Love that Design stepped into Counterculture by Light & Lives to speak to the founder, Afsal Mohamed; the Managing Partner, Alex George; and the Operations Director, Aleksandra Ivanovic. In these ‘enlightening’ conversations, we uncovered their thought processes that not only light up rooms but also kindle spirits.
Light is no longer confined to its humble origins. Today, it does much more than being your functional companion in the darkness. In fact, spaces can go from ordinary to extraordinary if they are perfectly ‘lit’. Imagine a lavish home with the perfect ambience, where every corner radiates warmth. Or an office space where productivity soars under the soft glow of thoughtfully placed lights. This is the essence of Light & Lives.
Light & Lives is a unique boutique lighting design studio and furniture & objects store. Their team strives to infuse every corner with an ineffable charm. With profound expertise in lighting, décor, and furniture, they aim to inspire positivity and exceptional design, where light and objects synergize to elevate the human experience within every space. Their bespoke lighting solutions are not mere embellishments; they are the architects of ambience, shaping moods, and narrating stories through light.
From left to right: Aleksandra Ivanovic, Operations Director; Afsal Mohamed, Founder; Alex George, Managing Partner
The driving force behind Light & Lives’ success is its dynamic trio – Afsal Mohamed, the visionary founder; Alex George, the passionate Managing Partner; and Aleksandra Ivanovic, the enterprising Operations Director. Beyond their professional camaraderie, it’s their collective passion for design and creativity that fuels the company’s vibrant and collaborative spirit.
Shining Through the Gaps
At the heart of Light & Lives lies a vision that started with the founder, Afsal Mohamed, who sought the freedom to design, manage, and choose projects with utmost flexibility. Afsal shares, “What began as a love for designer products, lighting, and interior design evolved into curating a diverse array of brands from around the globe to cater to unique projects.” He identified a gap in the market—an overall lack of attention to detail in project delivery and quality control. “This realisation fueled our mission to provide turnkey solutions, from design consultation to project management,” he narrates.
“What began as a love for designer products, lighting, and interior design evolved into curating a diverse array of brands from around the globe to cater to unique projects. There was a gap in the market—an overall lack of attention to detail in project delivery and quality control. This realisation fueled our mission to provide turnkey solutions, from design consultation to project management.“
– Afsal Mohamed, Founder, Light & Lives
A Holistic Approach to Design Excellence
Unlike others, Light & Lives doesn’t solely focus on singular products like lighting, furniture, or acoustics. Instead, they take a holistic approach to projects, understanding the designer’s vision, the end-user experience, and the client’s value in executing the space. Afsal points out, “Our approach has consistently focused on identifying the optimal combination of products that align with the design intent, offer the required functionality, and harmonise seamlessly with one another.” Alex adds, “We always try to understand what the design intent is, what they’re looking for as the final result in the project. Working in reverse, we then offer them various design solutions in line with the parameters provided.”
“At Light and Lives, our greatest compliment is that we consistently go beyond expectations to deliver the best possible results.“
– Aleksandra Ivanovic, Operations Director, Light & Lives
The team’s dedication lies in delivering quality projects on time—a rarity in the industry. “At Light and Lives, our greatest compliment is that we consistently go beyond expectations to deliver the best possible results,” Aleksandra says with elation.
Their aim is to find the perfect mix of products that align with the design intent, enhance functionality, and harmoniously complement each other—all while adhering to the right budget—a true ‘counter-culture’ to conventional norms.
Counterculture – A Showroom That Does More Than Just Showing
One pinnacle of their innovation is Counterculture, their awe-inspiring showroom that transcends conventional displays. Counterculture epitomises the art of blending lighting, furniture, and decorative objects into an inspiring experience. When asked about the reason behind the name CounterCulture, Afsal answers saying, “The name ‘CounterCulture’ resonates perfectly with our way of working, aligns with our thought process, and reflects our core values.”
More than just a display of products, the showroom is a curated experience that showcases how design elements can effortlessly come together. Embracing contemporary trends and requirements, this space serves as an inspiration hub, welcoming all design enthusiasts driven by creativity.
“We always try to understand what the design intent is, what they’re looking for as the final result in the project. Working in reverse, we then offer them various design solutions in line with the parameters provided.“
– Alex George, Managing Partner, Light & Lives
Innovation Meets Artful Illumination
Light & Lives relentlessly explores new frontiers in lighting design. Innovation becomes their creed as they unravel novel materials and technologies to bring products and brands that transcend conventional boundaries. The interweaving of advanced engineering and artistic flair is the hallmark of their creations. They craft architectural and interior lighting that remains unobtrusive yet influential, elevating spaces to their fullest potential. A reverence for clean aesthetics manifests in sleek lines and uncluttered forms that gracefully complement any interior, breathing airiness into even the most confined spaces.
A Cohesive Crew That Makes The Magic Happen
Behind the scenes, the Light & Lives team operates like a well-oiled machine. Specialists in design, installation, project management, delivery, and troubleshooting come together like a close-knit family. Aleksandra mentions, “Our culture can be described as collaborative and, above all, very supportive. We believe in creating an environment where everybody has a voice, feels valued, and is empowered to be their best.”
Under the guidance of Alex George, the team collaborates closely with designers from the concept stage onwards. They brainstorm, understand design intent, and propose various solutions that cater to different budget parameters. Their goal is to create functional and aesthetically pleasing lighting layouts, considering the technical constraints unique to each project.
“Our culture can be described as collaborative and, above all, very supportive. We believe in creating an environment where everybody has a voice, feels valued, and is empowered to be their best.“
– Aleksandra Ivanovic, Operations Director, Light & Lives
Watt’s Next?
The future for Light & Lives holds exciting prospects. They are constantly on the lookout for innovative products worldwide to add to their collection. Moreover, their online platform, featuring the region’s largest collection of lighting, furniture, and acoustic products, is set to be enhanced with a Moodboard module, simplifying product specification for professionals.
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Date added:
31 October, 2023
