Randall Whitehead
Randall Whitehead, our resident Lighting Doctor, is a lighting designer, author and contributor to Furniture, Lighting & Decor. He writes monthly blogs for the publication's website, and he also produces a video series on lighting design.
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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…
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…
The Lights are Bright on Broadway
I do go to see a lot of stage productions, both on the West Coast and New York City’s Broadway productions. What has changed is how lighting has become an integral part of the shows. Before, it was…
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…
Lighting Report: LEDs Are Different...and Better
When LEDs were first introduced, it was hard for us to part with our old friends incandescent and halogen lamps, and the luminaires made for them. It seemed like nothing could ever replace the warm…
The Lighting Doctor checks out a San Francisco Landmark
I recently made a visit to downtown San Francisco to take a look at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, located on San Francisco’s waterfront. It was designed by architect John Portman and built in 1973. For me…
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 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…
It's Tiki Time: The Impact of Lighting at the Tonga Room
Earlier this month, friends and I went to the Tonga Room, located in the famous Fairmont Hotel. It is the ultimate tiki lounge that transports you back to the 1940s. It was designed by Mel Melvin who…
Lights Fantastic: Public Art Lighting in San Francisco
As we go into a new phase of Covid variants, people are seeing what they can do outside in a safe way. If you happen to live near San Francisco or might be visiting, then you should consider the…