Posted by JaneGWalker on May 22nd, 2013 @ 5:01 PM
Memorial Day, the kickoff to barbecue season, is just a few days away. The long weekend is a great excuse to get together with friends and have a cookout in the yard, play games and have a few drinks. At OLP, we are happy to offer outdoor lighting ideas for any occasion, and this isn’t any different. Here are some fun ideas for your Memorial Day get-together:
Considered by many as a holiday lighting product, outdoor string lights are so versatile that they can be used all year. The most common way to use string lights is to string them along the railing of a deck or up in the branches of the trees, but there is more you can do. Placing them in large lanterns is a great way to provide additional lighting to the space, but it is still beautiful. If you don’t have lanterns, they can also be placed in empty wine bottles (seeing the labels backlit can be really fun).
If you want something more patriotic, you can still use string lights. Find some red, white and blue cups (small plastic or paper cups work well), cut a small hole in the bottom and place the bulb through it. It’s an easy way to incorporate any colors into an outdoor space. If you don’t have string lights, a lot of party supply stores usually carry paper lanterns in a variety of colors. Hanging red, white and blue ones would look lovely in any outdoor living space.
Personally, candles are my go-to when I need additional lighting while entertaining outdoors. You can never go wrong with a bunch of candles of different sizes in the middle of a table. If needed, adding something to the table around the candles will give it the extra something special. This weekend, I purchased some simple red, white and blue stars that I’ll place around the table. The candlelight will reflect beautifully of them for a shimmery finish.
My first concern when entertaining outdoors is the safety of my guests. My deck has a few steps that lead down to a low to grade patio. After our first outdoor entertaining experience and almost dropping a plate full of food on the ground, I knew that the steps needed additional lighting. We had outdoor deck lighting installed on the steps and in a few places around the deck. We also added some path lights around the patio so that it wasn’t lost in the darkness. It not only helps us and our guests see where they are stepping, but it also keeps the party outside!
At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, our goal is to create custom outdoor lighting solutions that work for your space and how you use it. If someone spends a lot of time outdoors and hosts outside, their lighting system will be different than the person who just wants the front of their home lit, but in both cases it works for them. A good outdoor lighting design understands how the space is used.
If you are interested in learning more about outdoor lighting and how it can enhance your outdoor living space and property, please contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.
Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Tags: deck lights, outdoor deck lighting, outdoor entertaining tips, outdoor lighting ideas, outdoor lighting perspectives, outdoor patio lighting, outdoor string lights, party lighting, party lights, patio lights, string lights
Posted in Deck lighting, Holiday decor, Landscape lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Outdoor Patio Lighting, Party Lighting, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on May 17th, 2013 @ 9:04 PM
L.E.D
- Versatile and durable
- Lasts up to 50,000 hours
- No warm-up time
- Takes 8 watts to power your bulb
- No filaments or moving parts
- Light produced is directional and focused
Halogen
- Fragile
- Lasts between 2,000 and 3,000 hours
- Takes 35 watts to give the same effect as an LED bulb
- Filaments
- Light produced bounces in all directions
LED lighting will on average save you 80% on your electricity bill when switching from a halogen outdoor lighting system. That’s a ton of cash! Also and LED bulb’s life span is much longer than a halogen bulb. The more rounds it can go the less money and time you have to spend maintaining it. In this battle of the bulbs you have two warriors to choose from: LED or halogen.
If you don’t currently have an outdoor lighting system at your home, make sure you feel comfortable with how it works and looks before purchasing it. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we offer our clients a free nighttime demonstration. During the demonstration, our outdoor lighting designers install a temporary lighting system so you can see how it will look each and every night. Not only does this make our clients more comfortable with their purchase, but it also allows us to make sure the design is just right.
If you have an outdoor lighting system that’s halogen, but are interested in LED lighting, you may be in luck. A lot of existing systems can be retrofitted to LED pretty easily. Make sure to reach out to your landscape lighting company to see if it is something they can do.
As always, we at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives are available for any questions you may have regarding residential, commercial and holiday outdoor lighting. Please do not hesitate to contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office if you have any questions!
