LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SERIES-I

I have had 2 new clients in the last week approach me about lighting in their gardens. One request was for a lighting plan 2 years after the installation was completed. Unfortunately, this is far too typical a scenario. Lighting is usually an after thought in the design plan, but can make such a difference in extending the beauty and use of a space. Lighting is a very effective way to create a mood or atmosphere within your garden. Lighting is also a fantastic way to create views into and from the garden that are completely different from your daytime aspect.

There are three basic purposes for landscape lighting:

• Providing Safety- Paths and steps, pool lighting, entryways
• Security-Serves as a deterrent for potential intrusion
• Aesthetics-Creates views from the interior, allows for evening enjoyment of the space

Taking into account any or all of the above, a landscape designer will create a lighting plan based upon your lifestyle and within your budget. Specific areas, such as a front entrance or steps will need to focus on safety aspects, but overall the effect should be aesthetically driven.

The best time to install or update any existing lighting is during the construction while the site is already under disruption. This is especially important if you are installing high voltage lighting (120v) that is controlled from the inside in which lines need to be buried.

How to Choose:

• The moon and the stars should be your first choice of illumination, but your lighting may be limited on a cloudy evening!

• The second choice of illumination should be your house. The glow that emerges from inside and outside your home should be a prime source of lighting.

Factors to consider:

• Views from both inside and outside the house
• Architectural scale and style of your property
• Architectural scale and style of your home
• Areas to be lit
• Formal vs Informal
• Daytime appearance of fixtures

The most important consideration after these practical aspects are addressed is how you will use the space which will be discussed in Part II of the series.

Good Design Matters

Good Design Matters! The quality of our environment affects our health and spirit. Gardens are points of connection, grounding, and continuity. Well loved spaces, indoors or out, heighten our living experience. Nature should be interpreted in designed spaces, not imitated.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN GOOD DESIGN

Spatial Balance

All the elements (including the house!) relate to each other and to the surrounding landscape.

Scale and Proportion

A skillful delineation of space and combination of details in which nature is interpreted, not imitated.

Structures that add balance

and are in harmony, with no one object either too prominent or deficient

Consistent Style

Your garden like your home is a place for self- expression and personal choice. Well-made gardens and landscapes are those that are individually styled to best suit the owner.

The language of design is universal and is much different from the response we have to style, which is highly individual. We all want our spaces to be highly individual and also have great design.

Functionality

The space needs to be capable of serving the purpose for which it was designed. ie., A path can be beautiful but if a secondary path develops as a result of people choosing to walk in the most direct dirsction than it isn't functional!

Appropriate Planting

Plantings that are suitable and harmonize with the surrounding landscape provide a sense of calmness and peace. Indigenous (not necessarily native!) to the region and the site create a"low maintenance" landscape.

In a well-designed space, all of the elements click and that results in a distinctive, calming feeling. Yet it is difficult to define any one specific aspect that produces this effect. That is great design. The sum is greater that the parts. A seamless communication exists between the built elements and the natural elements. A wonderful magic takes place when one is drawn into that exchange.

Some Examples-

Proportional and good use of a difficult space Probably NOT the best use of the space

Balance, structure, planting See the difference?

all working together

This structure is perfectly sited

Just HAD to include this because I have never really seen anything quite like it!

Complimentary Landscape Design Consultation

Now is the time to design your garden for next spring. Take advantage of a complimentary at-home consultation.

Realize your properties full potential, whether focusing on a master plan, planting project, terrace or lighting.

Please contact:

Christine Krause Landscape Design

860-453-4009

christine@christinekrausedesign.com