{"id":3168,"date":"2026-04-20T01:01:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T01:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/?p=3168"},"modified":"2026-04-20T01:01:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T01:01:27","slug":"designer-debrief-elana-tenenbaum-cline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightingnewsnow.com\/?p=3168","title":{"rendered":"Designer Debrief: Elana Tenenbaum Cline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The founder of design firm Carta Creatives tells Style Editor Julie A. Palm why her local lighting showroom excels, shares some of her favorite small lighting vendors and explains why she adds sconces everywhere she can.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

In her role as founder and creative director of design firm Carta Creatives<\/a>, Elana Tenenbaum Cline knows it\u2019s part of her job to show clients the value of good lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe average person underestimates the cost of lights and they don\u2019t appreciate what a good light can do for a room until they experience it,\u201d says Cline, who leads Carta Creatives, a four-person multidisciplinary architecture and design firm based in Southport, Connecticut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy lighting philosophy is that there should always be hardwired lighting somewhere in the room and then multiple types of lighting \u2013 whether that\u2019s ceiling, wall, or table \u2013 so that clients have the ability to transition and create mood lighting in the evening,\u201d she says. Dimmers are crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cline believes all rooms should have hardwired fixtures as a starting point for lighting.<\/em> Credit: Read McKendree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a client who has become a good friend and she had a Christmas party \u2014 it was a dinner party,\u201d Cline continues. \u201cEvery single overhead light was on, and I ran around the house. I dimmed them and then turned on all the accent lighting and the whole mood changed. \u2026 People underestimate the ability of dimmers and multiple light sources to completely change room. So, giving clients these options is really critical for us in all the rooms we design.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cline describes herself as a classically trained architect and has built a firm of people who are formally trained in their fields, giving Carta Creatives a competitive advantage in its market. The firm specializes in major residential renovations, but about 20% of its business is updating furniture and d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think people like having the ability to work with a company that not only can help you decided your curtains and throw pillows, but can also do a full construction documents drawing set,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I think we\u2019re pretty fun, which doesn\u2019t hurt, because renovations can be stressful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once her firm has nailed down floorplans, \u201cthe very quick next step is layering in the lights,\u201d Cline says, explaining that she encourages clients to prioritize their lighting budget \u201cbecause it is such an important component.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A go-to showroom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With two young children, Cline\u2019s time for travel is limited, so she prefers sourcing close to home, which has led to a good relationship with Chloe Winston Lighting Design<\/a>, a lighting showroom in nearby South Norwalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe love them,\u201d Cline says. \u201cThey’re wonderful people \u2014 super supportive. They have a lot of nice variety over in Norwalk, so we really enjoy working with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026 Like with any good partner, they’re available and willing to work with us,\u201d she continues. \u201cWe are now leaning on our trade partners more. If we have a project, we\u2019ll say, \u2018I’m looking for this type of fixture. This is my price point. This is the lead time. Go,\u2019 and we\u2019ll get a response. They enjoy what they do. They\u2019ll contact us and say, \u2018Hey, there’s this cool new thing. I think you might like it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cline also appreciates Chloe Winston\u2019s boundaries. \u201cIt\u2019s striking the right balance and not being too over the top. It\u2019s not: \u2018Let me come into your office once a month for new product shows.\u2019 It\u2019s them just being available and knowing when to ping us. We have some clients who will order things sight unseen. Some have to see everything in person, so it\u2019s very valuable when that physical retail exists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cline favors architectural, timeless and natural lighting fixtures.<\/em> Credit: Read McKendree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seeking out smaller companies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many designers, Cline relies on Visual Comfort & Co. as a go-to vendor and frequently buys from Hudson Valley Lighting Group. Together, she calls them \u201cexcellent starting points.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, she says, \u201cI love companies like Lostine<\/a> \u2026 and, then again, it depends on the project type. When we have more of a coastal project, Palecek is a lovely source. My favorite thing is finding a very small company that\u2019s new to the scene that does a great light, like Huey Lightshop<\/a>, for example. They have great fixtures. We\u2019ve also sourced a bunch from Lightwork Design Co.<\/a> \u2014 Michael Schley in Massachusetts. I love his work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite lighting tricks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given her background in architecture, Cline is personally drawn to \u201cunderstated architectural lighting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have an appreciation for patina, natural materials and things that are a little bit more timeless, rather than trend-driven,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also has some favorite lighting tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor example, instead of recessed lighting in the living room, let\u2019s do really interesting but small surface mount lights,\u201d Cline says. \u201cLong Made Co<\/a>. makes some really terrific ones. I think they add personality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, she explains, \u201cin my own house, we had the electrician come a couple weeks ago, and he installed half-lights meant for outside or even boats, but on our stairs. They are these beautiful brass round lights. They’re on a timer, and it’s great for the kids. We don’t need a nightlight anymore, and it just feels safer. It completely changes the way our whole house feels at night. It’s really, really lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if Cline can find a place to put a sconce, she will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI get made fun of for sconces,\u201d she says. \u201cI always want to put a sconce everywhere. It depends on what the room is and the function, but I always think a sconce finishes the space. It might be a light over art or something more dramatic in a powder bath, but I love a sconce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cline says she \u201cwants to put sconces everywhere,\u201d including in dramatic powder rooms like this one.<\/em> Credit: Kyle J. Caldwell. At right: Elana Tenenbaum<\/em> Credit: Read McKendree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

Behind the Design: Jamie Young Co.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designer Debrief: Emily Winters Posselt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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