Tags: benefits of LED lighting, halogen outdoor lighting, halogen vs. LED, landscape lighting systems, LED bulb retrofit, LED landscape lighting, outdoor lighting design, outdoor lighting perspectives, outdoor lighting systems
Posted in Energy efficiency, Landscape lighting, LED retro-fitting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Maintenance, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on May 8th, 2013 @ 3:34 PM
At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we’ve designed and installed over 85,000 custom outdoor lighting systems. Each one is unique in its own right as the best outdoor lighting systems use the property as its muse and each property is different. Every lighting designer’s goal should be to bring out the best parts of the property, whether it’s the architecture, landscaping, etc.
When I look at pictures of architectural outdoor lighting, I’m always amazed at the vast differences in architecture and lighting techniques. What works well on one home won’t necessarily work for another. Here are some great examples of outdoor lighting for different architecture styles.
At first glance this brick home is simply stunning, but it also has a lot of architectural details that our Outdoor Lighting Perspectives designer wanted to bring out in his design. There are numerous peaks along the roofline, a porch and a large archway over the front door. Each part is key to the overall look of the home and needed to be illuminated properly to keep that “simply stunning” look. The majority of the home was lit using up lights. Well lights are installed near the base of the home and wash the vertical areas with an even color. I especially like how the details within the brick are highlighted. All of the architectural details are there, even after dark.
The columns here are the big architectural detail of the home. At night, this property had a completely different ambiance than during the day because the columns couldn’t be appreciated. By installing column lighting that is able to light each column from the bottom to the top, the home is much more appealing at night.
This home in the Birmingham area has so many details that it would be a shame if they couldn’t be enjoyed all night long. Architectural outdoor lighting is able to bring out the numerous arches, the ornate railings along the multiple balconies, the curved details, etc.
Here is an example of modern architectural lighting. This home’s modern lines are apparent with the addition of up lights. The home itself has wide eaves that catch the light from below, but also provide a great place to install some lighting. If you look closely over the doorway, you’ll see that instead of up lighting, a few light fixtures were installed in the eaves to shine down on the front patio and porch area. For that particular space, it was the best option for ensuring the light levels matched the rest of the front façade.
Whether it’s brick, stucco or a log home, many times some of the best architectural details are the textures of a property. Take this house for instance; the stonework around the front door and the garage is gorgeous. It brings depth and complexity to the home. If the house wasn’t properly lit at night it would be shame. With the addition of professional outdoor lighting, the warm colors of the stone as well as the texture can be admired.
If you are interested to learn how architectural outdoor lighting can enhance the look of your home, please contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.
Tags: architectural lighting, column lighting, down lights, front facade lighting, how to outdoor lighting, outdoor architectural lighting, outdoor lighting, outdoor lighting design, outdoor lighting perspectives, up lighting, well lights
Posted in Covered Porch Lighting, Deck lighting, Landscape lighting, Outdoor architectural lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Outdoor Patio Lighting, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on May 3rd, 2013 @ 6:45 PM
LED landscape lighting has been growing in popularity over the last few years and has been a staple in the lighting industry. Technology has improved greatly and due to its energy efficiency, LED is a wonderful option when considering outdoor lighting. LED bulbs last much longer than standard low voltage lights and require much less maintenance, making it very useful in many installations (including fixtures that may be in hard to reach areas). Recently our Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Long Island location installed two residential outdoor lighting systems using LED lights that have enhanced the respective properties beautifully.
The first takes place in the front of the client’s home. Amy and Dennis Downling, who are the local experts in outdoor lighting in Long Island, were called to this home because there wasn’t sufficient lighting after dark. The house itself has a lovely stucco finish with large front columns. The columns not only have ornate details at the top, but also stone bases as anchors. These dominating features, however, couldn’t be appreciated at night. The addition of LED lights fixed that.
The Dowlings designed a lighting system that highlights the features and textures of the home. LED up lights were installed at the base of each of the four front columns. Despite being low voltage (the system uses less than 100 watts!), LED provides enough light output to illuminate the columns from the stone base to the very top architectural details. From the warm stucco color to the green landscaping, the white LED light allows the colors on the property to pop.
