{"id":2815,"date":"2026-02-16T21:42:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T21:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/?p=2815"},"modified":"2026-02-16T21:42:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T21:42:52","slug":"designer-debrief-nina-lichtenstein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/?p=2815","title":{"rendered":"Designer Debrief: Nina Lichtenstein"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Style Editor Julie A. Palm talks to the New York-based interior designer about how lighting plays in her nature-inspired generational designs, her favorite vendors, top lighting trends and what makes an outstanding lighting showroom.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Julie A. Palm<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLighting should feel integrated, not applied,\u201d says Nina Lichtenstein, founder and principal home designer at Custom Home Design by Nina Lichtenstein<\/a>, a firm based in Thornwood, New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLighting is never an afterthought in my process. In many cases, it is integrated into the earliest concept sketches because placement, scale and visual rhythm affect everything from millwork design to ceiling details,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Nina Lichtenstein founded her design firm, Custom Home Design by Nina Lichtenstein, in 2021, after a \u201cnature-inspired transformation\u201d of her own home.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As part of a new regular check-in with interior designers around the country, I talked to Lichtenstein about how she approaches lighting in her projects, her favorite lighting vendors and what makes an outstanding lighting showroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lichtenstein, who is certified by Science in Design, specializes in complex construction, including renovations and new builds, and is focused on human-centered, nature-inspired design and generational homes created with long-term needs in mind. \u201cI advance health-centered design through the built environment, rooted in neuroscience and biophilia,\u201d she explains. \u201cSo, I\u2019m shaping spaces that actively support the nervous system, cognition and emotional well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where she shops<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given how Lichtenstein approaches design, it\u2019s not surprising that she gravitates toward \u201clighting vendors who understand that fixtures are not just functional objects, but emotional instruments within a space.\u201d She favors brands that incorporate nature motifs, organic forms and mixed textures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt High Point Market, one of my favorite vendors is Beacon Custom Lighting<\/a>,\u201d she says, noting that President Frank Leyon \u201cbrings a deeply personal relationship to nature into his work. He has embedded ferns from his own backyard into glass pendants, created fixtures that resemble raindrops in motion and consistently prioritizes sustainable design.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other favorites: Crystorama<\/a> and Phillips Collection<\/a>, which Lichtenstein appreciates for their affiliation with Science in Design and their commitment to well-being through good design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Lichtenstein sees a trend toward nature-inspired designs in lighting, including snowflake-like crystalline structures and stars.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeyond that, I appreciate brands such as Currey & Company<\/a>, Visual Comfort<\/a>, Lumens<\/a> and Hudson Valley Lighting Group<\/a> for their material richness and thoughtful proportions. Cedar & Moss<\/a>, Lulu and Georgia<\/a>, and Pottery Barn<\/a> often offer beautifully textured pieces that work well within a layered, nature-inspired interior. I also regularly explore Etsy<\/a> for artisan lighting and one-of-a-kind finds that add authenticity and individuality to a space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That long list of favored vendors is in keeping with Lichtenstein\u2019s goal to not rely on a single lighting source for project expediency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInstead, I select fixtures that speak specifically to each space\u2019s material palette, scale and purpose,\u201d she says. \u201cOnce the right piece is identified, there is a clear resonance, and it feels inevitable rather than decorative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When working with lighting showrooms, Lichtenstein chooses those that \u201cunderstand that designers are simultaneously balancing aesthetics, lighting levels, fixture types, technical requirements and budget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best showrooms, she says, combine product expertise with a spirit of partnership by providing \u201caccurate specifications, responsive communication and deep product knowledge, especially around wattage, beam spread, color temperature, dimming compatibility and installation requirements.\u201d They also help anticipate potential problems and understand the importance of timelines and deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Lichtenstein likes to incorporate lighting fixtures early in the design process, she notes that in remodels, \u201cI sometimes allow construction to unfold before finalizing certain selections, especially when unforeseen conditions may impact ceiling height or junction box locations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery object in my initial sketches has a domino effect on the next,\u201d she continues. \u201cChange a soffit height or shift a beam, and the lighting must recalibrate accordingly. In some cases, I have specified and purchased fixtures one to two years in advance of project completion when the architectural framework is clear, with those pieces ultimately installed exactly as envisioned. That level of foresight is intentional.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One exception: Lichtenstein often adds table and floor lamps later in the process, once the furniture plan is finalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Beauty matters in lighting fixtures, but so does practicality, she says. Kitchens and bathrooms demand layered lighting for various tasks that happen in those rooms.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trend watching<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps because she\u2019s already on the lookout for it, Lichtenstein sees a trend toward nature-inspired forms in lighting, particularly \u201cfixtures that reference leaves, vines, raindrops, snowflake-like crystalline structures, stars, flowers and candle-like silhouettes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s important, she says, is that \u201cthese elements are not merely decorative; they subtly mirror patterns and archetypes our brains recognize from the natural world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also sees more mixed materials, \u201cincluding twine paired with metal, leather accents, hand-blown glass, raw stone and woven fibers.\u201d The combinations add not just contrast, variation and personality, they also \u201creinforce sensory engagement,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen layered intentionally, these elements can blur the boundary between indoors and out, reinforcing our innate connection to the natural world and fostering a sense of openness, continuity and physiological ease within the home,\u201d she says. \u201cTrends are most meaningful when they align with how humans biologically respond to their environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note to readers: I also want to do regular check-ins with lighting showrooms around the country about trends they are seeing in their markets. If you\u2019d like to be featured, I\u2019d love to hear from you. Email me at Julie@homenewsnow.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Style Watch: Global Appeal<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Style Editor Julie A. Palm talks to the New York-based interior designer about how lighting plays in her nature-inspired generational designs, her favorite vendors, top lighting trends and what makes an outstanding lighting showroom. By Julie A. Palm \u201cLighting should feel integrated, not applied,\u201d says Nina Lichtenstein, founder and principal home designer at Custom Home…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":32,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,391],"tags":[129,867,866,803],"class_list":["post-2815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-featured","tag-interior-designer","tag-nature-inspired","tag-nina-lichtenstein","tag-science-in-design"],"yoast_head":"\nDesigner Debrief: Nina Lichtenstein - Lighting News Now<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"New York-based interior designer Nina Lichtenstein discusses how lighting plays in her nature-inspired generational designs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/?p=2815\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Designer Debrief: Nina Lichtenstein - Lighting News Now\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"New York-based interior designer Nina Lichtenstein discusses how lighting plays in her nature-inspired generational designs.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/?p=2815\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lighting News Now\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-16T21:42:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-16T21:42:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Julie_Nina_banner_1580-1024x583.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"583\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda Longo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Julie A. 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