on the street. That may be due to the fact that people were finally able to…

The Lighting Doctor, Randall Whitehead, Citizen M Hotel, lighting

LED Lighting, Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor — LED lighting as decorative elements provide the right light and energy-efficiency.

The Decorative Appeal of Energy-Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting has a bad rap. The general public thinks that all LEDs are alike. There are huge differences in the quality of the high efficacy lamps on the market. People just need to be…

Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor, LED Lighting, Energy Efficient Lighting, decorative lighting

Using Layered Lighting to Transform Spaces

As you are well aware of by now, the techniques of lighting have greatly evolved beyond simple table lamps and chandeliers. Still many homeowners have not updated their thinking much beyond this…

Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor, Layering Light, ambient lighting, task lighting

Lighting Doctor, Randall Whitehead, Lighting Traditional Spaces — Progressive lighting can warm up a space that is otherwise more traditional.

Does Progressive Lighting Work in More Traditional Spaces?

The ultra-trendy design magazines offer up very modern architecture and stark, eye-catching interiors. But futuristic design is not for everyone, especially for people considering a remodel of their…

The Lighting Doctor, Randall Whitehead, Lighting Traditional Homes, Traditional Modern Design, Satterberg Desonier Dumo

Randall Whitehead, ambient lighting, the lighting doctor — Ambient lighting sets the tone in this San Francisco space. Photo: Randall Whitehead; Interior Design: John G. Martin, Turner Martin Design

Ambient Lighting Softens a Space and Fills Up the Senses

In the November of 2019, I wrote about a condominium project in San Francisco. It was called ‘Accent the Positive’. I talked about using accent lighting, one of the four functions of light, as a way…

Randall Whitehead, The Lighting Doctor, ambient lighting, Turner Martin Design

Randall Whitehead, layered lighting, lighting doctor, box lights — Luminous box-shaped pendants descend from the ceiling, creating a festive atmosphere. Photo by Randall Whitehead

Layers of Light Add Ambience to a Restaurant Atmosphere

As things are beginning to open up a little bit, we are venturing back to inside eating at 25 percent capacity. I was quite taken by this dim sum restaurant, called Palette Tea House, which we…

Randall Whitehead, layered lighting, The Lighting Doctor, pendant light fixture, bathroom lighting

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