When we first began renovations for Casa Zuma, I knew I wanted the lighting to feel warm and layered. During the day, the house is shaped by natural light—the way it moves across the walls, filters through the trees, and changes as the sun lowers over the Pacific. At night, the lighting needed to create that same sense of atmosphere without flooding every room with brightness.
Working with Lightology gave us access to both sides of the lighting plan: the sculptural fixtures that bring texture and personality to each room, and the quieter architectural lighting that works almost entirely behind the scenes. Together, they allow the house to shift naturally from bright and functional during the day to soft and intimate at night.
The lighting you feel more than see
Some of the most thoughtful details in our home are the ones designed to disappear. Throughout the house, PureEdge recessed downlights and integrated light channels keep the ceiling planes visually clean while drawing attention to the architecture itself.
This was especially important because the house has vaulted ceilings and strong, simple lines. We didn’t want a busy lighting plan competing with them. Cove lighting emphasizes the height and shape of the rooms, while focused recessed lights provide visibility where we need it—in the kitchen for cooking and prep, along shelving and cabinetry, and throughout the home for everyday tasks.
Dimming and zoned controls let us adjust each space depending on how we’re using it. The kitchen can be brighter while I’m cooking, then soften for dinner without changing the mood of the entire room. For me, the value of smart lighting isn’t technology for its own sake. It’s the ability to make those transitions feel effortless.
Fixtures that bring warmth and texture
While the architectural lighting was designed to recede, the decorative fixtures gave us an opportunity to introduce natural materials and sculptural forms.
In the great room, two oversized Augusta Chandeliers draw the eye upward and add a woven counterpoint to the oak cabinetry and stone surfaces. The scale helps anchor the expansive room, but the open weave keeps them from feeling too heavy against the view.
The Noa Wall Sconces bring that same organic texture to the entryway, while a Kasbah Rattan Pendant gives the family room a relaxed, intimate glow. In the kids’ rooms, we chose fixtures with their own distinct personalities: the sculptural Finley Chandelier in Phoebe’s room, and a Three Tier Jute Chandelier with warm brass Dax sconces in Henry’s.
The fixtures are different from room to room, but the materials create a thread of continuity. Woven fibers, warm metals, and softly diffused light all support the earthy, relaxed feeling we wanted throughout the house.
The sculptural Finley Chandelier adds an expressive focal point to Phoebe’s room. In Henry’s room, a jute chandelier and brass bedside sconces create layers of warm light.
Extending the atmosphere outdoors
Indoor-outdoor living was central to the design of Casa Zuma, so the exterior lighting needed to feel like a natural extension of the rooms inside. We used black Pitch Outdoor Wall Sconces across the exterior to illuminate entrances, pathways, and gathering spaces while quietly defining the architecture.
Our goal was to use enough light to make the outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, and terraces functional after sunset—without overpowering the landscape or competing with the night sky. The light stays warm, low, and directed exactly where it’s needed.
Now, as the daylight fades, the house takes on an entirely different mood. Small pools of light draw us through the rooms and out onto the terrace. It feels quiet, inviting, and deeply connected to its surroundings—which is exactly what we hoped the lighting would accomplish.
Restrained exterior lighting makes the terraces welcoming after sunset while preserving Malibu’s natural darkness.
Shop the lighting at Casa Zuma
Great Room
Entryway
Family Room
Phoebe’s Room
Henry’s Room
Exterior
Architectural Lighting by PureEdge
- Luca 3.5-Inch Warm Dim Recessed Downlights
- 0.3-Inch DIY Surface Mount Light Channel with Lazer and Stomp Strip
- 45-Degree DIY Surface Mount Light Channel
