What makes a home feel alive?

For the team at Sandy Beach Lighting & Design, it’s more than furniture or the color of your walls. It’s the way light, layout, and textures come together to create an environment that supports your life and your everyday wellbeing.

In this episode, Amy Smith, founder of Lafayette Custom Interiors, shares her approach to creating successful interior design projects that blend thoughtful furniture selection, layouts, and intentional lighting. She explains how lighting choices influence the way we experience our spaces. From design mistakes to avoid to the subtle elements that can transform a room, Amy offers valuable insights for both homeowners and designers.

Key takeaways:

• How to evaluate and transform the energy of your home
• The importance of lighting in interior design and its impact on mood
• Amy’s approach to working with clients and creating spaces that feel like home

Highlights:
(00:00) About lighting and lighting psychology
(01:26) The trade-offs of installing lighting last
(04:46) Why you should design with intention
(06:15) The power of focal points
(11:43) Meet Amy Smith
(22:03) Subtle shifts that can change how a room feels
(24:26) Lighting in interior design

(30:34) Turn your home into a getaway with lighting

(44:23) The evolution of exterior lighting

(47:07) Why you should think of lighting design early

(01:01:53) Reflections on the interview

Resources:
Amy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-smith-619a1b19/
Lafayette Custom Interiors Website: https://www.lafayettecustominteriors.com
Andy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-schwindler-cold-clvlt-963b5763
Michelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-schwindler-a7a84a23a/
Sandy Beach’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandy-beach-lighting-and-design/
Sandy Beach’s Website: https://sandybeachoutdoor.com/

With new experiences and lessons learned, 2026 promises to be a year of even bigger projects and greater growth for Sandy Beach.

In this episode, Andy and Michelle Schwindler wind down from the busy holiday season and reflect on their individual accomplishments and memorable projects in 2025. They offer a glimpse into the experience of lighting a historic building, their growth journeys as lighting designers and leaders in the industry, and their dream projects for the year ahead.

Key takeaways:

• Why lighting a historic building is different from a modern project
• The importance of helping the lighting industry grow
• Andy and Michelle’s lighting goals for 2026

Highlights:

(00:00) Packing up after the holiday season
(02:11) Lighting a historic building

(04:24) How Michelle became a certified outdoor lighting designer

(08:54) Andy’s experience as a board member of the AOLP

(12:23) Andy and Michelle’s dream projects for 2026

(19:08) A holiday light show in Lafayette

(23:19) Goals for The Reveal

Resources:
Andy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-schwindler-cold-clvlt-963b5763

Michelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-schwindler-a7a84a23a/

Sandy Beach’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandy-beach-lighting-and-design/

Sandy Beach’s Website: https://sandybeachoutdoor.com/

Holidays are all about tradition. With thoughtful lighting, seasonal attractions, and simple moments done well, venues can become places families return to year after year.

In this episode, Andy and Michelle Schwindler chat with Jacqueline McCloskey, Director of Business Management at Fair Oaks Farms, about the unique Christmas experience they’ve created together. They share what the holiday season looks like in a small Indiana county, how Fair Oaks creates experiences for guests of all ages, and what it takes to turn a working farm into a Christmas destination.

Key takeaways:

• Why Fair Oaks Farms invests in Christmas programming
• How lighting becomes part of a brand’s story
• The behind-the-scenes planning of large-scale holiday installations

Highlights:

(00:00) A busy season for holiday lighting
(00:55) The challenges behind holiday projects

(04:09) Working with Fair Oaks Farm

(12:35) Christmas installations at Fair Oaks

(17:17) Meet Jacqueline McCloskey

(20:01) Creating a uniquely Indiana holiday experience

(24:15) Family traditions at the farm

(28:36) Jacqueline’s family tradition during Christmas

(33:42) What makes a partnership work

Resources:
Andy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-schwindler-cold-clvlt-963b5763

Michelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-schwindler-a7a84a23a/

Jacqueline’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-mccloskey-220870186/

Fair Oaks Farms website: https://fofarms.com/