Outdoor Illumination

Olde Point

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:48:33 +0000

Here is a project that we did that is close to our hearts as it is also close to our home. This beautiful estate is on Olde Point Golf Course in Hampstead, NC. This was another one of our partnerships with Landscapes Unique and once again they helped to provide quite a palette to work with. Obviously a favorite feature here is the pergola in the backyard which we lit using brass well lights that have been carved into the stone floor. We created a little tunnel of light that leads visitors from front to back down a beautiful walkway which we lit with both path lights and our moonlighting technique from large oaks above. The big reveal comes at the end of that path as visitors are greeted at night by the pergola which sits right beside the golf course. Other soft lighting is used throughout to give a foresty feel to this magnificent property.

Hampton Suites, Swansboro

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:48:18 +0000

The brand new Hampton Suites hotel in Swansboro, NC opened in July of 2011 and Outdoor Illumination was there to light it up. The owners asked for a subtle approach to the lighting and Outdoor Illumination delivered. Most hotels use glaring, intense high voltage lighting but we went with a different approach. We used low voltage lighting which lowers monthly electric bills coupled with infra-red lamps which provided the necessary lumen output to reach up the four-story columns of the hotel. The finishing touch was put on the pool area by installing low voltage column lights around the pool. Instead of glaring lights, hotel guests enjoy basking in the soft glow of the lighting at night while taking in a night-time swim.

Homewood Suites, Mayfaire

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:30:53 +0000

The Homewood Suites at Mayfaire called in Outdoor Illumination to brighten up the pool area at night which is a huge focus for the entire hotel. The pool area includes a dining area, large swimming pool, Jacuzzi, outdoor large screen TV, barbeque, and even a putting green!—all of which is surrounded by a series of over 40 large sabal palms throughout the grounds. We used a series of techniques including uplighting, downlighting and path lighting throughout. The Homewood Suites is a beautiful hotel but we’re a bit partial to visiting at night!

The New Hanover County Arboretum

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:18:38 +0000

Outdoor Illumination was called in to light the Ability Garden and the pond area at the Arboretum. From the pictures, you’ll see how we provided the moonlighting approach that we are known for. A single 50 watt 60 degree infra-red lamp sits 40 feet up on a branch that provides beautiful, soft lighting on the deck at the Ability Garden. We also lit the pond area in the back so now everyone can enjoy the Arboretum at night as well as day!

Caribbean Plantation

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:14:44 +0000

This exciting project involved the installation of over 100 fixtures and five transformers. The plan included a loggia, swimming pool, herb garden, sundial, tropical palms and live oaks to mention a few of the lighting elements. Also one of the largest stone benches you could possibly imagine. We up-lit the loggia using well lights, used copper path lights in the herb garden and a tight beamed spot light to bring focus to the sundial. We used a combination of various wattages for the live oaks and palms and our famous “moonlighting” technique throughout the yard. Much thanks to our partners on this one, Donna Ray Mitchell, Landscape Architect and Dave Thomas, DP Thomas Builders.

Wrightsville Beach (North End)

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:08:42 +0000

Working with our partners, Landscapes Unique, we approached this one keeping in mind that the pool was the focal point in the yard. Every element of our design was to complement the pool, not compete with it. We used an uplighting technique on the palms, but we also came down from the palms as well to “moonlight” the pool walking surface. We also up-lit the palms near the fire pit and used path lights to help guide people back from a beach walk at night.

St. James Plantation

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:04:22 +0000

Another one of our St. James projects, this beautiful estate features a row of beautiful crape myrtles at the drive and river birches and live oaks throughout the yard. We hand-built a special light that fit nicely into the small Japanese pagoda near the front steps. We also got to work with our great friends from Cape Fear Water Gardens on a beautiful pond and waterfall out back. We incorporated LED lights in the pond and complemented them by using our “moonlighting” technique from the live oak above the pond.

St. James Plantation

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:58:27 +0000

There were several interesting characteristics with this estate which included river birches out front, a live oak with a large rock sitting next to it, a bocce court in the back, along with “Puff” an imported dragon statuary from China. On a fun side note here: the most powerful type of Chinese dragon is the horned dragon, or lung. The Emperor used its power so it is sometimes termed “the Emperor’s Dragon.” Puff is a horned dragon. The nine major characteristics that Puff displays include a head like a camel’s, horns like a deer’s, eyes like a hare’s, ears like a bull’s, a neck like an iguana’s, a belly like a frog’s, scales like a carp’s, paws like a tiger’s, and claws like an eagle’s. It has a pair of large canine teeth in its upper jaw and long, tendril-like whiskers extending from either side of its mouth. The design approach was to go for balance without over-emphasizing any one feature. Well, okay, maybe Puff did get some special attention, but he blends in magnificently into the back trees and the golf course off in the distance. (Please notice how we got his shadow to show up on the pine behind him.) We placed the bocce lights on a separate circuit so our client can switch the lights on and off for games. Another great partnership project with our friends from Landscapes Unique!

Brunswick Forest and Cape Fear National

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:37:54 +0000

We were first asked to have a look at the entrance at Brunswick Forest several years ago by our partners at Haden-Stanziale, one of the country’s premiere landscape architecture firms. The client wasn’t satisfied with the original design, so Outdoor Illumination was asked to come in and help out. After lots of research, questions, and site visits, we were able to deliver a new design that met all of the client’s expectations. In fact, they were so pleased that they asked us to provide the lighting design and installation for the Cape Fear National, a Tim Cate-designed golf course located within the gates of Brunswick Forest. We continue to enjoy our relationship with Brunswick Forest, Cape Fear National and Tim Cate, and more projects are on the horizon. Stay tuned….

Seapath Estates

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:36:21 +0000

Outdoor Illumination was called upon for three projects in the beautiful Seapath Estates section of Wrightsville Beach. Originally, a very poorly lit community, we were asked to come up with a lighting design for the entrance as well as two beautiful waterfront homes. The entrance landscape design used a triangular approach with palms and a short wall to the right, a feature palm and estate signage to the left, and a series of large sabal palms that greeted the community and their visitors as they entered the area. Using a combination of wall wash lighting and uplighting on the sides, and narrow beam-spread spot lighting on the tall sabal palms, the community had a new elegant nighttime look. Next up, two beautiful waterfront estates. Using every trick in our playbook: uplighting, downlighting, moonlighting, path lighting, underwater lighting, spread lighting and custom lighting, we crafted a design for the side by side properties that was unique to each, yet complemented each other perfectly. For some of the palm lighting, it looks as though the trees are shared with trees lit in a 360 degree manner. Other lighting helped to clearly define one estate from the other. Ponds, waterfalls, benches, a rock deck, a wall of podocarpus, wax myrtles, and more come to life at night to create a tasteful yet dramatic experience with an eye on safety and security as well.