On the west side of Jeju Island, there’s a tennis villa that instantly brings Spain to mind. You can find Buenadumo, a special stay offered through Selectionist, where the delicate tastes and unique aesthetic of the host couple come to life. Every corner of the space reflects their thoughtful choices, and today, we’d like to share the behind-the-scenes story of one key element that warmly lights up Buenadumo—its lighting.

After moving to Jeju, the couple dreamed of building a villa with a tennis court. They personally designed everything from the exterior walls to the smallest decorations. The red-toned building paired with the bright red tennis court naturally evokes the feel of Spain. As you step inside the entrance, you're greeted by the living room. Instead of a fireplace, candlelight glows softly, and design books and objects throughout the space enhance its exotic ambiance. But what catches your eye the most is the geometric main light fixture in the living room.

ISAMU NOGUCHI - AKARI

“When we had to choose the lighting, this was the first one that came to mind—thanks to my wife’s taste.”

We were curious why they chose this particular shape from among Isamu Noguchi’s lighting designs. Since the building is a clean-cut rectangular shape with regularly arranged rectangular windows, the repeated angular shapes could make the space feel too rigid. To offset that, they chose a dimensional, geometric fixture. Considering it’s a stay where many people come and go, placing a large paper light within arm’s reach might seem like a bold move. But thanks to that decision, the living room's exotic mood feels complete.

The living room also features high-end speakers from the British brand Tannoy and a TEAK turntable, allowing guests to enjoy curated vinyl records.

Behind the sofa lies a bold, colorful kitchen that looks like it could make any dish taste delicious. While it seems like the space was already so well-designed that choosing lighting would have been easy, the couple actually said they spent the most time debating the kitchen lights.

HAY - Apollo Chandelier

“Since the kitchen is the most vibrant and weighty space, we spent a long time wondering what kind of lighting would suit the marble. Should we go classic? Choose an iconic pendant? Maybe something small and simple since the marble already stands out? Or… maybe no lighting at all? Then suddenly, my husband said, ‘Isn't this chandelier cute?’ and showed it to me.”

At first, they weren’t sure whether the cute design would match the bold kitchen, but the large size and chandelier form added a sense of weight, while the combination of aluminum and opal glass helped balance the space beautifully.

Normann Copenhagen - Rise Wall Lamp

“After choosing the chandelier, we had to decide on the wall light too. Since the HAY chandelier was made of aluminum, we thought a stainless steel fixture would go well with it.”

The Normann Copenhagen wall lamp the couple chose is made from both stainless steel and wood, adding a softness to its cool tone. The contrast between materials ends up making the space feel even more refined. The warm lighting makes time spent cooking in the Buenadumo kitchen even more special. The couple has thoughtfully prepared a variety of cooking tools and basic ingredients so guests can enjoy cooking during their stay.

Astro - Veo Wall Lamp

“The wall spaces between the windows were quite wide, so from the beginning, we wanted to place lights between them. Since the kitchen lights have a solid, grounded feel, we wanted something softer and more integrated with the wall for the living room.”

The couple chose Astro lights, inspired by neoclassical architecture, to give the space the feel of a hotel corridor. Because of the Spanish aesthetic throughout, there was a risk that finishes could come across as rough—but these lights placed between the windows naturally elevate the elegance of the room.

Audo Copenhagen - Torso Portable Table Lamp

The bedroom design followed the couple’s firm vision, which meant their lighting options were more limited.

“We wanted the bedroom to feel classic. Like a hotel—simple, with an artwork above the center of the bed, matching bedside tables and lamps, a mint-colored bed frame, red marble side tables, and terracotta tiles. All that needed a strong visual weight.”

Audo Copenhagen was already a beloved brand of the couple, and they had long admired the Torso lamp, making the choice an easy one. The size fit perfectly, the classic shape worked well, and the glossy black color added the right sense of weight. With only essential furniture like the bed, vanity, and wardrobe, the bedroom is designed to focus purely on rest. Above the vanity, a wall light is placed just out of sight unless you look up.

HAY - Apollo Wall Sconce

“We thought the bedroom was already visually full, so we wanted a simple wall light above the vanity. Then my husband suggested, ‘HAY has a wall version of the chandelier we used in the kitchen.’ I agreed immediately!”

The vanity light is from the Apollo series, a collaboration between HAY and Copenhagen-based design studio 0405. It matches the kitchen chandelier, and although its high placement might make it easy to miss, it adds both cohesion and character to the space.

To the left of the bedroom is a spacious bathroom. Instead of a mirror above the sink, a large window lets in soft Jeju sunlight to start the day. Tangerine-colored tiles are playfully arranged, and there’s a bathtub where you can enjoy a soak while gazing up at the skylight. The couple chose the American Standard Heritage three-hole faucet—a traditional European hotel-style fixture.

Astro - Arezzo Wall Lamp

When choosing the bathroom wall light, the couple focused on finding something that would pair well with the faucet.

“Since the faucet has a classic look, we wanted the light to feel like something you'd see in a hotel. But if it was too big, we worried it might draw attention away from the view outside—so we went with something small and subtle.”

Astro, the brand we saw earlier in the living room, is used throughout the house. Originally built for hotels, residences, and cruise ships, Astro has grown into a brand specializing in hospitality lighting—perfect for the hotel-like atmosphere the couple envisioned.

Astro - Montparnasse Wall Lamp

Even the exterior wall lights are by Astro, giving the entire property a classic and consistent feel.

Each lighting fixture in Buenadumo holds a story that goes beyond function. These carefully chosen pieces illuminate the space while also revealing the couple’s tastes and lifestyle—turning a simple stay into a full-bodied experience.

Buenadumo is a uniquely charming place where you can indirectly experience the refined taste of its hosts. And if you ever find yourself staying there, you’ll surely feel the warm, thoughtful spirit that went into every lighting decision.