For an exclusive dinner hosted by Chanel at the iconic New York Public Library, the design objective was to create a sophisticated architectural atmosphere that would seamlessly complement a candlelit dining experience. Working in collaboration with Prodject, my approach focused on subtlety and precision to “clean up” the visual environment of the historic hall while highlighting its grandeur. I began by auditing the venue’s existing architectural lighting plans and introducing a layered strategy to bring the space to life. To accentuate the library’s massive marble columns, we installed additional floor fixtures housed in small boxes, custom-painted to blend perfectly with the stone walls. These were discretely cabled into floor pockets and controlled via in-line foot dimmers to keep the technology invisible. Simultaneously, I repurposed the venue’s existing overhead track lighting, experimenting with a mix of spots and floods to balance the illumination. As the tables were set, I worked hands-on with a team of electricians to meticulously refocus these fixtures, pinpointing floral arrangements and table settings while removing unnecessary ambient light. This process discovered a delicate balance where directional electric light surprisingly enhanced the natural candlelight rather than overpowering it, resulting in an intimate, warm enviroment.