Lighting insights from Comma Projects’ Creative Director, Jenn

In the sun-drenched enclave of Palm Beach, Queensland, a new project by Comma Projects is taking shape — one that promises to embody timeless elegance and effortless liveability.

Zoei, currently under construction, is set to become a standout in the coastal design landscape — blending Belgian-inspired minimalism with a warm, textural sensibility.

We caught up with Jenn, Creative Director at Comma Projects, to explore the inspiration behind Zoei, and to learn how lighting is playing an integral role in bringing this sophisticated vision to life. 

The Design Inspiration

"It started with Belgian interiors — that beautiful balance of minimalism and simplicity, without ever feeling cold or lifeless," shares Jenn. "I was drawn to how they use a neutral palette layered with texture to create depth and warmth. There’s an elegance to it, but also a sense of ease."

True to Comma’s signature approach, Zoei also embraces modernity — introducing contemporary brickwork and materials that speak to coastal Australian life, while ensuring the home will feel timeless for years to come.

Lighting as a Design Pillar

When asked what surprised her most about the lighting process, Jenn was candid: "Just how much pre-planning it needs! I didn’t expect how many conversations would happen well before anything’s built. Some fittings needed to be locked in during framing or earlier to make it all work with the structure."

Lighting at Zoei has been conceived as more than functional — it’s a vital layer of the home’s mood and architectural expression.

"I didn’t want to default to just downlights. I wanted to highlight the architectural and interior features — it’s like another layer of bringing depth out of the design."

Bringing the Outdoors to Life

One of Jenn’s biggest lighting moments? The outdoor spaces.

"I really wanted to give the outdoors a moment — having proper outdoor lighting in a residential home feels like such a luxury. Uplighting feature trees, some fun skyballs... it brings that resort vibe to everyday life."

And inside, it’s the LED strip lighting around the wine room that has her most excited: "The team spent so many hours getting those details right."

Learnings & Advice

As Zoei progresses, Jenn reflects on the importance of cohesion in lighting design: "All the lighting in one space needs to work together — not just aesthetically, but in terms of lighting output and how the layers interact. It’s not just about picking pretty fittings."

For anyone starting their own lighting journey, her advice is simple: "Talk to a lighting designer early, even just to unpack how you want each space to feel. You don’t need to know all the technical stuff — but getting clarity on the mood you’re after helps shape everything else."

As Zoei moves closer to completion, it’s clear that this home will be as much about atmosphere as it is about architecture. Through intentional lighting and inspired design, Comma Projects is once again setting a new standard for how residential spaces can look — and more importantly — feel.