Lighting

Merlin Light on Tapestry
Merlin Light on Tapestry 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Merlin Light on Tapestry

Merlin Light on Tapestry

Precision Lighting for Fine Art

Lighting a fine art piece is more than illumination—it’s about revealing its depth, texture, and vibrant colors without distraction. This French tapestry, with its intricate patterns and rich hues, becomes a living masterpiece under the careful placement of a Merlin framing projector. Adaptive Design Group uses this proprietary technology to ensure every thread and shade is highlighted with precision, creating a visual experience that feels both intimate and dramatic.

Merlin Lights allow for full control over beam angle, intensity, and placement, making it possible to emphasize the artwork while minimizing any glare or spill on surrounding walls. Unlike traditional lighting, which can flatten textures or wash out colors, the framing projector sculpts light to accentuate every detail of the tapestry, letting its artistry speak for itself.

This approach demonstrates the importance of professional Architectural Lighting Design, where technology and artistry intersect. By coordinating light with the surrounding space, furniture, and architectural elements, the tapestry becomes a focal point without overwhelming the room. Every visitor can appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that went into both the artwork and its presentation.

Get Merlin Light on Tapestry.

At Adaptive Design Group, we’ve spent decades perfecting how light interacts with art and interiors. From decorative objects to large-scale tapestries, we create lighting solutions that elevate every piece. The Merlin framing projector is a prime example of how precision, control, and experience combine to produce an unforgettable visual impact.

Experience the difference for yourself—contact us to bring this level of artistry and control to your home or collection.

Integrated Lighting
Integrated Lighting makes a space 500 500 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Integrated Lighting makes a space

Integrated Lighting Makes a Space

Integrated lighting isn’t an accessory—it’s the structure behind the atmosphere. When done right, it disappears. What’s left is a space that feels naturally beautiful, balanced, and alive. That’s the power of good lighting design. And it’s never accidental.

At Adaptive Design Group, we believe lighting is the fourth dimension of architecture. We work closely with architects, builders, and interior designers to ensure lighting isn’t tacked on at the end—it’s planned from the start. The result? Seamless transitions, intentional highlights, and an overall sense of clarity and warmth throughout your home.

Our approach includes every layer: ambient, task, decorative, and smart home lighting systems that respond to your routine and environment. From wireless lighting control to automatic house lights and smart outdoor lighting, we combine technical mastery with artistic instinct.

This project was a perfect example of what happens when collaboration and vision come together. A space transformed by light—not overwhelmed by it.

Let’s make something seamless. Contact us to begin your integrated residential lighting project.

#luxurylifestyle #lightingdesign #beachlife #customhomedesign

Photo credit: @davidmarlowphotography

Why Hide Your Staircase
Why hide your staircase? 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Why hide your staircase?

Why Hide Your Staircase?

Architectural Lighting That Elevates Every Step

A staircase is more than a passage—it’s a sculptural moment within the home. And when treated with intention, it becomes an opportunity to showcase the architecture rather than obscure it.

At Adaptive Design Group, we believe lighting is a tool of revelation—used to emphasize form, guide the eye, and create atmosphere. That’s why we treat features like staircases not as utilitarian necessities, but as canvases for our Artistry in Light.

In this home, the stairwell serves as both a functional connector and a central design feature. Subtle layers of indirect light accent the verticality of the space, while custom-integrated step lighting ensures safety without visual clutter. Every element—trimless fixtures, dimming zones, material reflections—was carefully considered to enhance the architectural story.

Our proprietary Dimming Control Technology gives the homeowner granular control over the mood and intensity of each scene, whether it’s late-night ambiance or bright midday visibility. The result is an environment that feels intuitive, refined, and remarkably balanced.

Great lighting doesn’t shout—it whispers. And in a space like this, the staircase becomes a quiet focal point: an illuminated path that invites movement while enhancing the home’s sense of flow and form.

