“Gracjana loves the idea of open spaces and has a vision for maximising them. While I have a good working knowledge of lighting, I don’t have the skill to pull all the visuals together. “Many people are unable to visualise how things will look – and that’s where Gracjana comes in. She can present the client with the full package with mood boards and images so they can see exactly what the space will look like when it is completed,” says James, who has recently supplied all the lighting for a prestigious new restaurant in Ormskirk. “The restaurant has a nature-based theme and features mostly earthy tones so we made this a consideration when putting forward the lighting proposal. Ceiling heights were a consideration so we chose lighting that was flush for the ceiling and wall lights to create ambience. Gracjana sourced antique style wall lighting in brass and walnut to go with the natural autumnal gold and browns of the colour palette.”
MEET THE DESIGNER James Kok and Gracjana Sujdak explain how they are able to create visuals for some of the most prestigious interior design projects in the North West, so clients can see how a space can be totally transformed by specialist lighting
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ighting is a crucial aspect of interior design.You could say it’s one of the most important elements, and no-one knows this more than expert James Kok – a descendant of the Kok lighting dynasty. “Lighting is often the most important part of a room but unfortunately it is often the last consideration. If you think about lighting from the start, it enables you to incorporate different design elements,” explains James, who has just brought interior designer Gracjana Sujdak on board to enhance
what the business can offer in terms of presenting mood boards and images so clients can visualise how certain lighting can be incorporated into a room or on the exterior of a property. Graduating from UCLan, Gracjana has already made an impact working on a number of high-profile projects alongside James. Favouring large open spaces and commercial buildings, she has recently produced feature walls for an Indian restaurant and worked with James on an outdoor lighting scheme in the south Lakes.
Also working on large private properties as well as commercial buildings, Gracjana and James were recently approached by a client who had been looking for suitable lighting for her home for more than four years. “She had a limited colour palette throughout her home, which was very minimalist in shades of black, white and cream. The client was very particular in what she wanted to achieve. “Gracjana helped source lighting for the lounge and the bedroom – in the lounge she chose a light that was in a neutral shade but stunning in design. For the bedroom she helped source a chandelier that has become the focal point of the room. It is timeless and totally elegant – sometime less is more,” adds James, who works with the best lighting manufacturers and brands in the world.
