Lighting the Journey

20 June

Napoleon House by FTLO Design x Beacon Lighting

Project Feature | Words by FTLO Design | Photography by Dylan James

In the leafy suburb of Eltham, FTLO Design Director, Taeler, reimagines a 1970s Merchant Builders home into Napoleon House — a serene, sculptural residence where light becomes the defining element of atmosphere and experience.

Partnering with Beacon Lighting, Taeler designed a layered lighting scheme that elevates the home’s architectural rhythm and natural material palette, guiding visitors on an emotive journey through light, texture, and form.

A Sequence of Light and Shadow

From the first approach, the home reveals itself through a series of choreographed moments. The MBM Seaside Escarpment Wall Bracket in Aged Bronze with Spanish Alabaster shades sets the tone — the perfect balance of refinement and warmth. Its soft diffusion complements the bronze-framed windows and the home’s Oblique™ cladding, casting a gentle glow across the façade.

Stepping inside, the Abacus 3-Light Single Drop Pendants in Bronze with Sepia Glass suspend gracefully against a textural brick wall — an elegant interplay of old and new. Their amber tone warms the double-height entryway, re-energising the original structure with quiet sophistication.

Illuminating the Path

At the end of the entry, an artwork is spotlighted by the Brooklyn 1-Light Spotlight, subtly drawing movement upward and inward — a sculptural invitation to explore. Along the gallery-like corridor, Amore Pleated Wall Sconces in Natural Linen punctuate the journey.

By day, these fixtures act as delicate sculptural accents; by night, they become ambient guides, tracing a path through the hallway and into the main living spaces. Their rhythmic repetition enhances the sense of connection and calm that defines Napoleon House.

Anchoring the Heart of the Home

In the expansive kitchen, living and dining space, the Miller 4-Light Pendant in Bronze commands attention without overwhelming. It anchors the three-metre-high ceiling, creating a moment of balance — a sculptural presence that complements the earthy, textural palette beneath.

“The lighting had to echo the home’s architectural gestures,” Taeler explains. “Each piece was chosen to enhance a moment — a wall, a corridor, a shift in ceiling height — so that the journey feels seamless, never decorative for the sake of it.”

Extending the Glow Outdoors

Externally, the lighting continues the story. MFL Tahimi Wall Lights in White Concrete are thoughtfully positioned around the façade — architectural ornaments by day, softly diffused lanterns by night. Their texture harmonises with the cladding and landscape, breaking down form through gentle light play.

This continuity blurs the threshold between interior and exterior, allowing the home to be experienced as a unified composition of light and structure.

A Collaboration in Atmosphere

The partnership between FTLO Design and Beacon Lighting reflects a shared understanding that lighting is not just functional — it’s emotional. In Napoleon House, each luminaire serves as both sculpture and storyteller, amplifying the design’s warmth and sense of calm.

The result is a home that feels timeless, tactile and deeply connected to its landscape — a perfect embodiment of FTLO Design’s ethos of accessible, beautiful architecture made personal.