Why Hide Your Staircase? If your staircase is tucked away in the shadows, it might be time to ask: what would happen if you lit it like the art piece it truly is?

Let’s explore what’s possible—step by step.

#luxurylifestyle #lightingdesign #theartofillumination #lagunabeach #parkcityutah

Fire Water & Light
Fire Water & Light 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Fire Water & Light

Fire, Water & Light

Artful Outdoor Experiences Elevated

Few combinations captivate like fire, water, and light. On this Laguna Beach project, Adaptive Design Group transformed an outdoor lounge into a dynamic, sensory experience where each element enhances the other. The fire pit anchors the space, offering warmth and an inviting focal point, while the water feature introduces movement, sound, and reflective shimmer that plays beautifully with the carefully designed lighting.

The reverse-cascade illumination of the water creates a firelike glow from below, perfectly echoing the warmth of the flames above. This is where artistic lighting design becomes essential: it isn’t just about seeing, it’s about feeling the environment. Every glow, reflection, and shadow is intentionally placed to enhance textures, highlight surfaces, and create an immersive atmosphere that elevates the outdoors to an art form.

Adaptive Design Group carefully integrated all layers of light—path, decorative, architectural, and accent—ensuring the space functions for socializing, relaxation, or evening entertainment. Materials, surfaces, and natural surroundings are all considered, with each fixture hidden or artfully positioned to maintain elegance while providing perfect illumination.

The result is an outdoor space that feels alive, luxurious, and entirely unique—a retreat where modern design, natural elements, and precision lighting converge.

Bring your outdoor spaces to life with Adaptive Design Group’s expertise. Contact us to explore how fire, water, and light can transform your home.

#lagunabeach #modernarchitecture #moderninteriordesign #lightingdesign #luxurylifestyle

adaptive-design-group-blog-Lighting-Design-Florida-estate
Lighting Design Florida estate 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Lighting Design Florida estate

Lighting Design Florida Estate

Expertise Across Styles, Climates, and Locations

Adding Adaptive Design Group’s lighting design artistry to this expansive Florida estate was a true pleasure. From the moment guests arrive through the wrought iron gates and pass the elegant fountain, every architectural detail and landscape element is highlighted with care and precision. This property blends classic elegance with ultra-luxury touches, making it the perfect canvas for sophisticated, layered lighting.

Inside, the grand interiors are complemented with architectural, decorative, and interior lighting, each layer meticulously coordinated to enhance the home’s character. Vaulted ceilings, moldings, and staircases are softly illuminated to guide the eye and reinforce the grandeur of the design. Artworks and furniture receive their own dedicated layers of light, ensuring that every element is appreciated while maintaining an overall harmony.

The estate’s exterior and landscape also reflect Adaptive Design Group’s mastery. Pathways, gardens, and patios are thoughtfully lit to balance beauty and safety. Pools, fountains, and water features come alive after sunset, creating dramatic, inviting spaces that can be enjoyed day or night. The use of hidden fixtures, subtle dimming, and integrated controls ensures that the lighting is always seamless, enhancing the home without ever overpowering it.

While this project was located in Florida, Adaptive Design Group has the experience, vision, and technical expertise to design and execute lighting for homes of any style, size, or climate across the country. From coast to coast, every project is approached with the same dedication to artistry, technology, and precision.

Transform your home into a masterpiece of light and comfort—contact Adaptive Design Group today to explore how expert lighting can elevate your space.

Custom Deer Crest home
Custom Deer Crest home 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Custom Deer Crest home

Custom Deer Crest Home

Frosted tips! This stunning Deer Crest residence is folded into Mother Nature with precision and grace, captured here beneath a veil of fresh snow and towering frosted trees. The landscape feels untouched—but every detail in this home was planned with intention, especially the lighting.

