When light meets texture
· 4 min read
Natural materials are full of relief: the trowel marks in lime plaster, the pores of travertine, the grain of oak. Light from the front flattens them. Light from the side reveals them.
Grazing versus washing
Grazing places the light close to a surface, at a steep angle, to exaggerate texture. Washing places it further away for an even, flat field of light. Use grazing on stone and plaster you want to celebrate, and washing on art and smooth walls.
Mind the imperfections
Grazing light reveals everything, including uneven board joints. Plan it with your plasterer, and test it on a sample before the wall is finished.