Lessons from Athens: How Eleftheria Deko Redefined Lighting Design

A couple of weeks ago, Lindsay and I flew to Europe—part vacation, part work trip.
Our destination? The Sterling Summit in Athens, hosted by Sterling Lighting.

And let me tell you—it was epic.

They brought in Eleftheria Deko, one of the world’s most extraordinary lighting designers. She’s the creative mind behind the Athens Olympics, the Acropolis, and even the Temple of Poseidon. So yeah… she’s kind of a big deal.

Watching her and her team work was inspiring—on another level entirely. I’ve attended and hosted countless lighting events over the years, but this one? It might’ve dethroned me as the “lighting event king.” (Still stings a little 😅)

But more importantly, I walked away with a few powerful lessons—ones every lighting professional and business owner should hear.

💡 1. Think Like a Designer, Not Just a Contractor

Eleftheria doesn’t just install lights—she designs experiences.
Her process involves days (sometimes weeks) of sketching, collaborating, and visualizing before touching a single fixture.

Meanwhile, many of us jump straight to, “The client’s got an $8k budget—let’s throw two uplights on that tree and call it a day.”

But what if we slowed down?
What if we gave ourselves room to think conceptually—to imagine what’s possible instead of what’s merely practical?

Even a little extra creative space could completely change the outcome of your design.

🚫 2. Learn to Say No

Eleftheria shared something powerful: she’s learned to say no.

If a client asks her to do something that doesn’t align with her artistic vision, she simply won’t do it.

That’s not arrogance—it’s integrity built over decades of world-class work.

It made me reflect:
What projects could you take on that might help you build a portfolio strong enough to say no more often?

Sometimes, a few strategic, lower-profit projects can position you for greater creative freedom later on.

🌈 3. Play with Light Levels and Color Temperatures

Her mastery of color temperature and light layering was stunning.
She treats light like a composer treats music—warm and cool tones, soft and intense layers, all harmonized with purpose.

You don’t need to go wild to get inspired. Try subtle tweaks:
Use 2700K in the landscape and 3000K on the architecture.

Small shifts can create massive emotional impact.

🛠️ 4. Don’t Let Inventory Limit Your Imagination

Most of us think, “What fixtures do I have on the truck?”
Eleftheria’s team thinks, “What’s the effect we want?”

Only then do they source—or even build—fixtures to achieve that vision.

Imagine designing first and sourcing second.
That’s how innovation happens.

⚡ 5. Surround Yourself with Passionate People

The energy in that room was unreal—dozens of lighting professionals from around the world, all passionate, curious, and eager to grow.

It reminded me why being in the room matters.

Events like Sterling Summit, Secrets Summit, or Light It Up Expo aren’t just about learning—they’re about connection and energy.

You leave recharged, confident, and ready to push creative boundaries.

✨ The Takeaway

I came home from Athens feeling inspired… and honestly, a little competitive.

So, huge congrats to the Sterling Lighting team—you absolutely crushed it.

As for me? I’m already scheming how to top Athens. (If anyone’s got a contact for the pyramids, call me. 😜)

Until then, here’s your challenge:
👉 Find one thing from this list you can implement this month.

Even a small shift in how you think, design, or collaborate could completely transform your work.

Keep Moving Forward,
– Ryan Lee

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