Home décor of the 21st century has broken new ground in both style and functionality, and lighting is perhaps at the forefront of this continuing creative and aesthetic evolution of interior design.
Nima Noorudin, an architect and interior designer with more than 13 years of experience in premium hospitality, commercial and high-end residential projects, believes that lighting dictates how we perceive every aspect of the interiors, including design features, textures and materials. 
“Light fixtures make a strong statement in the aesthetics of any dining room and can create engaging visual experiences,” the Indian expat tells Community, “The lighting scheme should be designed creatively to meet functional requirements of the space as well as to develop the right mood and ambience.” 
Statement pendant lights are simpler than chandeliers and yet can create extraordinary impact, she points out. “The rule of thumb to hang light fixture is to keep a clear space of 30-34 inches above the table,” Noorudin explains, “The size of the pendant light should be between 1/2 and 2/3 the size of the table and the maximum size should be at least 12 inches less than the width or diameter of the table. A fixture with a busy or complex design will appear larger and hence the need to visually scale the width and height of the fixture accordingly to get the desired lighting effect.” 
The variegated or identical pendant lights that can be combined in multiple configurations are available in a wide range of style, shape, material and colour. This, Noorudin says, offers “limitless creative freedom” in composing bespoke solutions depending on the size and shape of the dining table.
Back in India, Noorudin has worked on top hospitality projects such as Manikya Resorts in Hyderabad and Renaissance Convention Centre in Mumbai, which she says has helped her “learn the nuances of concept development and detailing involved in high-end projects.” She has also been a visiting faculty for interior design students.
Four years back, Noorudin moved to Doha. “Qatar has presented me opportunities to showcase my talent in the international design scene, and I enjoy taking up interesting interior design consultation work. I have designed interiors of luxury Qatari villas in varied styles ranging from Islamic to Modern to European styles. This process requires discovering resources and collaborating with artisans across the globe; from the craftsmen in rural areas of India (brass accessories) to Italian Murano artists in Tuscany (bespoke chandeliers).” 
Noorudin’s design philosophy is to conceptualise aesthetically inspiring spaces that are timeless yet functional through innovative design approach and meticulous detailing. “I draw inspiration from the culture, history, lifestyle and preferences of the user to carve out engaging spaces that mirror the character and aspirations of the client,” she says.
Lighting fixtures fascinate Noorudin to no end and that interest also explains her wholesome understanding of the world of light play. “The most amazing lighting fixtures with the finest materials and meticulous craftsmanship are manufactured at specialty companies and designer studios,” she says, “Such companies, based mainly in Europe, advertise little and often operate directly with designers, premium hospitality and corporate clientele making the products less accessible to house owners scouting for unique fixtures.”
To give you an idea of this lesser-known realm of brightness, Noorudin shares her five picks of the finest pendant lights that create inspiring dining spaces:
 Balance: Crafted like a jewel with the finest crystals and suspended below inconspicuous spot lights mounted on ceiling, Balance is quite stunning. Windfall’s main innovation is that it has no complex integrated lighting systems but that it is simply lit from above. Chandeliers from Windfall also adorn the interiors of Cartier in Dubai Mall, Mont Blanc, Harry Winston, and Roberto Cavalli. The extraordinary craftsmanship in crystal and sheerness makes it contemporary yet very classic. They infuse the right amount of shimmer without being distracting and hence top my list of favourites.
 Marilyn Pendant: Designed by Manuel Vivian, this amazing light fixture consists of lead crystal strands (available in crystal or black colour) suspended from a canopy in satin nickel finish. Italy’s AXO Light combines traditional Venetian glasswork and artisan craftwork with avant-garde lighting techniques and innovative materials. It is the ultimate accessory to create a glamorous dining space with its crystals reflecting light that is subtle yet sparkling.
 Allure: This is handmade in Murano glass structure in which gold leaf powder is suspended. The pulverised gold leaf reflects the light of the LED lighting enclosed in the crystal elements, radiating a light of unworldly quality. Lamps can be combined in different configurations in which each element is positioned at different heights. It exudes luxury with its gilded details and can make quite a statement with its dynamic lighting.
 Perfume: With its crystal luminaries and metallic accents, Perfume weaves magic in light by transforming the character of the space. This fitting by Melogranoblu can render your dream dining area with ethereal radiance that evokes the fantasy of the viewer.
 Spill Ray Pendant: This piece can be attached to ceiling in myriad combinations giving complete creative control to the end user. The lighting scheme is unique and inspiring, in that it can be the focal point of a stylish and opulent dining room.