The second LED lighting project from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives took place at the back of the house. This homeowner had a multi-level deck that included 2 sets of stairs and a hot tub. LED lights were installed onto several of the posts as well as the top and bottom of the stairs to provide sure-footing. Take a look at the picture and notice how well lit the deck and stairs are. The LEDs are bright enough to light the entire area although they are only situated on the posts. The complete system included 20 deck light fixtures and uses less than 80 watts!
While energy efficiency is important to us, we want to make sure that quality of the light output is high enough to ensure enhanced safety and security (as well as beauty). That’s why, for example, we utilized LED landscape lighting and not solar lighting. Solar lighting technology isn’t at the point where the performance is reliable. LED, however, is. The brightness as well as the color is very good. While the initial cost of LED lighting fixtures may be higher than an incandescent or halogen fixture, the energy cost is much lower.
For those homeowners who are reading this and saying “I wish my existing lighting system was LED,” you do have options. Depending on the existing lighting system, it can be retrofitted using new LED bulbs.
If you have questions regarding LED landscape lighting or outdoor lighting in general, please contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.
Tags: benefits of LED lighting, column lighting, deck lighting, energy efficient outdoor lighting, how to lighting columns, LED landscape lighting, LED lighting, outdoor lighting, outdoor lighting perspectives, residential outdoor lighting, solar lighting
Posted in Deck lighting, Energy efficiency, Landscape lighting, LED retro-fitting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Outdoor Patio Lighting, Outdoor safety lighting | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on April 18th, 2013 @ 5:15 PM
A few years ago my in-laws moved into a new construction home in a new neighborhood. The house and yard are fabulous. Off the back of their house, they have a lovely covered porch that opens up to a nice deck. On the far end of the deck, there are a few stairs that lead out into the yard. It’s a great space to sit and enjoy a drink and some appetizers, but at night, it was a little unsafe. The neighborhood they live in doesn’t have a lot of street light that spills over into their yard, so when the sun goes down, it’s dark. You can barely see the stairs that lead to the yard, until we urged them to add outdoor deck lighting.
Sure footing is important in any space, but when it involves older people or children and changes in elevation, it becomes even more important. When we at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives visit our clients’ properties, we always look for the areas that need extra lighting, and decks are usually one of them.
There are a few options when it comes to outdoor deck lights. The most common is installed at the top of the posts or along the railings, like the ones seen here that shine down on the decking below. Depending on the amount of railing between posts, one light may only be needed for every two or three posts.
Another deck lighting option is LED rope lights, seen here lining this pool. These are easily installed along the underside of the railing for a more modern look. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we’ve installed this type of deck and patio lighting on a lot of residential as well as commercial properties with patios. The LED rope lighting is available in several colors if the customer wants something other than the warm or cool white.
One aspect of deck lighting our outdoor lighting designers pay particular attention to are the steps. Steps, not surprisingly, can be the most dangerous part of the deck. They need to be clearly visible to make sure that no one trips and falls. There are two ways we light stairs. The first is installing lights on the railings like we do along the deck in other areas. The second option is to install the light on the vertical part of the step.
Not only does deck lighting increase the safety of our outdoor living space, but it allows you to enjoy it at all hours of the day and night. A well-lit outdoor area is much more inviting that a dark deck or patio. We are firm believers that if you have invested money in your outdoor living structures, you should be able to use them!
If you have areas of your yard that need some extra lighting to be safe, please reach out to your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.
Tags: deck lights, enhancing your outdoor living, lighting stairs, outdoor deck lighting, outdoor lighting perspectives, outdoor living spaces, outdoor patio lighting, outdoor safety lighting, patio lighting, patio lights, Safety Lighting, stair lighting
Posted in Commercial outdoor lighting, Deck lighting, Energy efficiency, Garden lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Outdoor Patio Lighting, Pool Lighting, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on April 11th, 2013 @ 7:22 PM
At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we are always intrigued by new lighting technologies, so it isn’t surprising that an article discussing crime fighting street lights piqued our interest. The city of Chattanooga tested new LED technology in a crime-ridden park in their city and now they are looking to switch out lights across the rest of the city.
