At Light + Building, I caught up with Tony Zitoli, President of Lib & Company, to discuss the state of the luxury lighting market, the growing demand for bespoke design, and why staying ahead of the curve has never been more critical.

Zitoli, a longtime industry veteran, launched Lib & Company four years ago as a high-end luxury lighting brand. Since then, the company has expanded aggressively, opening a 10,000-square-foot showroom in Dallas while maintaining a 25,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse in Toronto, its home base.

“It’s been a great experience the last four years,” Zitoli shared. “We’re having fun building something focused on the high-end market.”

No Slowdown in Luxury

While much of the lighting industry continues to navigate economic uncertainty, Zitoli sees a different reality at the top end of the market.

“There’s never a recession in luxury,” he said. “Whether it’s custom homes, high-rise residential, or hospitality, there’s always a client building or renovating.”

That consistent demand is driving Lib & Company’s niche: custom, made-to-order lighting. While the company offers catalog products, its core strength lies in bespoke solutions tailored to specific projects.

“That’s where we come in,” Zitoli explained. “Not just stocked items, but custom pieces designed to meet a very specific vision.”

White-Glove Service as a Standard

With customization comes complexity—and opportunity. Zitoli emphasized that high-end projects require significantly more hands-on involvement, from design through installation and beyond.

“It’s not just about delivering a fixture,” he said. “We’re involved throughout the process, sometimes even on-site during installation.”

That level of engagement has positioned Lib & Company as a provider of what many designers refer to as “white-glove service.”

“We take care of the client from start to finish—and even after,” Zitoli noted. “Our team follows up months later to make sure everything is still performing as expected.”

Controls and Integration: A Growing Priority

As luxury homes become more technologically advanced, lighting controls are playing an increasingly important role. Zitoli pointed to systems like Lutron and Control4 as common solutions in high-end residential projects.

“What we’re seeing now is a lot of integration,” he said. “It’s not just about the lighting—it’s about how it’s controlled.”

However, he stressed that success depends on early collaboration.

“If you come in at the end of a project, it’s too late,” Zitoli explained. “We try to get involved at the beginning so the lighting and controls are fully integrated from day one.”

The Power of Layered Lighting

A key principle guiding Zitoli’s work is the concept of layered lighting—a philosophy he has followed throughout his 40-year career.

“People often say they just want a chandelier,” he said. “But you need multiple layers of light to create mood and functionality in a space.”

From ambient to accent to decorative lighting, layering allows designers to shape how a space feels and functions. It’s a foundational concept that continues to define high-end lighting design.

Navigating Supply Chain and Tariffs

Like many in the industry, Zitoli is closely watching global supply chain dynamics and tariffs. His approach: stay proactive and diversify sourcing.

“I was just in Mexico City looking at glass manufacturers,” he said. “From here, I’m heading to Italy to visit factories in Venice and Florence.”

For Zitoli, international travel and trade shows remain essential tools for staying competitive.

“You have to stay ahead of the curve,” he said. “We’re always looking for what’s different, what’s unique, and what’s next.”

Looking Ahead

As Lib & Company continues to grow, Zitoli remains focused on differentiation through design, service, and global perspective.

“Lighting has always been in our DNA,” he said. “And staying ahead of the curve is what keeps us relevant.”