JKM Lighting Design, recently awarded Best Luxury Lighting Design Studio in Florida, USA by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, has been making waves in the high-end design world. In this exclusive interview, Alexander Chetchikov, President of World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, sits down with JKM Lighting Design founder and principal designer, Justin Keenan Miller, to discuss the company’s achievements, insights into luxury, and the evolving world of architectural lighting.

Alexander Chetchikov: Justin, congratulations on your win as Best Luxury Lighting Design Studio in Florida, USA. How does this recognition inspire your team moving forward?

Justin Keenan Miller: Thank you, Alexander. This award is an incredible honor and a reflection of the passion and dedication my team puts into every project. For us, it’s a reminder to keep pushing boundaries—technically, artistically, and experientially. It reinforces our belief that lighting is more than illumination; it’s storytelling. This recognition motivates us to raise the bar even higher and continue shaping projects that leave a lasting impact.

AC: How do you define luxury in the context of architectural lighting today?

JKM: Luxury today is about precision, personalization, and emotion. It’s not just about using the most advanced fixtures or materials—it’s about curating an atmosphere that resonates with how people want to live, work, and feel in a space. True luxury lighting is seamless, immersive, and elevates the architecture and interior design without ever overshadowing it.

AC: Can you share an example of a project where lighting transformed a space into a high-end experience?

JKM: One of my favorite examples is Sugar Champagne Bar in Sarasota. The vision for the space was to create a glamorous and indulgent environment where every guest feels transported the moment they step inside. Lighting became the key ingredient in achieving that. We layered soft ambient glows with dramatic accent lighting to highlight textures, reflective surfaces, and architectural details. The champagne displays themselves were treated almost like jewelry cases—subtly illuminated so each bottle sparkles. The result is a space that feels sophisticated, intimate, and theatrical, where the lighting doesn’t just reveal the design—it elevates it into an unforgettable high-end experience.

AC: How does JKM Lighting Design ensure every client receives a truly luxury-focused solution?

JKM: We approach each project as a collaboration. We listen closely to our clients’ vision and combine that with a deep understanding of the architecture and interior design. Every design is bespoke—we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. From the initial concept to on-site aiming, our process ensures precision at every stage. Ultimately, it’s about creating an experience that feels tailored, timeless, and effortless.

AC: In your view, what emerging trends are shaping luxury lighting design over the next five years?

JKM: One of the strongest trends is the move toward dynamic environments—lighting that adapts throughout the day with tunable white, color-changing, and circadian-responsive systems. This isn’t just about technology for its own sake—it’s about creating spaces that feel alive, shifting naturally with mood, activity, and time of day. At the same time, as our clients become increasingly global, we’re seeing more demand for bespoke fixtures and custom solutions that give each project a unique identity. Ultimately, luxury is being redefined—it’s less about the fixture itself and more about how personalized, effortless, and immersive the lighting experience feels.

AC: From a technical perspective, what are the key challenges when designing lighting for high-end residences versus commercial spaces?

JKM: Residences demand micro-level precision—that is delicate and subtle as our clients live with the lighting upclose everyday. The process is also a bit more intensive as we become part of the family- discussing how they live, what excites them, and what is important to them. Residential lighting requires a delicate and subtle precision, as our clients interact with it intimately every day. This process is more intensive, as we integrate into the family, discussing their lifestyle, passions, and priorities.

(beam spreads, warm-dim performance, flawless dimming curves, and perfect color consistency all matter because the homeowner experiences them up close every day. )

Commercial projects introduce challenges of scale: higher ceilings, larger fixture counts, heavier loads, and extended hours of operation. They are also much quicker and budget driven – so decisions need to made quicker and cost conscious. With commercial projects we also can push the boundaries of design a bit further as it is a space that needs to make a lasting impression in a short period of time. 

(Here, we’re focused on load balancing, voltage drop, and ensuring consistent color rendering across hundreds of fixtures.)

In both cases, the goal is effortless luxury—but residential design is about intimacy, while commercial work is about delivering that same refinement reliably at scale with a louder wow factor.

AC: How has your background in theatrical lighting influenced your approach to architectural projects?

JKM: My theatrical background taught me that light is the ultimate storyteller. In theater, every cue is intentional—it directs focus, sets mood, and shapes emotion. I carry that philosophy into architecture. Whether it’s a residence or a commercial landmark, we design the lighting as if it’s a performance, orchestrating layers, contrast, and rhythm to create spaces that move people.

AC: What strategies do you use to integrate sustainable and energy-efficient solutions without compromising visual impact?

JKM: Sustainability is a priority for many of our clients, and fortunately, technology has advanced to where efficiency and luxury are no longer at odds. We specify high-performance fixtures, leverage controls to optimize usage, and design with natural daylight in mind. The key is understanding how to use these tools artfully—so the end result still feels indulgent, not utilitarian.

AC: Could you share advice for aspiring lighting designers aiming to work on luxury projects worldwide?

JKM: My advice is to master both the art and the science of lighting. Luxury clients expect flawless execution—so technical precision is non-negotiable. But equally important is the ability to listen, to interpret vision, and to create something truly unique. Travel, study architecture, and observe how light transforms spaces at different times of day. And above all, approach every project with humility and curiosity—because great design is always a dialogue.

We sincerely thank Justin Keenan Miller for sharing his expertise and insights in this exclusive Interview. 

To explore JKM Lighting Design’s award-winning projects, visit: https://www.jkmlightingdesign.com/.