Coolidge Park in Chattanooga is a large park in the city that had become dangerous for visitors at night. Gang violence had pushed the city towards incorporating large stadium lighting throughout the park to make sure all the areas were well lit. Worried that the stadium flood lights would ruin the park’s atmosphere, a local company brought a new lighting technology to the table (you can read the whole story here).
Instead the company proposed trying wirelessly controlled LED street lights that were not only energy-efficient, but could help combat the growing crime problem. Each light bulb is able brighten a crime scene or tail a suspicious person running through the park. Controlled out of patrol police car, the new park lights have not only cut down the crime, but increased the park’s use. People are now enjoying the park at all hours of the night.
For the city of Chattanooga, the benefits of a new lighting system like this are many. LED bulbs in general are much more energy efficient than other lighting options, but there are additional savings due to their controls. The lights dim at times when they aren’t being used cutting down on wasted energy and light output. Additionally, the city will save money on maintenance as LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours.
Because the entire lighting system can be controlled manually, they city is looking at possible ways to take advantage, for example using them to flash warning signals during emergencies.
Street lighting, as shown through this Chattanooga example, is a big crime deterrent and makes people feel safe in areas after dark. Unfortunately, a lot of municipalities have outdated systems that require a lot of maintenance or don’t provide enough light. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we try to work with what fixtures are already on the property if we can and just retrofit the light source. For instance, a parking garage may have metal halide high bay lights that we can retro fit to LED or induction lighting. Both LED and induction lighting not only last much longer than metal halide, but they are also much brighter for a safer look.
If you have questions regarding commercial outdoor lighting, please contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.
Tags: benefits of LED lighting, commercial outdoor lighting, commercial retrofitting, crime fighting lights, energy efficient lighting, Induction lighting, LED lighting, LED vs. halogen, lighting retrofits, outdoor lighting perspectives, park lighting, parking lot lighting, Safety Lighting, security lighting, Street lighting
Posted in Commercial outdoor lighting, Energy efficiency, Induction lamps, LED retro-fitting, Lighting automation timers, Lighting Control Automation, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Maintenance, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Safety lighting | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on April 4th, 2013 @ 3:18 PM
One of my favorite parts of my job is talking to our outdoor lighting professionals about the projects they are working on. Some have some wonderful new clients who want some unique and contemporary outdoor lighting systems. Over the last few months I’ve noticed a trend: outdoor lighting systems in outdoor living spaces.
At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we are huge proponents of making sure you get the most out of your outdoor living spaces with professional outdoor lighting. Yet, we still find that a lot of homeowners have decks, porches, patios, outdoor kitchens and other outdoor structures that they can’t use at night. That seems to be changing. More of our clients are asking us to enhance their outdoor living spaces with beautiful and efficient low voltage outdoor lighting.
Here’s a great example from Rick Johnson, who designs and installs outdoor lighting in Austin. He had a call from a client who recently had a beautiful outdoor kitchen built in their backyard. They entertain a lot and wanted to open that space up to guests all night long. They had a few existing flood lights, but they weren’t enough to properly (and beautifully) light the whole area and didn’t show off the details of the outdoor kitchen. Rick and his team were able to give the homeowners a lighting system that features the sleek lines of the kitchen while making the space safer for guests.
Our most frequently used outdoor lighting fixtures are our copper path lights and our well lights. Neither of those were used in this installation. Instead, the Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Austin team used LED rope lighting and small down lights in this space. LED rope lights are just that, rope-like encasing with LED lights within it. They are great for entertaining spaces as they emit enough light to properly light an area, but they are also available in a variety of colors for a funky look. In this instance, LED rope lights in a cool white were the perfect complement to this modern outdoor kitchen.
To highlight the design and texture of the outdoor kitchen, the rope lighting was installed on the underside of the bar area, along the step from the pool patio to the outdoor kitchen and along the top of the retaining wall that defines the space. The stone work on the retaining walls can now be appreciated at all times of the day.
Although the LED rope lighting is aesthetically pleasing, it also increases the safety of the space. Now the railings, steps and sharp edges are more clearly seen by guests for sure-footing.
