Turning Nature into Art
We think of vast, sprawling lawns to be part of our domestic landscape, and it is very traditional to think that way. We also think of feral trees, or carefully trimmed and trained trees and bushes (topiary) as part of that scheme.
Sometimes we forget that everything we create on our property falls into the category of landscaping, from rock fences, to reflecting pools; from raised-bed gardens to white picket fences; from the long curving sweep of a driveway right up to the architectural style of our houses, garages, and other outbuildings.
Lighting for Safety
Although light has a decorative function, its primary purpose is safety and functionality. We light our stairways so we don’t trip and fall in the dark; we light our driveways at night so we don’t run over people, pets, and livestock.
That’s just fundamental, and for that purpose, a flaming torch would suffice. As a society we’ve grown beyond flaming torches, so talk to Illuminations Lighting Design about giving you better lighting with flair rather than flare.
You can see stunning examples in our gallery of outdoor lighting, and read attestations by our customers who love to share their pleasure at our success.
Traditional Landscape Lighting
Traditional outdoor lighting for large areas has been very harsh, dominated by high and low pressure sodium or mercury vapor lights. The reasoning is that these sources last a long time, and provide a large volume of light.
They also draw a lot of current, are individually expensive to replace, have a very limited spectrum, and possess fundamental flaws in their design. One such flaw is that if the power is interrupted even briefly, they simply shut down for several minutes until they cool off. Eventually they can start again, but what are your guests at the garden party going to do in the dark for 5 or 10 minutes while your bulbs are cooling off?
The New Normal
LED light sources are just as capable of providing a large volume of light if required, but they can provide such light in full-spectrum daylight, afternoon warmth, rosy sunrises or sunsets, or even as slowly evolving colored fairy lights to lend an enchantment to your garden party.
And when it comes to your architectural lighting, do you really want to look like the 150 year old museum downtown with its stark, actinic white, orangey-pink, or yellow light coming from ground-mounted fixtures? That clearly isn’t the best choice.
Hidden or phantom light along the eaves, around columned entranceways, behind shrubbery, and elsewhere emphasizes archways, window boxes, turrets, flying buttresses, or whatever you have. Properly done, it even draws the eye away from features that you don’t like.
Security
And if you do experience a power interruption (and in this area, you will), LED lighting can use up to 90% less energy than traditional sources. That’s a much smaller burden on your emergency backup Power System, at a time when it is really important to see what’s going on around you!
Economical, Long-Lasting
Better yet, nothing we have invented yet is as durable as an LED fixture. Commercial grade outdoor LED fixtures can last 200,000 hours in continuous operation. That approaches half a century of reliable service, with no ladders, or bulb changes, if you only operate them for 12 hours per day.
Despite this, they are not expensive—they’re simply better than other available choices. Who would have thought that fully functional, reliable light fixtures would form a part of your inheritance to your grandchildren?
The Takeaway
Whether it’s your lawn, reflecting pool, statuary, or the beautiful architecture of your home, it can be lit better, more economically, more attractively, and more durably than it is now. Don’t let your home vanish into the darkness every time the sun sets.
You may light the house and property for the benefit of guests and visitors, but it’s important for your own use too, because you don’t want to be stumbling around in the dark.
We are experienced, licensed electricians and designers who will do the job you expect without emptying your bank account! Since there are so many ways do a job incorrectly, we urge you to call us, because…
We’ll do it right!
We would love to hear from you, so pick up the phone and give us a call at 713-863-1133 or toll free at 800-863-1184, so you can learn more about our fine company before we begin your journey towards perfect landscape and architectural lighting.
Take a moment to schedule a design consultation or visit us on Facebook to learn more about our lighting and electrical services. We’d love to hear from you!
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