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We often mistake minimalism for emptiness. However, true minimalism is about presence. When we strip away the superfluous - such as unnecessary adornments and complex shapes - what remains gains a new relevance.


A BOAH NOVA lampshade isn't meant to be the loud protagonist of a room; it is meant to be an anchor of serenity. When designing pieces like the EXAS or ISON, our goal is clarity. We want the user to see the honesty in the object: the texture of the wood, the purity of the lines, and the way light interacts with the material. Owning fewer objects allows each one to have the space to "breathe." A home shouldn't be a warehouse for things.

 

Resilience through longevity

The most radical form of sustainability isn't recycling; it is permanence. In today’s fast-decor landscape, where objects are designed to last only a season, choosing a standard like the E27 socket (patented in 1881) is an act of rebellion.


It might seem paradoxical for a contemporary brand to lean on a century-old standard. However, it is this universality that also ensures your lamp will never become obsolete. By avoiding proprietary technology or integrated LEDs that cannot be replaced, we are giving you the freedom to keep the same object for many years. Because owning less means taking better care of what we have, ensuring that today’s design remains functional and relevant in tomorrow’s home.

 

Biophilia: well-being through materiality

Minimalism at BOAH NOVA is also sensory. We spend much of our lives surrounded by synthetic surfaces and cold lights that disconnect us from the natural world. By choosing wood with water-based finishes, we are bringing nature indoors in an honest way. Wood is a "living" material; it ages gracefully, gaining a patina that reflects the passage of time in your home. This biophilic connection - using natural elements to reduce stress and increase mental clarity - is what transforms a house into a home. The light that passes through our wooden slats isn't just illumination; it’s an atmosphere that invites rest and reflection.

 

A commitment to the natural cycle

For us, less consumption means more awareness. Our one lamp, one tree initiative isn’t a patch for our ecological footprint; it is an integral part of our products' life cycle. By using wood from responsibly managed forests, we are borrowing from the earth to create something that adds value to your spaces. Returning that resource to the forest is our way of ensuring that minimalism isn't just an aesthetic, but an ethic of respect for the planet's balance.


The next time you consider adding something to your home, pause. Ask yourself if that object brings clarity or just noise. If it can be repaired, or if it will be replaced in two years.


At BOAH NOVA, we believe true sophistication lies in the ability to choose the essential. No excess, no distractions. Just the wood, the light, and the silence needed to finally feel at home.

Updated: Jan 17

Choosing the right lampshades can be a challenge. Will the wood tone match your shelves? Is the scale right for your bedside table? At Boah Nova, we want to remove the guesswork and make your design journey as sustainable and seamless as possible.


What exactly is a Product AR File?

Think of an Augmented Reality (AR) file as a "digital twin" of our handcrafted lamps. It is a highly detailed 3D model that exists in your smartphone.

Unlike a standard photo, which only shows you the lamp, an AR file uses your phone’s camera to "place" the lamp directly into your room. It respects the actual size and proportions of the piece, allowing you to see how the light interacts with your furniture, wall colors, and existing decor.


How to use AR to visualize your space

You don’t need to download any complicated apps or have technical expertise. If you have a smartphone, you already have everything you need.

  1. Browse our collection: open the product page of a lampshade you love on our website using your phone’s browser.

  2. Look for the AR information: on most of our product pages, you will see a button to "View in your space".

  3. Scan your Room: point your camera at the floor or the surface where you want to place the lamp and move it slightly.

  4. Position and Rotate: the digital lamp will appear on your screen! You can move it around with your finger, rotate it to see every angle of the wood grain, and walk around it as if it were really there.


Try it now with these examples:

 

Boah Renova: sustainability through design

Augmented Reality is at the core of the service Boah Renova. We follow a philosophy of Interchangeability and Repairability. We know that many people already have lamp bases they love, or perhaps an old fixture that simply needs a breath of new life. Boah Renova is our dedicated service that allows you to upgrade, refresh, or "renovate" your existing lighting using our handcrafted wooden lampshades. Because our shades are designed for the global E26/E27 socket standard, they can be easily swapped onto bases you already own.