The rope lighting, with its down-lighting nature was not enough to make this kitchen useable. The counters and cook space needed to be lit too! Small down lights were installed on the beams of the existing pergola for some overhead lighting. It is just enough to light the space efficiently without overwhelming the area.
Whether it is an outdoor kitchen like this, a deck, patio or other outdoor living space, outdoor lighting is imperative if you want to enjoy the space at all hours of the day safely. If you have a space that needs outdoor lighting, reach out to your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office. Our custom designs will ensure that you have a system that not only beautiful, but efficient and effective.
Tags: architectural lighting, contemporary outdoor lighting, copper path lights, custom outdoor lighting systems, down lighting, LED lights, LED rope lighting, led rope lights, modern outdoor lighting, outdoor kitchen lighting, outdoor lighting, outdoor lighting design, outdoor lighting in Austin, outdoor lighting perspectives, patio lighting, Safety Lighting, well lights
Posted in Copper fixtures, Deck lighting, Energy efficiency, Garden lighting, Landscape lighting, Outdoor architectural lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Outdoor Patio Lighting, Outdoor safety lighting, Path Lights, Uncategorized, Well lights | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on March 29th, 2013 @ 6:03 PM
Next up in our series of outdoor lighting techniques is up-lighting. Up-lighting is one of the most versatile strategies in outdoor lighting design as it is used in a variety of applications. Up-lighting is an excellent way to highlight the beauty of trees and architectural details.
A number of fixtures can be used when up-lighting, but the most commonly used fixture is the well light, or BB3 (seen here). The fixture is installed into the ground, no deeper than 12 inches. Different beams of light can be achieved by placing the fixture closer or further away from the structure and by changing the angle of the light bulb.
Grazing is a form of up-lighting that enhances the textures of a vertical space by placing a fixture only 6 to 8 inches from the surface and aiming the fixture directly upward. It is an absolutely gorgeous outdoor lighting effect on a brick, stone or stucco building as it brings out all of the details. It does not, however, work well on a siding due to the shadows it would create because the surface isn’t flat. Here’s a great image of grazing up-lighting from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Birmingham. This outdoor lighting system in Hoover, AL included a wall that surrounded part of the outdoor living space. If you can pull your eyes away from the beautiful sunset through the window, take a look at the texture that the lighting brings out. That architectural detail of the space can now be admired at all times of the day and night.
Tree lighting is another popular form of up-lighting. As opposed to moonlighting in trees and the shadows it creates, the tree trunk and branches are the focal point in up-lighting trees. The outdoor lighting fixtures are installed near the base of the tree. Most of our clients enjoy the warm wash of light up the trees, but some have added a pale blue lens to for a more subtle look. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we’ve up-lit trees with dramatic results. For our clients who have clients bordering their outdoor living spaces, up-lighting trees is a great way to draw the eye outward and add interest to an otherwise dark surrounding. Take these beautiful trees for example, the installed up-lights make them stand out against the dark sky, adding visual interest to the space.
Depending on the structure, where it is located, and what surrounds it, up-lighting can also be used for fountain or statue lighting.
The key to all outdoor lighting design is using the right techniques, with the right fixtures, installed in the right place. The designer has to consider where the excess light will go and make sure that it does not shine into the home, a neighbor’s home or property, or into any of the areas that people gather in when entertaining. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we place temporary lights in place so that we can be sure that the system will look and perform exactly how intended.
If you have questions regarding outdoor lighting on your property, contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office. Our trained lighting designers will create a beautiful system that you’ll enjoy night after night.
Tags: architectural outdoor lighting, installing up lights, installing well lights, moonlighting, outdoor architectural lighting, outdoor lighting, outdoor lighting design, outdoor lighting fixtures, outdoor lighting perspectives, outdoor lighting techniques, outdoor lighting trees, tree lighting, up lighting, up lighting trees, up lights, well lights
Posted in Energy efficiency, Garden lighting, Gazebo lighting, Landscape lighting, Outdoor architectural lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Tree lighting, Uncategorized, Well lights | No Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on March 21st, 2013 @ 8:55 PM
Two weeks ago I mentioned that we at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives would like to highlight some of the different outdoor lighting techniques that we often use when designing a custom outdoor lighting system for our clients. For us, outdoor lighting is all about the design. If the design isn’t good, whatever it’s lighting doesn’t look good either.
