Handcrafted Lighting Brings Fresh Feel to Florida Beach Home
The old Florida bungalow had been in the family for generations. Located in Bradenton Beach on the Gulf Coast, the home suffered from decades of hurricanes and salt air exposure. Architect Jody Beck, of Traction Architecture, was called in to help save the home but the damage was too extensive.
“Our client hired us to design a new house that reflected the character of the original bungalow while being stronger and more storm resilient,” Jody says. “The house needed to withstand strong weather so exterior materials were chosen for their strength and durability.”
As the team created the lighting plan for the new 1,200-square-foot home, consistency among the fixtures was important so that the lights referenced one another.
“We wanted the fixtures to be different but to feel like they were in the same family,” Jody explains. “The ability to customize sizes and finishes for each space and use was important. I found Barn Light Electric during an online search and knew it was a good sign that the company is locally based in Florida which is perfect for a new “old Florida” beach bungalow!”
For the exterior of the home, Jody chose the Union Gooseneck Light for its classic shape and modern, yet timeless feel. She customized the two handspun wall lights with 12″ shades, a Galvanized finish, and the G1 straight gooseneck arm.
“We liked the industrial feel of the Galvanized finish because it complements the more modern details of the home’s exterior like the metal roof,” Jody notes. “The 12″ shade was the perfect size to provide a spot of light above the door while not overwhelming the small entryway.”
For the interior, the team chose a palette of pale greens and bright orange hues that were inspired by Gulf of Mexico sunsets. Warehouse-style fixtures were chosen to complement the tall ceiling and the large exposed wooden trusses in the space. Two Original™ Warehouse Pendants customized with 12″ shades and an Orange finish are a focal point in the combined living/kitchen space.
“We think the pendant’s shape has a timeless quality that goes well with the updated yet ‘old’ Florida feel we were trying to achieve,” Jody notes. “We chose a white cord to blend in with the white wall, ceiling, and trusses. The orange pendants really feel like they are floating in space.”
With such a tall ceiling, additional task lighting was needed over the working zones of the kitchen. Jody selected the Mini Artesia Wall Sconce for over the sink and refrigerator. These are customized with a Galvanized finish, G33 straight arm, and 1910 Era 60-watt Edison light bulbs.
“We wanted a fixture that would complement the orange pendants but be neutral enough to allow the pendant to still be the focal point in the kitchen,” she explains. “The mini wall sconces work great because they are similar in shape to the pendants but have their own pared down, utilitarian feel.”
Another Mini Artesia Wall Sconce serves as a vanity light in the home’s one bathroom.
“Using the same sconce helps establish consistency from space to space,” Jody notes. “The fixture is a nice neutral counterpoint to the playfulness of the bathroom walls which are clad in pink-and-green siding that was salvaged from the original home.”
Upstairs in the sleeping loft, Jody was faced with a low ceiling so she searched for wall-mounted lighting solutions. The loft is accessed by a ship’s ladder, and the space features small porthole-like windows with views to the Gulf. She selected our small Amidships Bulkhead Lights to give a subtle nod to the ship-like feel without being too over the top.
These are customized with a Galvanized finish to match the light fixtures downstairs and the galvanized boat cleats in the built-in cabinetry.
“The galvanized fixtures create a design continuity from interior to exterior, and main level to loft. They speak to the ideas of form and function that we were trying to address in the design,” Jody says. “The bright orange pendants are a fun and vibrant focal point in the kitchen. The house is so small that every detail plays a big role in the overall feeling of the spaces.”
Photos courtesy of Traction Architecture