The service Boah Renova allows you to:

  • Reduce Waste: give a second life to your current lamp bases instead of buying entirely new fixtures.

  • Design with confidence: see exactly how new wooden textures will transform the mood of your spaces before making a purchase.

  • Lower carbon footprint: by making the right choice the first time through AR visualization, we reduce the need for returns and the environmental impact of shipping.

 

Why visualization matters

Lighting is the most atmospheric element of interior design. Our lampshades, handcrafted from wood and finished with eco-friendly water-based varnishes, are built to last a lifetime.

We believe that technology should serve nature. By using Augmented Reality to help you choose the perfect lighting pieces, we are working together to create spaces that are beautiful, and respectful of the planet.

 

Lighting is far more than a functional necessity; it is the soul of a home, capable of shaping our mood, defining spaces, and completely transforming an environment's atmosphere. At Boah Nova, we believe that light is essential for well-being and that a well-lit home is the first step toward a more balanced and sustainable life.

In this guide, we explore the fundamentals of lighting in a simple, practical way so you can create the perfect setting for every moment.

 

The three layers of light: the secret to balance

To achieve professional and welcoming illumination, you should never rely on a single light source in the center of the ceiling. The secret lies in layering:

  • Ambient lighting: this is your foundation. It provides uniform, soft illumination across the entire space, allowing for safe movement and basic activities. Ceiling fixtures and pendants are the primary examples.

  • Task lighting: as the name suggests, this helps you perform specific tasks that require focus, such as reading, cooking, or working. It should be brighter and directed to reduce eye strain. desk lamps or led strips under kitchen cabinets are ideal.

  • Accent lighting: This is the "finishing touch" used to highlight architectural details, artwork, or favorite furniture pieces, creating depth and drama in the room.

 

Understanding "Temperature" and "Intensity"

Brightness and color are often confused, but they are distinct concepts that drastically change how a room is perceived:

  • Color temperature (Kelvin): measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Lower numbers (1800K–3000K) emit a warm, amber light, perfect for relaxing and stimulating melatonin production before sleep. Higher numbers (4000K–6000K) emit a cool, crisp light that keeps us alert and productive.

  • Brightness (Lumens): forget Watts, which only measure energy consumption. The actual brightness of a bulb is measured in Lumens. The higher the lumens, the more intense the light.

Use warm lights in the living room and bedrooms for maximum comfort, and reserve neutral or cool lights for the kitchen, offices, and bathrooms.

 

Room-by-Room Guide

Each space in your home has unique needs. Here is how to coordinate your light points:

  • Living Room: a place for socializing and relaxation. Start with a ceiling light for general brightness, but add floor lamps in dark corners to create volume. If you enjoy watching TV, avoid lights that cause screen reflections and opt for soft, indirect lighting behind or beside the sofa.

  • Kitchen: visibility is the priority here. Combine powerful ceiling lights with focused lighting on worktops to eliminate shadows while prepping food.

  • Dining Room: the suspension lamp over the table is the protagonist. It should be hung approximately 75–90 cm above the table surface to illuminate dishes well without glaring at guests.

  • Bedroom: avoid harsh ceiling lights upon waking. Use bedside lamps with warm light. If you have a wardrobe, consider a light directed specifically toward the doors to make choosing clothes easier without disturbing someone still sleeping.

 

The Boah Nova Philosophy: simplicity and sustainability

At Boah Nova, we believe lighting design must respect the environment. We follow principles that make your choice more conscious:

  • Universality with E26/E27 Sockets: all our lampshades use the global E26/E27 standard. This ensures you can easily replace bulbs and take advantage of constant innovations in led energy efficiency without needing to change your entire lamp.

  • Longevity and Repairability: we create pieces built to last for decades, using intuitive assembly systems that allow for simple component replacement, preventing waste.

  • Responsible Materials: we use only wood in our lampshades and water-based finishes, ensuring the beauty of your lamp does not compromise the air quality of your home or the health of the planet.

 

Lighting a home well is about finding the perfect balance between aesthetics and function. By choosing timeless, sustainable, and high-quality pieces, you are investing not just in decor, but in your daily quality of life.

© 2026 Boah Nova, Portugal
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