Consultation and Design · Washington
Lighting affects how you feel in a space.
It goes beyond the function of illumination — think evenly lit, shadowless desktops in an office — and becomes emotion and sensation: amber firelight, shadowed faces, spotlighted art.
Great lighting plans offer ambiance, control, and an element of surprise. Successful lighting provides the right balance of function and feeling to any space.
How do you want your spaces to feel?
Good lighting requires collaboration
Lighting is never the only part of a project, but it is always a very important part — and it is frequently overlooked. Every lighting plan starts with four considerations, and melding them provides the balance.
Architecture
The architecture always informs the design. Ideas grow out of the space itself, in any design style.
How you live
How a space will be used — the tasks, the activities — and the client's desires shape every decision.
Products & placement
Choosing the right fixtures and putting them in the right places is crucial to a plan that works.
Budget
Budget plays a role in every project. Wise, efficient advice delivers great value at any scale.
Strengths
- Deep knowledge of lighting products and controls — including new and emerging products, when to use them, why, and what they cost.
- Effective collaboration with all the parties involved in building and renovation, in all design styles.
- Wise and efficient advice, with excellent resources for every aspect of a project, including manufacture of custom fixtures.
- Up-to-date knowledge of energy-efficient and green lighting, with the inherent pros and cons.
- Seeing a project through to completion — in lighting, it's the finishing touches that make the result truly effective and special.
Who uses a lighting designer?
Architects
who appreciate a specialist's advice on products, layout, and design — or solutions for unique, difficult spaces.
Contractors
who want their clients to end up with effective, beautiful lighting in the projects they build.
Electricians
who understand that a good lighting plan extends beyond pulling the wires and requires deep product experience.
Interior designers
who want help accenting and developing the environments they are creating.
Home & business owners
who are looking for sound advice and great value while building out their project.
Gwen Demombynes
Moonbeam Lighting was launched in 2004 to fill the gap between large architecture and design firms with lighting designers on staff, and the smaller, independent architects, builders, and electricians who need help in the important arena of lighting.
Gwen's lighting career began in 1994, when she went to work for a local custom lighting manufacturer and fixture showroom intending to learn how to build fixtures. From there she went on to study lighting design and immerse herself in lighting products, their use, and their manufacture — eventually becoming a consultant developing lighting plans for residences and commercial projects.
"I view quality as the single most important aspect of my business. Working with Gwen has allowed my company to forge a relationship with a business whose quality is equal to that of my own… I have been so impressed with her designs that when it came time to remodel my basement, I asked Gwen to create one. And she did not disappoint."
Kind words
From homeowners, architects, builders, and designers.
"You are worth your weight in gold."
"The lights will be a major part of what makes this house special."
"You gave us a lighted home that makes us feel comfortable and joyful. It is everything we hoped for."
"Thank you Gwen. You are amazing! I have learned so much from working with you — an added value."
"I think your selections were right on the money. We couldn't be happier with the look of the finished product."
"The light fixtures you selected are fabulous!! The loggia will have such wonderful feeling… it is such an important element."
"You are a breath of fresh air in this project — calm, willing to take input graciously, and understanding of our wishes."
"I'll leave it to your capable hands, Gwen…"
Let's talk about your project
From a single room to a whole house, new construction to renovation — every project starts with a conversation.