--- title: "Brilliant! Lighting & Design — Lighting Showrooms & Sales | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/lighting-showrooms-and-sales/brilliant-lighting-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1350576979 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1350576979.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Brilliant! Lighting & Design" category: ["Lighting Showrooms & Sales"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3df305d40f7067b0_0249-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1753 Middle Road, Bridport, Vermont 05734, United States" latitude: 43.9538 longitude: -73.3476 phone: "(802) 258-8308" website: http://brilliant-ldi.com rating: 5 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 190 last_updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Brilliant! Lighting & Design Original Houzz profile: [Brilliant! Lighting & Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/lighting-showrooms-and-sales/brilliant-lighting-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1350576979) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Lighting Showrooms & Sales - **Location:** Bridport, VT - **Serves:** Rutland, Brattleboro, Middlebury (village), Castleton, Brandon, Charlotte, Bristol, Newfane, Marlboro, Adirondack, and elsewhere online., Ashuelot, Moriah, Ticonderoga, Vermont, Western MA, Williamsville - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2014–2019), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Online consultation - Budget friendly We work with Layers of Light, for Architecture and Special Events. Illuminating Engineering Society - Associate Member Images of Brilliant! lighting work have appeared in Fine Homebuilding magazine, as well as Dwell, Design New England, Cape Cod Life, Custom Home, Solar Today, and Vineyard Style magazines. Spaces (inside or out) where we spend lots of time want to be adjustable to our varied desires, needs, or moods. So light wants to be projected into those spaces through a variety of means, or more simply, by utilizing layers of light. Brilliant! Lighting design experiences include lighting modern to colonial, and contemporary to victorian styles; Timber-framed as well as stick-framed spaces, both residential and commercial; Exterior living spaces and landscapes too. Plus, we work with the most current crop of energy-efficient LED lamps as much as possible. Performance lighting in the arts (dance, theater, opera, live music and video) & special events over the past 40 years shapes many of the design approaches used and informs choices in each project. In all cases, experience teaches us that the collaboration between partners is of the greatest importance, and of the greatest joy. The design process is at its' most successful when many voices can be heard, then a discerning eye and deeply mindful understanding can be applied to reach the best of all possible solutions. ### Services Provided - Lighting Design - Lighting Sales - Outdoor Lighting Design ### Areas Served - Rutland - Brattleboro - Middlebury (village) - Castleton - Brandon - Charlotte - Bristol - Newfane - Marlboro - Adirondack - and elsewhere online. - Ashuelot - Moriah - Ticonderoga - Vermont - Western MA - Williamsville ### Typical Job Cost $300 - 1.5 million $300 - 1.5 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Brilliant! Lighting & Design | | Address | 1753 Middle Road, Bridport, Vermont 05734, United States | | Phone | (802) 258-8308 | | Website | http://brilliant-ldi.com | | Followers on Houzz | 190 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/pages/brilliant-lighting-design/217819711597841 - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=49741688&trk=tab\_pro - Blog — brilliant-ldi.com ## Offers (DEMO) OFFERS _(DEMO) DISCLAIMER_ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Brilliant! Lighting & Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/lighting-showrooms-and-sales/brilliant-lighting-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1350576979) - **Website:** http://brilliant-ldi.com - **Phone:** (802) 258-8308 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Illuminating Engineering Society - Associate Member - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2014–2019), for Service, Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — Stephanie Boyer, Jan. 2019** > We highly recommend Tim Matheisen for lighting consultation and design. We had no idea how to structure lighting for our timber frame house, so we contacted Tim. He's a friendly and relatable guy who listened well to our questions and concerns, sussed out our tastes, and responded with excellent suggestions and options. We are delighted with the result. **★★★★★ — Susan Aeschbach, Dec. 