Brilliant offers a unique proposition, bringing together the disciplines of lighting, technology and interior design under one roof. This games room is a good example of how this works.

The client brief was for a contemporary, fun space which incorporated a pool table, seating area, cinema set up, kitchenette, and separate mezzanine for the children.

We started by focusing on how the room was going to be used, making sure that the size of the pool table did not encroach too much on the rest of the space and ensuring that the seating was placed in such a way that whether watching a film or playing a game of pool, all of the room occupants felt like they were part of the action.

The lighting design and Lutron lighting control system had to provide good lighting for the pool table, social lighting for the seating area, functional lighting for the kitchenette, and overall dramatic and funky lighting for parties and just because it looks good! With minimal fixing points for light fittings we used a custom made aluminium profile over the pool table for a clean lined and aesthetically minimal look. The size and mounting height of the profile was calculated vs the pool table, architectural beams and the film projector: the two had to complement rather than clash. Even things like the height of the freestanding lamps was checked vs the projector throw, to ensure that one didn’t interrupt the other.

The cinema setup uses an acoustically transparent drop down screen with a very clean lined and discrete cover.

The Artcoustic speakers were chosen both for their audio properties and because they would provide a striking focal point at the end of the room. Of the five tall pictures that you see, only two are actually speakers: the central three panels were custom made to match, with hardwood mounts and Artcoustic speaker covers.

Amid all these technical requirements, the room is given overall cohesion and style with the interior design. A mixture of restful neutrals, taupe and metallic greys accented with splashes of vibrant red. Beautifully tactile fabrics and rugs and custom made furniture make the space both smart and liveable. The red ‘Brilliant Wing Chair’ is a one off design for this project: it’s a modern quirky take on a traditional wing back – deeply comfortable, and sized for one and a half. The ‘Mrs Brilliant Chair’ is its smaller counterpart, again a bespoke design which helps visually tie in all the upholstery within the scheme. All the little details are covered: the client’s sports memorabilia was reframed, a custom made cue rack adds fun and functionality to a strip of wall which would have otherwise been neglected and a fantastic piece of glass art introduces the scheme colours over the kitchenette. Lutron controlled electric curtains and Silent Gliss roof light blinds both give the room softness and light control for films.

The mezzanine area is a funky space for children. A deeply comfortable bespoke corner sofa was sited slightly out from the sloping ceiling both to provide extra head height and to create a ledge from which linear LEDs project a soft wash of light up the ceiling. This is mirrored by underlighting the sofa: the LEDs pick up the silky rug and make the space seem larger, with depth and movement. A custom made cabinet hides a pop up TV, and individually designed wall hexagons give interest to the back wall as well as potential storage.