Night Light, Inc.

Home Improvement Professionals , Landscape Contractors
77 Reviews
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Night Light, Inc.
77 Reviews

Charm After Dark

Landscape lighting unifies the newly-built home to its traditional American neighborhood setting as it emphasizes the eternal quality of numerous tall trees. Utilizing time-tested techniques and specialized technologies, the landscape illumination contractor was able to portray the form and structure of key legacy trees in scale with the height and size of the house for visual equilibrium after dark.

The lighting plan was developed before the landscape took shape in order to determine eventual power needs, locations of sleeves for electrical distribution, where access may be limited by above-ground or below-ground impediments, and methods for concealing wiring within structures.

Without any visual cues in place, the homeowners had to trust in the vision of the landscape lighting designer to develop a comprehensive plan that would embrace the home’s architectural features and shape the outdoor living experience.

A “moon-lighting” technique was utilized across broad lawn areas and paved surfaces to provide a soft wash of light over large expanses. Fixtures positioned high in the tree canopy are aimed downward through the branches which creates a dappled light effect. The color temperature of the light is a cool, bluish tone at 5500K which simulates the natural light of a full moon. Uplighting on the trees gives dimension to the branching structure and brings out the healthy green of the leaves. The residual light cast by the moon-lighting nullifies hard edges between dark and bright areas to minimize eye discomfort (as the pupil opens and closes) and unifies linear spaces for a seamless flow. Light from a tall tree at the front of the house skims the home’s peaked façade – tying the upper stories to the first story roofline, completing the composition.

Built elements such as the stone entry piers, firepit masonry, outdoor kitchen, and pergola columns are illuminated with warm-toned light (3000-3300K) which is similar to the quality of residential interior lighting for a greater sense of comfort. Combining varied light intensities, beam spread, and color temperature, the overall composition has greater dimension that connotes visual hierarchies, active from passive spaces, and distinguishes built elements from natural elements.
Project Year: 2020
Country: United States
A warm luminosity on key architectural elements moves the eye from the entry columns toward the home’s façade then back to the loggia at the end of the driveway. Cool-toned moon-lighting provides a soft fill-light between spaces to unify foreground and background.
Charm After Dark
The moon-lighting technique illuminates a sequence of outdoor living spaces with just three carefully positioned light fixtures high in adjacent trees. The light shining down through the branches paints interesting shadow patterns across the ground. With carefully planned sleeving, one 900-watt...
Charm After Dark
The character of lighting changes in transitional areas between primary spaces. The muted, bluish tones of the moon-lighting reflect off the stone and brick in an overflow space which contrasts with the bright, warm light under the loggia where pedestrian movement is more active and directional.
Charm After Dark
The lighting plan heeds the principle of “not one light too many” in achieving aesthetic and safety goals. Key features such as walkways, structures, decorative elements, and ornamental plantings are illuminated while the sources of illumination are concealed. With abundant trees, no distracting...
Charm After Dark
Tiny fixtures tucked into the rafters of the pergola accentuate the wooden structure and provide task lighting on the counters and pizza oven. Moon-lighting filters through the tree branches to preserve the outdoor ambiance of this built space. The pergola lights can be turned off for a more...
Charm After Dark
At the sitting area, one 15-watt bullet light high in the tree canopy casts dappled light on the lawn and patio while residual light from the house illuminates the steps. The landscape lighting is subdued so as not to distract from a flaming fire or watching tv.
Charm After Dark
Accent lighting across a row of Yews also illuminates the tree canopy above emphasizing the space within. Neutral or white light in the range of 4000 to 4500K yields a healthy green color from the foliage. As the plants continue to grow, selective pruning is performed.
Charm After Dark
The outdoor living spaces sparkle after dark with lighting that creates an expansive feel to the shallow rear yard. Lighting fixtures in the trees trace the verdant forms with neutral-toned light that enhances the greenery. Landscape lighting placed behind the walls works to counterbalance the...
Charm After Dark
Moon-lighting casts a gauzy glow onto the stone wall, plantings, entry walk, and stairs providing visitors with safe passage from the street to the front door. The subtlety of the landscape lighting is a measured counterpoint to the vibrant architectural lighting.
Charm After Dark
Moon-lighting addressed the homeowner’s request for light on the upper stories of the house. A fixture mounted 40’-50’ high in the Hickory tree provides indirect light that reaches the peaked roofline for an understated treatment. Trained climbers follow arborist-approved practices when installing...
Charm After Dark
Soft moon-lighting across the open lawn encourages a relaxing stroll from the house to the firepit located on the far side of the property. Neutral-toned accent lighting on the ornamental trees complements the fire’s warm radiance. Directional lighting under the coping and stair treads provides...
Charm After Dark
The home’s interesting roofline and wrap-around porch are framed by the leafy canopy of towering Hickory trees that flank the driveway. Upighting and downlighting in the trees accentuates their size creating balance with the scale of the house. An accent light illuminates the address plaque on the...
Charm After Dark