2018** > I am pleased to write a review for Tim Mathiesen. We really appreciated his input about the lighting during the renovation of our lake home in Monterey MA. He was quite knowledgeable about type of lighting, placement of it and what might “work” in our setting. We had the idea of putting up 3 very large Naguchi paper lights in our great room and he knew just how large they needed to be to provide sufficient light. He was also very helpful in advising us a bout the placement of sconces and recommending recessed lighting. I have a great deal of light sensitivity and am unable to tolerate light from exposed light bulbs and he was able to “get” this and was able to make recommendations that worked for my eyes. We were very pleased with his work and would recommend him highly! Because of our location in MA which is far from where he works in VT, we needed to communicate remotely through sending pictures. While this ultimately did work, it would have been preferable to have him be able to come to the house in person to experience the space but aside from this, kudos to Tim! **Comment from Brilliant! Lighting & Design:** > Thank you so much Susan. > It was a pleasure to work with you and Neil on the renovations of your lake home. I hope to see the final results in person one day. > Onward! **★★★★★ — Mary Ellen M., June 2017** > Tim of Brilliant L&D exceeded our expectations in our new home project. Working with him made us realize how lighting can change the feel of a home in ways large and small. We wouldn't have necessarily selected (or even found!) the fixtures he recommended but we trusted his expertise and we could not be more pleased with the outcome. Hire this guy!!!! **★★★★★ — melkahn25, Oct. 2015** > Full Disclosure, I am the Client of the photos from Chesterfield Kitchen. > However Tim came recommended by our GC, and we did not know him prior to the quality work he did to transform an open timber-frame outdoor kitchen into a showcase of light, drama, contrast, utility and ultimately, beauty through lighting. > The experience of driving up to our house with the new lighting system blazing, and the kitchen and company in full swing, is a moment to savor. Tim came through on every aspect of the project from conception (such innovative ideas) to execution, to overseeing the electrical installation to polishing the finished product. It was flawless. Even a year after it was done, when a 20W halogen bulb was not satisfactory in the cable light, he remedied it with a 10 W bulb solution and came and fixed it himself. > TIm is a Pro and you'd be lucky to have his expertise on any aspect of lighting a project. I highly recommend that lighting be one of the areas you not overlook or skimp on, as it turns out that lights are really the pulse of most rooms. It may cost a dollar or two to get it right, but money spent on lighting design will be money well spent in the overall project. **★★★★★ — User, July 2013** > Tasteful, thoughtful, innovative and helpful. Tim's knowledge of design in general enabled me to develop my own house concept without the years of research that he obviously has already put in. **★★★★★ — nanlibby, June 2013** > I've had the good fortune to work with Tim Mathiesen of Brilliant! Lighting & Design and I can't say enough positive things about his work and the whole process of choosing a lighting design and then to see it implemented. I'm in the beginning stages of renovating a new home and Tim has already come up with some brilliant ideas! If you want to work with a talented, honest, and fun lighting designer -- get in touch with Tim! ## Selected projects - [Island Images](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/island-images-pj-vj~90857) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: A small series of miscellaneous images from a variety of projects that I designed lighting for while an employee-owner of the design/build team at South Mountain Co. - www.southmountain.com - [Akley Timberframe](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/akley-timberframe-pj-vj~41852) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: An open plan timberframe saltbox with additions & full renovations. Design collaboration by Brown & Davis Design and the homeowners. Images by Squarelight Photography. - [Old Barn Turned Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/old-barn-turned-farmhouse-pj-vj~6343655) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: A deep energy retrofit of an ancient barn turned into high-performance farmhouse. All photos © Lindsay Selin Photography Architect: Bluetime Collaborative Contractor: Kent Webster Construction crew: Mathes Hulme Builders Interior design: Joanne Palmisano Design - [Jamaica