Interior designers Kori Messinger and Nicole Fagerli of Foxchase Design share how thoughtful lighting transforms a space—and how to get it right, room by room.
As any seasoned designer will tell you, lighting is not just a finishing touch—it’s the foundation. The right lighting plan doesn’t just brighten a room; it defines mood, enhances architecture, and guides how people live, work, and gather in a space.
Lighting is all about layers—a careful blend of ambient, task, and accent light that serves both function and feel. From historic renovations to a hidden speakeasy, Messinger and Fagerli combine beauty and practicality through carefully selected fixtures, expert placement, and a deep understanding of how light shapes the way we live.
A Historic Home with Modern Sensibility
A historic estate has been reimagined for 21st-century living, serving as a second home for entertaining. With its low ceilings and 2-over-2 floor plan, the design challenge centered on proportion and purpose. “We scaled the lighting carefully because too much fixture in a tight space overwhelms, and too little leaves it flat,” says Messinger.
In the bathrooms, light comes from multiple directions—overhead, through a window, and via carefully placed sconces—offering a balance of natural and ambient glow. “Bathroom lighting should come from more than one place,” Fagerli notes. “You want light beside your face, above the mirror, and in the center of the room so you’re evenly lit.”
Lighting also plays a vital role in making the home comfortable and inviting for guests. Fixtures were selected not only for their scale but also for the warm, welcoming glow they create during gatherings. “When you’re entertaining, you want lighting that makes people feel relaxed and looks beautiful at the same time,” says Messinger. “It’s about setting the mood without making it obvious.” From softly lit entryways to layered lighting in shared spaces, every fixture helps support the home’s role as a gracious retreat for friends and family.
The Office Speakeasy
For this project in a downtown Charlottesville office, Foxchase Design transformed a standard workspace into something unforgettable—a hidden speakeasy tucked discreetly behind a bookcase. Conceived as a surprise by the client’s wife, the space was designed to celebrate her husband’s love of music while offering a dramatic and intimate retreat.
Foxchase collaborated closely with the client’s wife to infuse the space with personal touches and bold design choices, creating a room that felt both deeply meaningful and entirely unexpected. Throughout the process, lighting played a critical role in shaping the atmosphere and enhancing the sense of discovery. “We always think about how lighting can support not just how a space looks, but how it makes you feel
the moment you step inside,” says Messinger.
In addition to custom fixtures, the team incorporated smart lighting controls to help transition the mood throughout the day. “Lighting has the power to completely change the energy of a space,” adds Fagerli. “With just the right adjustment, you can make a room feel relaxed and cozy or vibrant and alive.” Whether set for quiet reflection or lively conversation, the lighting plan ensures that every corner of the speakeasy feels both purposeful and inviting.Left: In this personalized office retreat, layered lighting, treasured instruments, and curated art come together to create a workspace that feels both inspiring and deeply personal. Foxchase collaborated with artist Lauren Danley to create a chandelier made of all-access passes, transforming decades of concert memories into a dynamic, shimmering centerpiece.
Creating Continuity in a Classic Home
In this newly renovated historic property, the lighting design had to support both gracious architecture and modern living. Lighting also serves as one of the most effective ways to tie a home’s design together, creating a cohesive look from room to room. Foxchase carefully selected fixtures with complementary finishes and styles to ensure a natural flow throughout the historic space. “Lighting is like the final layer of jewelry for a home,” says Fagerli. “It’s that last detail that pulls everything together and makes the whole design feel complete.”
This thoughtful approach goes beyond selecting beautiful fixtures—it’s about ensuring every lighting choice contributes to a unified, harmonious design throughout the home. “We always think about whether the chandelier in one room plays well with the one in the next,” says Messinger. “Especially in an open floor plan, every fixture should feel like part of the same conversation.”
That sense of continuity extended to the kitchen, where soaring 12-foot ceilings called for fixtures with presence. “We selected lights scaled to fill the space without overwhelming it,” says Fagerli. Over the island, pendant lights bring both task lighting and visual anchor, while under-cabinet lights add function without sacrificing aesthetics. “Every layer has a job to do,” Fagerli says.Kori Messinger and Nicole Fagerli founded Foxchase Design in 2016 after years of working on projects at renowned design firm Stedman House. They’ve carried forward a shared passion for timeless, high-quality interiors, creating refined spaces throughout Virginia and beyond. Based in Charlottesville, Kori and Nicole design spaces that reflect each client’s unique style through thoughtful collaboration, imagination, and attention to detail.
Lighting Tips from Foxchase Design
Light Every Corner: A well-lit room should include overhead, mid-level, and low light sources.
Use Dimmers Generously: Dimmers allow you to instantly shift the mood and function of a space.
Scale Matters: High ceilings demand larger, more dramatic fixtures, while tight spaces call for clever solutions like wall sconces.
Match with Intention: Not every lamp has to match, but keeping finishes consistent—especially for larger overhead fixtures—helps tie a space together.
Layer with Warmth: Choose warm-toned bulbs in the 2700–3000K range for light that flatters both people and spaces.
Add Smart Controls: Use dimmers, timers, or app-controlled plugs to customize lighting throughout the day.
Ideal Lamp Size and Shades: Select lamps between 28 and 32 inches tall for most tables to achieve the right scale. Update shades for a fresh look and consider using decorative fabric shades to add color and texture.
Pair Matching Lamps: Matching lamps on nightstands, consoles, or buffets create visual balance and symmetry.