“Our process for design and installation is different from a typical landscaping company,” says Lance Asti, owner of Limelight Landscape Lighting, LLC. “We are a very niche service company.”
Limelight specializes in landscape and architectural lighting design and installation, creating custom outdoor lighting designs to transform homes and yards. “Landscaping companies focus on putting in trees, shrubs and mulch, but for them, landscape lighting is an add-on,” Asti explains. “For us, lighting is everything. The details of placement, or of aiming, and even the premier fixtures themselves, are much more intentional than with a company that does not specialize in outdoor lighting.”
What are the most popular types of landscape lighting? Asti lists uplighting, wall wash lighting, path lighting, tree-mounted down lighting, hardscape lighting and bistro lighting so people can really enjoy their outdoor living spaces. He also explains how important it is to work with a member of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. “As AOLP members, we are certified designers and professional installers, and are held accountable to continuing education. This distinction separates us. It takes a lot of time and energy, but it keeps us focused on working on our craft to be on the cutting edge of everything we do.”
A collegiate men’s swim coach for 20 years, Asti coached at LSU, Clemson and then the University of Tennessee, where he had also competed as a Vol in the late 1990s. His drive for excellence led to his coaching Olympians and Team USA at the 2018 World Championships in Hangzhou, China. Despite his coaching success, which involved significant traveling for meets and recruiting, he made a decision to change careers to allow him to be home more with his wife and three children. He founded Limelight in 2020 as a part-time business, but that quickly evolved into a full-time landscape lighting company.
“At UT, we had an incredible staff of coaches, where I had the opportunity to work primarily with the sprinters. When you come to a school like UT, you come because it’s a world-class program, and you bring a big dream. The coaches have the honor and responsibility to guide these talented athletes to help them achieve their dreams. When you’re helping an athlete make an Olympic team, details in so many areas like nutrition, the mental game, training and recovery, all matter.”
Asti translated many of those coaching principles to his lighting business, investing in his staff to develop a strong work ethic, teamwork, discipline and attention to every detail. “We have the most incredible team at Limelight. I love mentoring and guiding these young team members to grow and develop as people and certified craftsmen pursuing excellence. We take that Olympic-level experience into running our business, making every detail matter in service to our customers, achieving their vision,” Asti adds.
Customers discover that the consultation, custom design and estimate with Limelight are all free. “The goal of a consultation is to understand the personal preferences and vision of our customer. And then, to evaluate the unique property features and determine focal points for evening illumination.” His certified designers work quickly to turn around a written custom design, sitemap, detailed image of fixture placement and estimate, so the customer can envision the end result and know what to expect.
“We want to go above and beyond while showcasing what we can do and assuring our homeowners we won’t cut corners. “
“We are proud to be 100% local–not just a national franchise in the Knoxville market. My family lives in Knoxville. Our team members live in Knoxville. We get a ton of work by word of mouth, neighbors, friends and families who see and love our work.”
Asti explains that durability is a huge factor when a professional installs a lighting system. “The difference in what we do vs. a homeowner buying some lights at a big box store can also be defined by our expertise in professional installation. Our fixtures and our installation process are unique, and the end results are noticeably better. Many of the fixtures even have a lifetime warranty. Maintenance plans assure customers who have invested in a high-quality system that it will look outstanding year after year.”
“Our company mission is to brighten people’s lives, not just their homes, and we try to live that out every day.” Asti lists core values as integrity, craftsmanship, infusing value into relationships and brilliance.
“We want Limelight to be a brilliant spot in our community and the world.” But the word “brilliance” also reflects the intelligence, expertise and imagination they bring to designs. “We do the kind of outside-the-box outdoor lighting that a lot of companies say can’t be done. We put lights in tricky areas. We put more thought into how to accomplish brightening a home instead of just giving a cookie-cutter design experience. I empower my crew when they are out in the field to always be thinking and imagining the best way to do it.”
The former Olympic-level coach is driven daily to elevate the product, the outcome and the experience his team creates at Limelight. “Our goal is to provide a white-glove, red carpet experience–where customers feel they are well taken care of from start to finish,” Asti adds, “and we can develop long-term relationships.” Learn more at LimelightKnoxville.com.
Lance Asti
Owner, Limelight Landscape Lighting, LLC
“The first time I installed landscape lighting at my own house, I was hooked. The craftsmanship and skill sets were perfect for me and my interests. I was shocked at the extraordinary difference it made. My house was so inviting and cheerful. It appealed to my love of being outdoors and also to my artistic side, allowing me to essentially ‘paint with light’ and make an impact on the homeowner’s property. Because this happens for me, I know when my customers pull into their driveway and see this bright, shining, welcoming home, it gives them a smile that makes their day maybe 1% better. And if we can make our customers’ lives 1% better, we can make a tiny difference in the world.”