SFR](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jamaica-sfr-pj-vj~2979696) - Location: Jamaica, VT - Photos: 8 - Description: New residence coming together, with voluminous spaces and a contemporary rustic style. - [Brattleboro KDR](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brattleboro-kdr-pj-vj~1407814) - Location: Brattleboro, VT - Photos: 4 - Description: Kitchen & Dining renovations in collaboration with Cotton Design Associates of Newfane VT. - [Southern VT Ski Lodge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/southern-vt-ski-lodge-pj-vj~1384797) - Location: Wilmington, VT - Photos: 7 - Description: Ski Lodge, 80,000+ SF, membership only, in southern VT. Its elegant, a bit rustic, befitting the surrounding area, and stunningly beautiful to be in! Very pleased with the lighting design elements that made it to project completion (a few items axed from final budget would have been 'icing on the cake' - more timber uplighting, custom illuminated clock on the tower, lit weathervanes, etc.). Architectural Design by Austin Design Inc. & John Guminak Design Services. - [Brookline Log Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brookline-log-cabin-pj-vj~71041) - Location: Brookline, VT - Photos: 7 - Description: Starting as a decades-old dark log home, in need of updated windows, doors, insulation and lighting, along with a modern kitchen and adding a three-season porch. Renovation design by Cotton Design Associates. - [Chesterfield Outdoor Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chesterfield-outdoor-kitchen-pj-vj~1384235) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: The Project Goals: To increase use-ability & safety of outdoor spaces. The kitchen needs to be highly functional (for a homeowner who loves to cook!) and provide great hang-out / entertaining areas. Structure design & general contracting by Kent Webster. - [Contemporary SFR](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-sfr-pj-vj~1407899) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Contemporary SFR in collaboration with Brown & Davis Design of Jericho VT Citation in 2014 AIA Vermont People's Choice Award [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/lighting-showrooms-and-sales/brilliant-lighting-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1350576979) ## Ideabooks - [Lights to find a home for...](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1921715/list/lights-to-find-a-home-for) — 59 ideas - [Layers of Light](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2041587/list/layers-of-light) — 9 ideas - [Beauty, eh?](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2634336/list/beauty-eh) — 14 ideas - [Night Light Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1921698/list/night-light-ideas) — 36 ideas - [Lights: Clusters and Groupings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2029533/list/lights-clusters-and-groupings) — 40 ideas [See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/brilliantld) ## Community Q&A **Q: Beam Angle for Kitchen Task Lighting** *(in Lighting)* We are looking to purchase 3" deep regress LED downlights for our kitchen. They will be centered to countertop edges as task lighting; Supplemental under-cabinet lighting will be installed. What is the appropriate beam angle for a ~140 sq ft area with a 109"H ceiling in this case? Thank you! A: @doraemon, typically I suggest wider beam angles for kitchens. So for USAI fixture you’ve chosen that would mean using the 40 or 50. Final fixture choice and your desire/tolerance for the even-ness (or any lack thereof) of the overall wash/blanket of light will determine the actual spacing of the installed units. **Q: Help with Kitchen Lighting Design** *(in Lighting)* Hi all, We're about to finalize our lighting design for a kitchen remodel and would love some feedback before we send it off. Colored are corrections to our designer's light placements. • Ceiling height: 109" A.F.F. • Cabinets to be professionally spray-painted by cabinetmakers in a light, soft beige-taupe (think BM Edgecomb Gray) • Stainless steel appliances, polished nickel faucet • Non-recessed lights include 3 pendant lights over island, 1 wall sconce, 1 picture light above open shelves, and 1 flush mount at the kitchen entrance; all antique brass finish Recommendations for recessed light size and model, as well as lumen output would be greatly appreciated! A: a matter of personal preferences… I never recommend / specify fixtures that use clear glass ‘shades’ (I put in quotes because it does nothing to shade you from the glare of the light bulb), nor fixtures that expose the light source to direct view. If you or your guests are shading your eyes from the bare bulbs in your pendants, what exactly is the ‘decorative’ quality you had hoped to gain? Also as alluded to in my original comments, proportion of fixtures in space is an important consideration in good lighting design. 