A method of using speech recognition to control a utility, comprising: receiving a speech command spoken by a user and captured by at least one microphone; processing the speech command in order to automatically recognize and enact an intention of the user in each of a sequence of spoken elements in the command, the elements having an order from first to last in time, with at least one of the elements indicating an intention of the user to control the utility and a further one or more of the elements each specifying a respective parameter of the control intended by the user; and after the speaking of the first element in the voice command but prior to enacting the last element of the command, controlling illumination emitted by one or more luminaires of a lighting system to provide feedback to the user regarding the processing of the speech command, wherein the utility comprises one of: heating, air conditioning, ventilation, a window treatment, or play-out of media from an entertainment system.