Replies

1. 
   JohnSprung | Jul 30, 2002 09:40pm | #1

   Where are you located?  In Los Angeles, Bieber Lighting makes and installs high end outdoor lighting -- they do the tennis courts of the stars, that kind of stuff.  They have some very clean, simple modern designs.  I can probably find Ricc Bieber's e-mail address if you want.

   -- J.S.

1. 
   Photog | Jul 30, 2002 11:35pm | #2

   Thanks for the reply. I was able to find their website ( http://www.bieberlighting.com ), but all of their stuff is very commercial looking...the kind of stuff you'd find at office buildings and hotels, etc.

   Maybe I'm asking for too much from what is essentially a fixture that is intended to perform a specific function and not necessarily look 'pretty'. But, what I'm really looking for is something that will fit in with the 'country cottage' style of our home yet still be up to the task of effectively illuminating the back yard that serves as our primary point of entry.

   Failing that, it doesn't even necessarily have to 'fit the style'...just be of a design that sort of fades into the woodwork and doesn't scream 'Hey! Look at me! Up Here! I'm a big, ugly flood light!'

   Thanks again for the help.

   Anyone else got any ideas?

1. 
   PhillGiles | Jul 31, 2002 12:01am | #3

   Not sure if this will fit into a rustic setting; but, I had a customer with a Georgian repro that wanted spots, but hated the look. I was able to get some large wall-lamps (sort-of half-way between a carriage lamp and a brassier, these were designed for 3 incandescent bulbs) that had antiqued yellow lenses and mounted a small low-voltage spot-light and two low-voltage bulbs in small bubble fixtures into each. I cut a hole in the lens where the spot-light shines through. By putting a low-voltage bulb on either side of the spot it hides the spot and makes the lamps look functional; however, when the spots are on, there's absolutely no hiding where they are, but the effect is fairly subtle..

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

2. 
   akaCamiA | Jul 31, 2002 12:20am | #4

   All right, I'll take a stab in the dark, so to speak...How about thinking of the exterior lighting scheme like you do the interior? You don't use one light, on one wall, to light the entire room, especially one as big as the yard.

   How about using something like this for your over-the-door light:

   View Image

   Then illuminate your pathways with a few pole-mounted fixtures:

   View Image

   Put in a few uplights to illuminate the landscaping:

   View Image

   A few lights for the handrails:

   View Image

   And, of course, an illuminated rock:

   View ImageOk, maybe not the rock, but you get the idea. Photos snagged from Lighting Showplace.

   ...get an up-north attitude...

3. 
   JohnSprung | Jul 31, 2002 01:10am | #5

   Well, if you can't find something that fits in with the look you want, the next idea is to use something that's readily available, and come up with a way to hide it.  Perhaps something at ground level, hidden by plants, and bounced off a wall -- that would give you soft, even light.  One big mistake in outdoor lighting is to have small areas of bright light.  Evenness is more important than brightness.

   -- J.S.