Gathered Light – Sestak Residence

When the lighting designer is also the homeowner, every choice becomes personal. For his own residence, Michael Sestak treated the property as an ongoing canvas. Its centerpiece is a one-of-a-kind dining room chandelier he built by hand, suspending a collection of glass ornaments and medallions, some gifted to him over the years, others curated piece by piece, from a sculptural branch armature so each one catches and scatters the light. Outdoors, the artistry continues. Catenary string lights arc in a sweeping canopy over the patio, color-changing in-ground fixtures trace the pathways and seating areas, and soft uplighting reveals mature trees, ferns, and Japanese maples. A spotlit stone water feature and a serene Buddha-head fountain anchor quiet corners, while glowing decorative orbs add playful bursts of color. The result is part gallery, part sanctuary, and wholly personal.