I have to confess something—I'm absolutely obsessed with lighting fixtures. There's no single element in interior design that can transform a space as dramatically and instantly as the right lighting. While many of my clients focus on furniture and paint colors first, I always tell them that lighting fixtures are the secret to making any room feel truly special and complete.
This obsession reached new heights during my recent vacation to Los Cabos, Mexico, where I stayed at my timeshare resort. From the moment I walked through those beautiful spaces, I found myself constantly stopping to photograph the most stunning fixtures I've ever seen. My phone is now filled with lighting inspiration that I simply had to share with you!
Why I Believe Lighting is Everything
You know how I always say that lighting fixtures are like jewelry for your home? Well, Los Cabos proved this theory beyond any doubt. Every single fixture I encountered didn't just provide light—it became the star of the room. Whether it was a hand-forged iron chandelier casting the most beautiful shadows or colorful glass pendants that made rainbows dance on the walls, each piece told its own story.
What really struck me was how these Mexican designers fearlessly embraced lighting as art. They didn't hide their fixtures or choose boring, safe options. Instead, they celebrated lighting fixtures as the focal points they deserved to be. Look closely at the stunning light fixture below. It's made of rope! This showstopper is the first thing you see when you enter the resort lobby. No matter how many times I saw it, it never failed to take my breath away!
The Magic I Discovered in Strategic Fixture Placement
One of the biggest "aha" moments of my trip was observing how expertly these spaces layered different lighting fixtures throughout each room. Instead of relying on harsh overhead lighting (which I've been preaching against for years!), they created these gorgeous, multi-dimensional lighting schemes that felt warm and inviting at any time of day.
I photographed reading nooks with the most elegant table lamps that created perfect pools of light, and dining areas where pendant lights not only illuminated the table but actually defined the entire space.
Embracing Bold Designs (My New Favorite Thing!)
Let me tell you, the lighting fixtures I encountered in Los Cabos were anything but boring! These pieces were bold, colorful, and absolutely gorgeous. I fell in love with hand-blown glass fixtures in the most beautiful blues and warm amber tones that brought so much personality to otherwise neutral spaces.
The wrought iron pieces completely captivated me too—they had this old-world charm mixed with contemporary sophistication that I'm already dreaming about incorporating into my Orlando projects. These fixtures weren't background players; they were the stars of the show!
How I'm Bringing This Inspiration Home
I came back from Los Cabos with my creative mind buzzing with possibilities. While I'm not about to turn every project into a Mexican resort (though wouldn't that be fun?), I am definitely embracing the fearless approach to lighting design that I witnessed.
I'm already planning to be bolder with my fixture choices—thinking oversized chandeliers that make a real statement, unique table lamps that add unexpected pops of personality, and mixing metals and textures in ways I might have been more cautious about before. There's something so refreshing about stepping outside your comfort zone and seeing how other cultures approach design!
My Advice: Invest in Lighting That Moves You
Here's what I always tell my clients, and my Los Cabos experience reinforced this completely: quality lighting fixtures are one of the smartest investments you can make in your home. Unlike trends that come and go, beautiful lighting transcends time and continues to bring joy for decades.
The photographs I took during my trip serve as daily reminders that great design knows no borders. Sometimes we need to look beyond our immediate surroundings to discover what's truly possible. Those fixtures in Mexico didn't just light up rooms—they lit up my imagination!
If you take one thing away from my Los Cabos adventure, let it be this: don't settle for boring lighting. Your home deserves fixtures that make you smile every time you flip a switch. Trust me, the right lighting doesn't just change how your rooms look—it changes how they make you feel.
I'd love to help you discover how stunning lighting fixtures can transform your space! Contact me at Soho Interior Design, and let's create something beautiful together. You can reach me by calling me at (407) 743-2399 or emailing me at carmen@sohointeriordesign.com. for a free consultation.