Lightwaves; A Deep Dive into Lighting with a Side of Design

In this episode, we dive deep with Jan about some of her previous projects, the challenges of changing ladscapes, color temperature of landscape lightingto to achieve desired results and what to avoid in planning landscape lighting. We are excited to get Jan to weigh in on the questions and issues with landscape lighting projects-oh, and we have some pics from her latest book, THE ART OF LANDSCAPE LIGHTING by Jan Lennnox Moyer

Join us for a discussion with esteemed landscape lighting superstar, Jan Lennox Moyer. Jan's CV is massive, yet she is the one of the most approachable and persoal professionals we've met. We get into the dirt, talking about Jan's past projects and her books. Jan takes us through the anatomy of writing this kind of book, and all the challenges along the way. We have a frank discussion about LEDs in landscape, and we find out how Jan rerally feels about this technology. Join us for part 1 of our discussion. Below in Jan's bio. Janet Lennox Moyer, IALD, internationally known lighting designer has received many design awards, judged lighting competitions, been published extensively & taught all over the world since serving as teaching assistant for her undergraduate lighting course at MSU. Jan taught landscape lighting at UC Berkeley and Rutgers University in the Landscape Continuing Education departments during the 1980-1990s. Ms. Moyer’s practice included interior, commercial/residential lighting. Her emphasis shifted to landscape lighting in 1983. Projects include landscape lighting of Levi Plaza,SF, the Detroit Civic Center, Pierce Transit, Tacoma, Washington incorporating a 200 foot long ‘Waterwall’; interior lighting at the Skywalker Ranch, a palace in Abu Dhabi; interior/landscape lighting at the Far Niente Winery, a resort in Safaga, Egypt; several areas of the Chicago Botanic Gardens & the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, Wisconsin, a Palm Arboretum and Conservatory in Northern California, Special residential properties across the nation. Jan is the author of the internationally acclaimed The Landscape Lighting Book, originally published in 1992 by John Wiley and Sons, now in its 3rd edition with expanded information on documentation, garden evolution, an extensive drawing appendix, and how the disruptive technology LED changes landscape lighting and how to plan for the future. Jan’s new book, The Art of Landscape Lighting, released April 8, 2022, with over 800 color photos/detail drawings, explains Jan’s thinking/planning to respond to project needs and challenges covering her 45 years of design. In 2010, Jan Founded the International Landscape Lighting Institute, an educational 501(c)(3) Public Charity that holds 5-day, 5-night intensive courses. Each day includes morning lectures, afternoon workshop sessions, and evening mockups. ILLI teams have designed and installed five permanent landscape lighting exhibitions in the USA and Tokamachi, Japan. With Michelle Mueller, Jan recorded 20 instructional videos called Learn Night Light, available online through the IES website. Jan is committed to sharing her knowledge and striving to raise the bar for the landscape lighting industry.

Spring is here! So, in this episode, we ease everyone into landscape lighting with the basics. Landscape lighting is a very important aspect of lighting a space for so many reasons. It's our introduction to a property. it offers security and safety; a way to navigate changes in terrain and elevations. This is just scratching the surface of this very impactful and complex lighting category. for our next 2 modules, we have a very special guest who is the authority on landscape lighting so stay tuned!

Shelley and Melissa recap the emerging lighting trends for 2023. We talk natural materials, organics, and organic shapes in lighting. Sustainability emerged as a strong trend, with alabaster, glass, capiz shell and leather appearing, sometimes in one fixture! Statement, focal point, and sculptural lighting was everywhere; we lighting people love to see the celebration of lighting as art. We talk mixed metals, which is making a comeback, and Art Deco re-emerging as a shape/style trend. We wrap it up with layers of light and discuss the enthusiasm around creating layers of light, mixing traditional, transitional and technological lighting in one space. 2023 is truly the year of celebration of lighting and we are right there with the Champagne!

Lighting is just as important when designing Multi-family housing, Student Living and Senior Living NO MATTER where you live. Tim Schelfe with BSB Design sheds some "Light" on his process when designing these projects around the US. We dive into ASID, the importance of associations, community design and the differences in project process around the country. Tim shares his expertise in how to approach and scale for these large projects and the importance of education and resources (lighting sales representatives) in making these projects successful.

Melissa sat down with Lisa McDennon at the Highpoint Market in October to discuss Interior Design, Lisa's Lighting Design process for Hinkley, and much more. Find out how Lisa got where she is, how she designs a light from concept to customer, and hear how she finds inspiration for interior design and lighting design. We talk inspirational trips, lightbulbs and how they affect design and color, and what's happening in LED technology. You don't want to miss this deep dive into lighting and design from this esteemed designer. You can follow Lisa McDennon at @lisamcdennon in IG and visit her retail showroom in Laguna Beach, CA

Today we tackle Integrated LED in decorative lighting. Sooo many questions: Are they worth the money? What happens if the LED stops working? Shelley and Melissa has it out and add a side of design in discusing this new-ish technology in decorative lighting. Should you consider an integrated LED chandelier? Join us and find out!

How important is lighting in the design process? It's EVERYTHING, according to our guest interior designer Elizabeth Lake from Elizabeth Lake Interiors in Sacramento. Elizabeth draws from her extensive experience working in lighting for over 10 years with a tech and design forward company to explain how lighting is her lead inspiration for her design projects. We get answers to some of our burning questions! What's next in design trends, where does lighting figure into the process, is the West Coast really ahead of the East Coast in design trends, and, finally-2700 or 3000 Kelvin? (For more on Kelvins, please check out or podcast on Kelvin Temperatures explained)

Kelvins…don’t panic; this is not high school chemistry!…. Today, we are discussing the burning lighting question; 2700 Kelvin or 3000 Kelvin temperature? Shelley and Melissa get into the history and psychology of lighting color temperature. This episode tackles reasons why you’d choose one color temperature over the other. The debate is on, and you can learn which color temperature you’re more drawn to in order to help you nail the best lighting for your space.

Ceiling Fans; almost everybody has or has had one, but what exactly do they do, and how do you know if yours is doing its job? This episode, we direct the ceiling fan and explain what they do, how they cool or heat your space, or is that just a perception. We discuss their merit as a design feature, whether they should light the space as well, and pay our respects to this beloved and often beguiling home appliance.

Lightbulbs: We use them everyday, but we don't think much about them until we are literally in the dark. Which kind do you need? What kind of socket is your light? Have you ever brought home a box of them only to find out they don't fit into the sockets of your lights? Or they are a weird color or colors and each one is a different shade of white? In this Episode, we discuss the different types of lightbulbs including LEDs, socket, and what the letter assigned to different bulbs means. Join us for this journey into the anatomy of the lightbulb.

Our podcast will give you insight into tips, tricks, and ideas from experts in the field of lighting and design, as well as explain how to create stunning lighting and innovation in various contexts.