Michael uses a combination of technical knowledge, creativity, and curiosity to explore how assemblages of materials such as glass, acrylic, metal and crystal can be combined with the latest technological applications of light to become more than an ordinary fixture. They become works of art.
Biography
Early Career
Michael Sestak began his career in the culinary art with a specialization in imaginative pastry creations. He studied at the San Francisco City College Culinary Arts Program and apprenticed in the acclaimed Fairmont Hotel while only 18 years old. While at the Fairmont he designed and made spectacular pastry showpieces for the Rolling Stones, Ella Fitzgerald, and Cartier to name a few.
Michael moved to Sacramento in 1986 to serve as pastry chef for the new Hyatt at Capital Park. Subsequently, he further developed his skills in the pastry art form at Mace’s, Biba’s, and Ettore’s European Bakery.
Transition to Custom Lighting
In 2000, his lifelong fascination with light in its various forms compelled him to transition from pastry chef to the world of residential and commercial lighting design.
After acquiring his California Contractors C-10 license and developing his technical knowledge base through courses sponsored by SMUD and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, he opened his Sacramento-based business Sestak Lighting Design. He began serving high-profile clients in the Sacramento area, such as Mark Friedman, Michael Lyon, Lina and Ken Fat, Jeanne Reaves, Cecilia Delury and Vince Jacobs, all of whom expressed a desire to make high-quality lighting a predominant feature in their homes.
As clients such as these began to express interest in unique and one-of-a-kind showpieces, the concept of commissioned lighting sculptures evolved.
The decision to use our services should be thought of as an investment to assure that the substantial construction dollars spent on lighting and controls in a project will be spent as effectively as possible. Too often people spend a great deal of money on interior décor and fine art or on beautiful exterior landscaping only to approach lighting as an after thought. This often leads to inexpensive lighting solutions that fail to give the desired outcome or fail to meet energy conservation objectives. We create solutions that work.