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Gateshead designer sheds new light on luxury hotel development

A new luxury hotel has turned to a Gateshead-based business to illuminate its multi-million pound development.
Rockliffe Hall, the new hotel, golf and spa development which opens its doors in Hurworth near Darlington later this year has handed KLS Lighting Design a £1.5m budget to create the new lighting design for all interior and exterior areas of the former 18th Century country home.

Kristina Simpson, owner of KLS Lighting Design says: “As a lighting designer, this is such a fantastic project to work on. Helping to complement their ambitions to create a five star complex that maintains its traditional feel, yet offers a range of contemporary touches, really pushes the boundaries for us.

“Sometimes the biggest compliment anyone will pay to a lighting designer is that they simply don’t notice the lighting in any development. Generally, that means you’ve been able to create a natural and discreet solution which is neither gregarious nor insufficient. The lighting scheme is about complimenting the architecture and interior design which is what people should notice, and it’s my job to make their building look even better”. However KLS Lighting Design did have some fun with some specific lighting applications which will no doubt attract the attention of visitors. Rockliffe Hall’s golf facility will open in July this year with the hotel and spa opening later in the year.

Nick Holmes, managing director of Rockliffe Hall said: “The correct lighting of an establishment of this nature is something that can make the difference between an ordinary and an unforgettable experience. Superior lighting is so often overlooked and we’re thrilled to have found someone of Kristina’s talents almost on our doorstep.

“She’s challenged our brief and created touches and effects that we never thought possible. With so many different elements to Rockliffe Hall, from the golf course to the spa, restaurants and rooms themselves, it was always going to be a demanding brief. However we are now just as excited as she is to see the overall effect once we have the big switch on.”

As well as creating a number of ‘wow’ effects in places such as the luxury spa and gym areas, Kristina says she is equally proud to be making the most of the stunning landscape in which Rockliffe Hall is set, and has created a number of exterior features which supplement a number of mature trees which surround the hall.

Also included in the KLS plans are special features in each of the 61 bedrooms which will enable hotel residents to set a range of different ‘moods’ throughout different parts of the room, including the bathroom and lounge areas. Kristina added: “All the bedrooms are very large and that has enabled us to come up with a great system which can be controlled by the hotel residents. At the touch of a button, they will be able to create a number of different effects in their room to generate whatever mood they like...lets just say it’s a little bit more than the traditional dimmer switch!”

The 29-year-old, originally from Northumberland, has been running KLS Lighting for over two years, having worked in London and Edinburgh since graduating in Interior Design from Leeds Metropolitan University. She works closely with architects and interior designers on creating lighting solutions for a range of clients that vary from hotels, bars and restaurants and other commercial properties to large scale private developments.

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