Architectural Lighting Design plays a crucial role in a home like this. Nestled in nature, the lighting must enhance both interior comfort and the exterior view. It’s not about overpowering the environment—it’s about working with it. Our lighting systems create warmth and clarity while maintaining the quiet magic of the surroundings. Whether it’s gently highlighting natural wood beams or adding ambient glow to exterior overhangs, the result is harmony between light and landscape.

Behind every glow is a team effort. We conduct walkthroughs during critical stages—like pre-drywall—to review lighting plans, dimming controls, and electrical engineering. These meetings ensure precision, prevent surprises, and align every trade on the details that matter most. Collaboration on this project with Upwall Design, McNulty Construction, and Ridgeline Electric has been exceptional.

Nature is the backdrop. Lighting is the story. And this Custom Deer Crest home is a masterclass in both.

Ready to bring your next custom home to life? Let’s talk.

@deercrestclub @upwalldesign @parkcity_utah #mountainliving @adaptivedg @glenn.johnson.14606

Merlin Light magically shapes
Merlin Light magically shapes Tuscan countryside oil painting 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Merlin Light magically shapes Tuscan countryside oil painting

Light That Paints

How Precision Lighting Elevates Fine Art and Interior Ambience

There’s beauty in a painting—and then there’s the beauty of how it’s lit. This Tuscan countryside oil painting already evokes warmth, movement, and serenity on its own. But with Merlin Light technology casting perfect color-rendered light across every brushstroke, the entire experience is transformed. The result? A living moment suspended on the wall—vivid, dimensional, and emotionally resonant.

Merlin Light magically shapes: Tuscan countryside oil painting

This is more than a spotlight. This is intentional illumination, tailored to complement the tones, textures, and materials of the artwork. The soft golden hills and cool blue shadows of the Tuscan scene are rendered with accuracy and reverence, as if the sun itself was curated to match the canvas.

Proper lighting bridges the gap between appreciation and awe. It draws you closer. It allows the art to breathe and perform. And for collectors, homeowners, or designers who deeply care about how a space feels—lighting becomes just as essential as the art itself.

At Adaptive Design Group, we design and install lighting that respects the subject and enhances the space it lives in. Whether it’s one cherished piece or an entire curated collection, we use the latest lighting technology—including Merlin Light—to showcase your art at its best.

Your art deserves to be seen in its full brilliance. Let Adaptive Design Group light it to perfection.

@adaptivedg #theartofillumination @glenn.johnson.14606 @merlin_light @fineartconnoisseurmagazine

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adaptive-design-group-blog-Modern-Design-Team
Modern Design Team 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Modern Design Team

Modern Design Team

Collaborative Lighting + Dimming Design

The “Modern Design Team” isn’t complete without a professional Lighting Design and Dimming Controls expert at the table. At Adaptive Design Group, we’ve spent over 35 years proving why. Under the leadership of Glenn Merlin Johnson, we have pioneered the fusion of technical precision and artistic vision—bringing together the worlds of architecture, interiors, and advanced lighting control into one seamless experience.

Today’s high-end residential projects demand more than beautiful fixtures—they require intention, integration, and impeccable execution. That’s where we come in. Our firm is known nationwide for pushing the boundaries of what architectural lighting can do, not just visually, but emotionally. Every project begins with careful collaboration alongside architects, interior designers, and AV professionals. Together, we build lighting systems that elevate a home’s design and improve the way it lives, moves, and feels.

We leverage a curated arsenal of tools and technologies that help us bring these ideas to life. From our own high-output recessed Merlin Light—designed specifically to support detailed architectural lighting—to best-in-class systems and controls including Lutron, Ketra, Crestron, Control4, Vantage Controls, and Hevi Lite, we ensure that every fixture and dimming system works in harmony with the surrounding space. Our lighting plans integrate seamlessly with smart home controls, daylighting strategies, and material finishes to produce an experience that feels effortless.