7” diameter pendants IMO are too small for the volume of space in your kitchen and its’ open-ness to Dining & Living areas. In addition, task-oriented work at the L-shaped overhang may suffer from inadequate light levels from the recessed or from the low-lumen output from the pendants. That could be resolved by adding 1-2 small recessed over the L You may want to visit 1000bulbs.com to get bulbs with higher lumens for the picture light (though I still believe this is not a best choice for light to all the display shelves). The Trulux COB under cab lighting will be great, no need for bonus features. **Q: Lighting Designer? Electrician?my light situation is a mess!** *(in Home Decorating)* We purchased this house a little over two years ago. I’m not sure what sort of professional I would need to help with this. This is the lighting situation in my front room, which is a living room ,dining room and our front entry. We also need lighting help going up the stairs. The current lights are a mixture of track lighting, a bad chandelier, and some old ceiling fans. They are all awful and have to go. Needs: Better, brighter lighting. I’m open to keeping one fan for airflow. I want to get rid of the track lighting, as you can see one doesn’t even have any lights on it it’s just a track🤷🏻‍♀️ We desperately need a better light over the dining table but I don’t know where to start with that. As it stands there is no lighting on the staircase, I think that’s what the empty track lighting strip was supposed to be for. This is definitely something that is needed. I’d like the style to play nicely with the style of the house which is a 1990 contemporary. The high ceilings are a bit of a challenge as far as accessing the light boxes. I would truly appreciate any and all constructive opinions and advice, thank you all so much!! A: The Dining chandelier is too small and at the wrong height. The fans are too small and in-effectual at the existing height. You might be able to add 1-2 wall sconces to help light the stairs themselves. Tall spaces in a home want/need light at different levels - e.g. uplighting might be used to bounce light off the ceiling to prevent that from being a dark void and to create some ambient light, while lower fixtures will provide task light, and aome accent lights can be used to light art / architecture to create interest & contrast in the space. To get ideas on actual fixtures you need to offer style clues so commenters can offer constructive targetted solutions for you to consider. Ideally you want to consult an experienced design professional to help you reach the best outcome. **Q: Looking for globe light bulbs for bathroom vanity light fixture** *(in Lighting)* I am having real trouble finding bulbs that match the criteria below. Can anyone help? \- G25 globe with medium base \- 60 W \- frosted (so the element inside is not visible) \- 100% glass (no plastic around the base) \- no pattern or logo stamped on the glass, just completely blank \- not daylight brightness (e.g. NOT GE Refresh) Thanks! A: Got to 1000bulbs.com and search for G25, perhaps that will help. **Q: Kitchen Island: Semi-flush mount vs Pendant?** *(in Design Dilemma)* Need opinions please :) have seen some pictures of semi-flush mount in kitchen. Does it make sense vs pendant lights in this kitchen? The cabinets are being painted and the countertop is being replaced in this kitchen. Pardon the mess. Thanks! A: I prefer pendants in designs where ceilings are high enough and you can find pendants or linear lighting fixtures that allow both uplighting for ambience and downlighting for tasks. Even better if there are separate dimmers for up and down lighting. Post a picture when your project is complete. Good luck! **Q: Lights over bathroom vanity** *(in Lighting)* Hi! I am remodeling the vanity area in my bathroom -- new 60 inch walnut vanity, double sinks, one large mirror, and lights. Question -- which will look better -- (2) 2-light fixtures (15 inches) or (2) 3-light fixtures (23 inches)? Thanks! A: There is really not yet enough detail / context to offer an opinion. What is the ceiling height? What is the relationship of the new vanity & mirror to surrounding walls (a sketch layout / floorplan is always helpful when asking for opinions)? Since you have the dimensions of fixtures, perhaps post images of those so houzzers can see the bulbs/shades that you’re choosing from. Material choices and p aint colors can also be considered when attempting to get the lighting right. Please give us more to work with! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-11.*