One of the First 60 Ketra Dealers in the Country
NorthStar brings Minnesota its most sophisticated lighting technology — Ketra natural light tunability, precisely calibrated and fully integrated with Lutron HomeWorks QSX.
60
Original Ketra Dealers Nationwide
NorthStar was selected as one of only 60 dealers in the country when Ketra launched its dealer network — a distinction earned through technical excellence and client results.
2020
Lutron Excellence Award
Best Ketra or Ivalo Lighting Project
Recognized by Lutron Electronics for the most outstanding Ketra installation in the country — a testament to NorthStar's design depth and programming precision.
View announcement →QSX
HomeWorks QSX + Ketra Specialists
Most Ketra dealers can't deliver the full HomeWorks QSX integration. NorthStar's dual expertise makes us the only call to make for a complete circadian lighting system.
Ketra Lighting: The Science of Natural Light in Minneapolis Homes
BEYOND TUNABLE WHITE — FULL NATURAL LIGHT SPECTRUM
Standard LED dimming dims more than just brightness — it shifts color, loses vibrancy, and throws off the natural quality that makes a room feel alive. Ketra is engineered to solve this completely.
Ketra reproduces the sun's journey from morning cool blue-whites through afternoon warmth to the amber glow of dusk. Every color in the visible spectrum is available — and every white point maintains 95+ CRI, meaning colors in your home appear exactly as intended, at every level.
- 1,400K to 10,000K — full natural light spectrum
- 95+ CRI at every output level — no color shift at dim
- Full visible spectrum color, not just white tones
- Circadian rhythm programming — follow the sun automatically
- Recessed, linear, pendants, and custom architectural fixtures
- Fundamentally different from standard tunable white LEDs
Natural Light Tunable Lighting — What Makes Ketra Different
Ketra's proprietary N-Light technology blends multiple LED channels to achieve what no other fixture can: perfect color at any intensity, at any white point, in any color.
Full Spectrum White
1,400K candlelight to 10,000K daylight — the complete arc of natural sunlight reproduced in your home.
Perfect Color Rendering
95+ CRI at every output level. Artwork, fabrics, and finishes look exactly as they should — always.
Vibrant Color
Every color in the visible spectrum available. Perfect for holidays, art highlighting, and mood-setting in theaters and wine cellars.
Circadian Rhythm Support
Automatically tracks the sun's path throughout the day. Better sleep, better focus, better wellbeing — built into your home.
The NorthStar Ketra Process
FROM DESIGN TO CALIBRATION — WE OWN EVERY STEP
Lighting Design Consultation
We begin with your architecture, lifestyle, and vision. Every Ketra system is designed — not installed off a spec sheet.
Architectural Integration
We work directly with your builder and architect to spec fixtures, trim, and placement before walls close.
HomeWorks QSX Programming
Every scene, every schedule, every circadian arc is programmed to your home's unique needs on Lutron's flagship platform.
Calibration & Tuning
On-site calibration ensures every fixture performs at its peak — color accuracy, intensity, and transition curves dialed in precisely.
Lifetime Support
Your system is never a one-time installation. NorthStar provides ongoing support, adjustments, and programming changes for as long as you own your home.
Ketra Lighting Applications — Twin Cities Luxury Homes
Ketra performs wherever natural light quality and precision matter — which, in a well-designed home, is everywhere.
Whole-Home Circadian Lighting
Program your entire home to mirror the sun's path. Wake with energizing cool light, transition through productive afternoon tones, and settle into warm amber evenings — automatically.
Architectural Statements
Coves, trims, and recessed fixtures that reveal your home's finest details with museum-quality color rendering. Every material, every finish, every surface shown at its best.
Wellness Rooms & Primary Suites
Your bedroom is where circadian lighting matters most. Ketra's full-spectrum dawn simulation improves sleep quality and morning energy in ways standard LEDs cannot replicate.
Wine Cellars & Home Theaters
Shift from faithful white-point rendering in your cellar to rich amber and deep theatrical hues in your screening room. Ketra's color range makes both possible.
Art & Collections
95+ CRI means artwork and collectibles are lit as the artist intended. No color shift, no UV degradation — gallery-standard lighting in your home.
Outdoor Architectural Lighting
Ketra's portfolio extends to exterior architectural applications — facades, landscape uplighting, and entertainment spaces that transition fluidly with your interior scenes.
Why Ketra + HomeWorks QSX Is NorthStar's Edge
DUAL EXPERTISE. NO COMPROMISES.
Ketra was acquired by Lutron and integrates natively with HomeWorks QSX — but most Ketra dealers lack the programming depth to unlock this integration fully. NorthStar holds Lutron's Excellence Award for Best Ketra System precisely because we go deeper.
With HomeWorks QSX as the control backbone, your Ketra lighting becomes a unified, scene-driven system: one button sets the mood across every room, every fixture, every outdoor zone — coordinated perfectly. Add Josh.ai voice control, and your home truly disappears into the architecture.
- Native Ketra + HomeWorks QSX integration — no third-party bridges
- Full scene programming across lighting, shades, HVAC, and AV
- Astronomical timeclock — lighting adjusts with Minnesota seasons
- Josh.ai voice control integration
- Award-winning programming expertise
Ketra Lighting FAQ — Minneapolis
Common questions from Twin Cities homeowners exploring Ketra circadian lighting design.
What is Ketra lighting?+
Ketra is a premium LED lighting system that goes far beyond standard tunable white. It reproduces the full spectrum of natural sunlight — from 1,400K candlelight warmth to 10,000K bright daylight — and offers vibrant color throughout the entire visible spectrum. Ketra fixtures use proprietary technology to maintain perfect color rendering (95+ CRI) at every output level, and can follow your body's natural circadian rhythm throughout the day for better sleep, mood, and wellbeing.
Is Ketra worth the cost?+
For clients who invest in luxury homes, the answer is consistently yes. Ketra eliminates the color shift, dullness, and rendering failures common in standard LEDs. The result is artwork that looks museum-quality, finishes that appear exactly as intended, and lighting that genuinely improves your daily experience. Paired with Lutron HomeWorks QSX, it becomes a completely invisible, automated system — the gold standard in architectural lighting.
Where can I see Ketra lighting in Minneapolis?+
NorthStar's studio in Stillwater, MN features live Ketra demonstrations. You can experience the full range of Ketra's natural light tunability and color rendering in person before specifying it in your home. Contact us to schedule a studio visit.
Does NorthStar handle Ketra installation and design?+
Yes — completely. NorthStar is one of only 60 original Ketra dealers in the country. We handle every aspect: lighting design consultation, architectural integration with your builder or architect, HomeWorks QSX programming, on-site calibration, and lifetime support.
Can Ketra integrate with my existing Lutron system?+
Yes. Ketra was acquired by Lutron and integrates natively with Lutron HomeWorks QSX. If you already have a HomeWorks QSX system, Ketra fixtures can typically be added and programmed within your existing installation. NorthStar's deep expertise in both platforms makes this seamless.
How do I schedule a Ketra consultation in Minneapolis?+
Contact NorthStar via our contact page, call us at (612) 254-2626, or visit our Stillwater headquarters or Minneapolis design studio. We serve luxury homeowners throughout Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Edina, and the greater Twin Cities metro.
EXPLORE NORTHSTAR
Ready to Experience Ketra Lighting?
Minneapolis and Twin Cities homeowners — discover what one of only 60 original Ketra dealers in the country can design for your home.
Stillwater: 5640 Memorial Ave N STE B, Stillwater, MN 55082 | Minneapolis: 1624 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 | (612) 254-2626