When my Philips Hue bulb’s Tropical Twilight setting turned on, I was transported to the vacation that I didn’t know I needed. The contrast between the deep blue, sunset sky outside and the sweet, sherbet-colored lighting in my room looked like a scene from an A24 film, one that won multiple awards in the “Best Cinematography” category. Who knew that a simple light setting could completely transform a space?

It was a dark, cold, and dreary winter night in New York. Nowhere near the tropics, or any sort of warmth for that matter. From the months of November through February, most days are that way in the “Yonks.” In control of my own environment (my bedroom), I had it reflect what I need — in this case it was warmth, beauty, and brightness.