On the latest episode of Lighting Matters, the podcast hosted by Morlights CEO Avraham “Avi” Mor and Lisa Reed of Reed Burkett Lighting Design, the guest is Karen Herold, founder of Chicago-based Studio K, a nationally recognized interior design studio known for its work on some of the country’s most iconic restaurants and hotels.

With over 25 years in hospitality design, Karen shares why she believes “lighting makes or breaks every project,” how thoughtful illumination creates emotional environments, and why she’d choose a smaller finishes budget with a lighting designer over a million-dollar interiors package without one.

From rechargeable table lamps reshaping restaurant design to the power of trust and collaboration, Karen makes the case that without good lighting, even the best interiors fall flat.

Listen to the whole episode here.