Staci Ruiz Architectural Lighting Design

We recommend Staci wholeheartedly. She redid our entire apartment lighting and we couldn't be happier. Backstory: We live in a garden apartment in Brooklyn with very few windows and low ceilings. What's more, the windows we do have are mostly blocked by surrounding buildings and trees. Our previous harsh living room / kitchen recessed lights perpetually bothered my eyes, and the lights in our bedrooms were woefully dim. After some internet searches, we hired Staci for an initial consultation to get a sense of what she could offer in terms of lighting options. We were immediately impressed by her deep knowledge of lighting options as well as her attentiveness to our desires and budget. After the initial visit, Staci sent various options to solve our lighting problems. I must say, she had an amazing ability to find beautiful, quality lights at our budget. Then, Staci brought us actual light fixtures with her go-to electrician to physically show us how various lights would look in our apartment -- overhead, sconces, ceiling fixtures, etc. Like, she literally showed up with tons of equipment so that we could actually experience the quality of the lights in-person before we committed. Staci listened to our desires and recommended options in line with our goals. We decided to move forward with her recommended lighting options and, again, couldn't be happier. We have new, dim-able, perfectly placed lighting and gorgeous fixtures. Everyone who has visited our apartment is enchanted by our new lights. More importantly, we have lighting that makes us genuinely happy. Staci was super responsive to all of our questions and concerns throughout the process. I usually don't bother to write reviews, but I feel compelled to spread the good word about Staci.

Staci helped to light up our NYC apartment. Her work was very impactful. We ended up with a lighting set up quite a bit different from what we would have come up on our own, and what we ended up doing is SOO much better. We also enjoyed working with her because she works very efficiently. I also appreciated her fee model - its a strict hourly rate (worth every penny) so you don't have to worry that she would be nudging you towards the most expensive lighting fixtures to earn some % commission, as is the case with so many other designers. Fully recommend. Lighting is so important!

I recently moved to a beautiful apartment with terrible lighting in a classic midcentury NYC building. I was excited to decorate but overwhelmed by the challenge of figuring out the lighting. Staci came to my rescue. She made beautiful and smart suggestions that worked around the building's limitations. The results are stunning. I'm very happy.

We have been working with Staci for couple of months trying to set a perfect lighting in our new apartment. She did a fantastic job, not only with accurate product selection, but also with several fixture exchanges and returns. Thank you for great ideas and patience. You are an amazing professional ,thank you for you time . Margaret and Greg

Working with Staci was a fantastic experience! Staci worked within my budget and style to transform my new apartment. She was incredibly responsive, both on the phone and via email, particularly during the height of COVID. I didn't even realize that I need architectural lighting design until I couldn't live without her!

We had recently redecorated our apartment and needed new lighting to complement and enhance the decor. We were worried the job was too small for her, but she treated us like VIPs. She listened carefully to our vision and then made it all happen. She made many suggestions, introducing us to lighting concepts that were perfect for us. Just as one example, she pointed out that our artwork was poorly illuminated, and made some simple changes to our lighting that produced a magical effect. Staci works with an incredibly good electrician, and their coordination to get things done was seamless. We had wandered through some lighting stores on our own and originally thought we would just do the job ourselves. But after seeing what a professional like Staci can do, we realize doing it on our own would have been a terrible mistake. We are thrilled with what Staci has done for us!

About 6 months ago the halogen art lighting system in our master bedroom suddenly stopped working. I initially thought the dimmer switch was the problem so I called our building’s go to electrician, one of the best in NYC. They determined that the dimmer was not the problem but could not actually offer a straightforward solution. There was much talk about replacing the very expensive system, rewiring, junction boxes opening ceilings and so forth. I then turned to the internet and contacted a lighting designer with pretty good reviews. His initial assessment sounded promising but ultimately he admitted he was baffled by our system and could not figure out a way forward. Back to the internet I went and I found Staci Ruiz. Her reviews were impressive but by this time I was a skeptic, to say the least! Staci visited our apartment and immediately diagnosed the problem and provided a simple straightforward solution. She arranged for her “A team” electrician to visit and confirm her diagnosis and solution. Staci and her electrician both expressed complete confidence that my problem would be solved and I would have a beautiful new LED art light system. I remained a skeptic. Long story short, we now have an absolutely perfect system, just the right “temperature” to highlight the art and perfectly light the room. I absolutely, positively recommend Staci for any and all lighting design issues anyone could have. She’s a delight to work with and a true professional.