So what’s up today? Moon lighting.
Tree downlighting also known as moon lighting
Compared to other outdoor lighting techniques, moon lighting provides a much more subtle look as the light isn’t directly shined on a certain object, instead it is shined down through the branches and leaves of trees, mirroring the effects of the moon (hence the name). Moon lighting is great technique when it comes to projects that have a more natural feel, like a garden, golf course or backyard.
Many of our clients that end up with moon lighting don’t want the fixtures to be seen at all. Lighting fixtures, most commonly spotlights of varying sizes, are installed high up in the trees pointing downward. The wire can be run up the trunk of the trees and the fixtures can be drilled into the tree branches. The light beam shines downward through the branches, just like the light from the moon.
Because moon lighting is more difficult to install and maintain, we suggest using LED lamps in a warm white. LED lights last much longer than halogen or ceramic metal halide and when a tall ladder is needed to perform maintenance, LED lights will save the property owner a lot of money in maintenance costs.
For me, the best part of moon lighting is the beautiful effect it creates through the trees. Take look at the picture above, isn’t it romantic? The shadows are beautiful on the surrounding grounds and patios, just like it is intended.
If you have questions regarding different outdoor lighting techniques and what would work best for your property, contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives designer.
Tags: benefits of led, down lighting, golf course lighting, LED lighting, LED lights, LED vs. halogen, moon lighting, outdoor lighting maintenance, outdoor lighting perspectives, outdoor lighting techniques, outdoor lights, spot lighting, tree lighting
Posted in Garden lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Maintenance, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Posted by JaneGWalker on March 8th, 2013 @ 7:56 PM
When it comes to outdoor lighting, it isn’t enough to stick lights in the ground shining up at an object. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, our philosophy is “Effect, not fixtures.” We want our lighting design to bring complete visibility to the client’s outdoor living spaces and beautifully highlight the unique details of their home exterior and landscaping. Design and technique are key components to making your outdoor lighting system the most efficient and beautiful as possible. Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the more common outdoor lighting techniques. So what’s up for this week? Spot lighting.
Spot lighting is used to strongly light a specific object, such as a tree, statue, flag, fountain or architectural features. Spotlights, like the one seen here, provide a more focused spread of light compared to a flood light. They can be installed on the ground, in trees, on rooftops or walls. Due to their versatility, spot lights are a favorite fixture among many of our outdoor lighting designers.
Spot lighting is frequently used when lighting statues in the backyard because the light is so targeted. Take this statue to the right, the two figures are adequately highlighted without a lot of wasted light. This is called the spread of light or light beam. The beam should be adjusted depending on the object being lit. This statue, for example, calls for a narrower spread of light than a flag on a pole may.
Here’s another example from Mead Noss, who provide outdoor lighting in Denver. The landscaping at this neighborhood entrance wasn’t conducive to outdoor lighting fixtures. The bushes were too lush and would block any light that was spread upward through it. Instead of up-lighting the sign, Mead and his team installed two spot lights that were installed above the sign, shining down on it. From signs and fountains to trees and statues, spot lighting is a key outdoor lighting technique.
In all spot lighting, it’s necessary to consider where the excess light will go. Our trained outdoor lighting designers make sure that it doesn’t shine into the client’s home, their neighbor’s home or any area where people gather for entertaining. When lights aren’t properly directed like this, it can shine into someone’s eyes.
If you have questions regarding spot lighting and how it can enhance your outdoor living spaces, please contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.
Tags: entryway lighting, fountain lighting, lighting design, low voltage outdoor lighting, outdoor lighting design, outdoor lighting perspectives, outdoor lighting technique, sign lighting, spot lighting, spot lights, statue lighting
Posted in Garden lighting, Landscape lighting, Outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Personally, candles are my go-to when I need additional lighting while entertaining outdoors. You can never go wrong with a bunch of candles of different sizes in the middle of a table. If needed, adding something to the table around the candles will give it the extra something special. This weekend, I purchased some simple red, white and blue stars that I’ll place around the table. The candlelight will reflect beautifully of them for a shimmery finish.
