Lighting Expert Sally Storey on the Magic of Light: Practical Tips, Insights & Big Ideas
Description
🌟 Sally’s Story – Curiosity-led journey into lighting design
💡 Innovation – Pioneering smarter, smaller lighting products
🛠️ Tips – Simple ways to improve your home lighting
🏛️ Impact – How light transforms spaces and mood
🔬 Insights – Industry trends + the science behind good lighting
Sally Storey is an icon in architectural lighting design and a true pioneer in the field. She’s the Founding Director of Lighting Design International and Creative Director at John Cullen Lighting.Her book Inspired by Light: A Design Guide to Transforming the Home shares her timeless approach to lighting.Sally has lit homes across the globe — including for David Bowie — and designed standout spaces at The Berkeley, Claridge’s, Harrods, and more.
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Lighting is emotional — it directly affects how we feel in a space, not just how it looks.
Color temperature matters — most “warm” LEDs sold are still too cold; aim for 2200–2400K for a cozy feel.
Quality over quantity — high CRI (Color Rendering Index) lighting above 95% makes people and interiors look more alive.
Layered lighting is essential — combine different light sources (ambient, task, accent) for depth and flexibility.
You don’t need a big budget — simple changes like better bulbs, floor uplights, and removing overhead pendants can dramatically improve your space.
Lighting legend meets life’s big and little questions.
🌞 3 Things That Bring Joy→ Natural light→ Food & taste→ Texture
💠A Mantra to Live By→ “Live for the moment.”
📚 Underrated Inspiration→ Alvar Aalto – Finnish architect who sparked her journey
🎓 Something She Wants to Learn More About→ “Everything.”
💪 How She Handles Disappointment→ “Just solve it. If no one died, it’s not the end of the world.”
🧳 Bucket List Add-On→ More holidays. Everywhere.
🧠Advice to Her Younger Self→ “Don’t worry so much.”
🌍 One Thing She’d Change in the World→ Better communication — people need to really listen.
🎵 Iconic Moment→ David Bowie invited her to sit on his couch and review his new album after lighting his NYC apartment.
Mentions:Â
🔦 Useful Takeaways from the Episode
🔥 QUICK-FIRE WITH SALLY STOREY
Sally Storey, Arthur, John Cullen, David Bowie, Brian Johnson,Lighting Design International, John Cullen Lighting, RIBA, BBC, ERCO Lighting, Concord Lighting, Brigade, IKEA,The Berkeley, The Connaught , Harrods, Four Seasons George V, Hotel Hermitage, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, The Savoy, Lords Cricket Ground, Kings Road, Smith Street, ,New York City, Bristol University, London, Kazakhstan,Alvar Aalto