Brands like LF Illumination and Specialty Lighting Industries support our vision with specialty luminaires that help us shape light to architecture, furniture, and artwork alike. The result is never cookie-cutter—it’s always customized, elevated, and enduring.

When lighting is done right, you feel it before you see it. That’s the Adaptive difference—and why the industry continues to look to us for leadership, creativity, and reliable execution.

We are here to support your vision. Let us help you make it a reality!

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adaptive-design-group-blog-Lighting-design-on-Dustin-Yellin's-Laminated-Glass-Sculpture
Laminated Glass Sculpture Lighting 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Laminated Glass Sculpture Lighting

Laminated Glass Sculpture Lighting

Precision Lighting for Complex Art Installations

Lighting glass is always a challenge, and when the artwork in question is a massive laminated glass sculpture by Dustin Yellin, the stakes rise exponentially. This piece resembles a fish tank yet defies both logic and perspective, demanding a lighting approach that balances technical precision with artistry. Adaptive Design Group was tasked with framing this intricate work to highlight every layer, every curve, and every subtle detail without distracting from the natural beauty and complexity of the sculpture.

Merlin Lights, with their high-performance framing projectors, were the ideal solution. Each projector was carefully selected, positioned, and tested to ensure perfect coverage and even illumination. The transparency and reflective qualities of laminated glass can make or break a presentation, and our team leveraged decades of experience in architectural and fine art lighting design to bring out vibrancy, texture, and depth. This wasn’t just about visibility—it was about creating an emotional impact and allowing viewers to experience the sculpture exactly as the artist intended.

The process involved careful mock-ups, iterative adjustments, and precise calibration, ensuring that every projector worked in harmony to sculpt the light around the piece. It’s a testament to the power of combining cutting-edge lighting technology with seasoned design expertise.

From the planning phase to final execution, this project highlights Adaptive Design Group’s mastery of complex lighting challenges. For collectors, galleries, and homeowners alike, our ability to control light with subtlety and precision transforms extraordinary artwork into a fully immersive experience.

Illuminate your collection with Adaptive Design Group—contact us to bring professional art lighting to your space.

@dustinyellin @dustinyellinstudio @merlin_light @adaptivedg

Merlin Light frames Jackson Pollock
Merlin Light frames Jackson Pollock in light 589 589 Adaptive Design Group, Inc.

Merlin Light frames Jackson Pollock in light

Merlin Light Frames Jackson Pollock in Light

There are few greater challenges—and greater honors—than lighting fine art at the highest level. When the work in question is by Jackson Pollock, every choice of placement, angle, and fixture becomes critical. Pollock’s paintings are not just images; they are energy frozen on canvas. Layers of drips, splatters, and controlled chaos demand light that reveals depth, texture, and the motion hidden within.

For this project, Merlin Light precision art lighting projectors were the tool of choice. Known for their ability to deliver exacting beams of light without distraction, Merlin fixtures bring a rare blend of power and subtlety. Every brushstroke, every glint of paint, and every variation in surface texture becomes visible, allowing viewers to engage with the work as the artist intended.

The challenge with a Pollock is balance. Too much light, and the painting flattens; too little, and its vibrant energy disappears. Our approach was to frame the canvas in a way that created dimension, revealing both the intricacy of Pollock’s technique and the broader movement of the composition. The projector’s framing technology allowed for seamless edges of light, so the artwork appears illuminated as if by magic, with no spill onto surrounding walls.

The result is not just lighting—it’s transformation. Thats why our clients chose Merlin Light frames Jackson Pollock in light. Viewers are invited into the rhythm of the piece, with the paint seeming to pulse and shift under the illumination. It’s a reminder that great art deserves great light, and that the right fixture doesn’t just illuminate—it elevates.

With Merlin Light and Pollock together, the outcome is nothing short of a magical match.

Need our incredible framing for your art? Contact us!

@jacksonpollock_official @fineartconnoisseurmagazine @adaptivedg @glenn.johnson.14606 Visit Merlin Light