I am a NY-based interior designer and began working with Staci Ruiz in 2019 and continue to involve her in nearly all of my projects, especially those that involve a renovation. Architectural lighting is such a specialized area of expertise, and in the past 10 years, the product offering seems to be ever-changing. It's extremely challenging for any designer or architect to keep up with the latest products. Staci knows her product offering inside and out and only specs fixtures that are quality. The last thing you'd want is to have a client call after the project wraps up and learn that a fixture failed! She brings a fresh perspective to each new project and offers creative solutions. In New York, I feel each apartment has its constraints. Low concrete slab ceiling in a post-war building? Large open floor loft with little natural light in the center? She works around these issues seamlessly. She gets clients excited about lighting with her product demos. She works efficiently with her time and collaborates with the team involved (designer, architect, contractor, electricians). And time and time again has proven resourceful to work within any budgetary constraints. I can honestly say that my projects look and feel better at the end because of Staci. Designers - get her involved in your next project!

Staci did a wonderful job on our project. Fifteen years after renovating our apartment, my wife and I decided it was time to fix the poor lighting we'd selected during the renovation. Our lighting situation had been bad but tolerable before COVID but was unsustainable with all of us working and doing school from home. Staci visited our apartment, bringing many many ideas, several sample fixtures, and a terrific electrician, and within days came up with a plan for lighting our main spaces. She worked with the electrician on planning and cost, and ensured the work was completed on schedule and beautifully (all, happily, while we were out of town). The difference in the apartment is amazing — it really looks terrific. I recommend her without hesitation. Great great work.

Staci is phenomenal to work with. She has thorough knowledge of the diverse options in architectural lighting, especially in the most up-to-date LED space that we are all moving towards. She knows the vendors and understands what the lights can and cannot do. She is willing to educate, but not overwhelm. We asked her to help us update the lighting throughout our 1500 sq ft brownstone condo, and I'll admit we started the project thinking we would need to just install a ton of recessed lights. Staci gave us recommendations that were so much better, highlighting our artwork and library bookshelves and giving my office space some much needed light at just the right color temperature. She also worked with us through all issues to make sure install went well. I recommend Staci highly - I'm sure I can't say that enough!

We have done a lot of renovations and repairs on our apartment, and no one has been as professional, efficient, friendly, fair, and frankly as amazing as Staci Ruiz. Her work on our apartment in NYC was brilliant. Her electricians were also very professional, prompt, and clean. All was COVID-friendly wearing masks, etc. I would highly recommend Staci Ruiz without reservation.

Staci’s artistry, expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail is extraordinary. Perhaps even more important, her kindness and generosity of spirit make it a total and complete pleasure to work with her! I met Staci in 2003 when I moved into a large loft space in Chelsea with my husband, complete with memorably awful track lighting. Not only was the space itself going to be difficult to design lighting for, the job was complicated even more by the fact that I am visually impaired and need very specific lighting in order to comfortably navigate a space. In other words, we wanted it to look great and also work for my special needs. Staci was a breath of fresh air from the moment we met. She was confident she could design the perfect lighting, knew what fixtures would work, and translated our needs and anxiety into an amazing outcome! Throughout the years we have continued to work with Staci for any lighting needs. She did the lighting design for our outdoor patio space when we moved to an apartment on the UWS, and it is truly magical to be out there at night now. We believe she is a real artist at heart, and her inherent taste and style are one of a kind! There is no job too big or small, indoor or outdoor, that Staci can't bring to beautiful fruition! It's 17 years later from when we first met and we would recommend Staci enthusiastically! I am happy to speak to anyone thinking about working with Staci - do not miss out on the privilege and joy of working with her!