Endless benefits abound with Nashville backyard lighting!

Posted on February 1, 2016 by outdoorlightingnashville

The best way to make your backyard look and feel like an outdoor oasis is to think about your illumination plan BEYOND the front door. If all you have is a light at your entryway and a few fixtures casting a harsh light on your home’s façade and a blaring flood light on your driveway–you are missing out a whole outdoor lighting experience that can enhance your outdoor lifestyle tremendously!

Hardworking families are spending more and more hours at the office, doing homework and running around with endless activities—and most people don’t get home until well after the sun has set. The only way to nurture time with family and friends after dusk is by lighting up the areas in your backyard you enjoy spending time. Make your outdoor space just as useable as your indoor spaces by thinking of your outdoor landscape illumination in the same you do about inside lighting.

Lots of people seem to ignore their backyards as an extension of real estate that is available for evening entertaining with their family and friends. It’s possible to light up the entire perimeter of your property and make your deck or patio a place that is just as comfortable and welcoming as your living room thanks to an outdoor lighting scheme that will make your outdoor spaces highly functional. Why sit cooped inside with the kids when everyone can be having just as much fun outdoors and getting a good dose of fresh air? Get everyone off the computer and TV and get everyone outside for family bonding and memories.

Our energy-efficient LED outdoor lighting uses very little power and brings in plenty of light so that you can hang out doing all the things your family loves to do like playing a game of football on the lawn, some Scrabble by the fire pit or dining al’ fresco while Dad is flipping burgers under some good task lighting at the grill. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville’s outdoor lighting systems are programmable, so they are designed to work to fit your lifestyle. We place lights where you need them so you can make the most out of each backyard zone that your family and friends hang out. We can drape decorative festival lighting across large expanses such as your patio or deck so that you’ve got good overhead lighting that is both elegant and practical.

We also go beyond just pathway, task and façade lighting, too. We have artistic lights that add incredible drama and personality to your evenings as well. Even if it’s raining or cold outside, you can enjoy a gorgeous view of your wonderful backyard from your windows. We can highlight special features such as a water feature, your pool, an outdoor sculpture or a fabulous ornamental tree.

Good outdoor lighting changes the way you live, brings your family outdoors to gather and gives you added space to enjoy what feels a lot like a stay-cation when you get home from work and school. Let Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville create a relaxing outdoor oasis of relaxation in your backyard through romantic outdoor lighting! You can call us at (615) 373 – 0638, or by emailing us at: olpnashville@outdoorlights.com.

Matt Oakes of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Chase away the winter blues with beautiful backyard views through outdoor lighting!

Posted on December 14, 2015 by outdoorlightingnashville

If you are looking out your home’s back windows and there is a dark void, you are missing a fabulous opportunity to extend the dimension, depth and view of your backyard through the use of professional landscape lighting. Wouldn’t you rather see your entire backyard elegantly illuminated so you can still enjoy it on a cool night while you are sitting in the comfort of your home with a good book in your hand?

Many of our customers come to us only thinking about adding outdoor landscape lighting to the front of their home, or only adding architectural lighting to their home’s front facade. However, there is a big missed opportunity right out your living room and kitchen windows where the addition of outdoor lighting would benefit. A lifeless winter landscape can get a good dose of drama with outdoor lighting that can make every season look like an evening postcard from your windows. We can uplight your tree branches to give them an exciting and ethereal look that will make them dazzle even though they are bare of leaves. We can even add a downlit moonlight effect that can make your lawn shimmer and play up interesting shadows.

Outdoor lighting enhances your landscape during all seasons!

Backyard landscape lighting can unify your garden beds and make the perimeter of your property seem much larger than it actually is. We can illuminate walking paths, arbors and arches to give them a fairytale appeal that makes you wonder what could be on the other side. We can give your patio or hardscape a theatrical feel by casting a wash of light on stone or brick so that your yard bounces with texture. We can also make a water feature, outdoor fireplace or even a beloved outdoor sculpture pop in the dark of night so that it stands out and can be appreciated at all hours.

At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville we feel there is no reason to have a boring back yard when the opportunity to make a splashy effect can be appreciated during every season of the year. You and your family can enjoy the first blooms of spring, the colorful riot of leaves turning scarlet and gold in autumn and the hauntingly beautiful branches of barren trees dancing in the winter wind. You can also watch the wildlife that inhabits your backyard in the evening hours. Relish in a gorgeous back landscape whether you are indoors or out by always showcasing a fabulous view from any window in your home to the delight of your family and visitors.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville will help you with an outdoor landscape lighting design that will capture mood and ambiance that you can delight in if you are working late in your home office, washing dishes in the kitchen or just hanging out with the kids on the couch. Gazing outside even on a wintry, chilly night over all the facets of your back yard is sure to put you in a relaxing mood no matter what’s gone on that day. Let us show you how to paint a dazzling picture of your property with the use of artistically placed light.

Matt Oakes of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville to bring your landscape to life in all seasons. You can call us at (615) 373 – 0638, or by emailing us at: olpnashville@outdoorlights.com.

Labor Day Party Planning is in Gear! Get your Lighting Updated Now for Evening Fun!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by outdoorlightingnashville

Labor Day is right around the corner!

Labor Day is just around the corner and it’s the last big outdoor hurrah of the summer season. With the days getting shorter and nightfall making an earlier entrance, make sure your outside living area gets special treatment so that your holiday weekend party can continue well into the evening hours.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville can tackle the job of maintaining your existing system, adding to it or installing a brand new lighting program from scratch. We can put you on the schedule right now for a pre-Labor Day inspection so you are ready for your outdoor family gathering.

First, we make sure your system is working properly and that any burned out bulbs are replaced. This is a great time to consider converting your old-school halogens to all LED lighting since the bulbs last way longer and they consume a lot less electricity. We come in and check all your wiring and make sure it’s all intact and we re-bury any wire that has made its way to the surface due to any landscape activity or rain. We check all your fixtures to make sure they are in good shape, aligned properly, and free of dirt or spider webs, and we can trim any plant overgrowth that blocks the beam of light. We check your transformer to make sure that it is carrying the load of wattage properly and that your timer is functioning as it should, too.

Now is a good time to decide if you want to add additional light to enhance your system or perhaps you feel that an upgrade is necessary. We can give you a whole different look in terms of ambience and mood if you are simply ready for a change in how your home and property are illuminated. We can take a look at where family and friends primarily hang out in your backyard and make sure that those spots are lit up so they not only look beautiful, but they are also safe from being too dim to avoid slip and falls. Lighting a step up or down to a patio or deck, for example, is a great spot for light so that guests can easily navigate it. We ensure your pathways from your driveway to your yard are visible enough for visitors to be able to walk on safely, too. Keep in mind that if it’s hard to see, your guests will just naturally head indoors—so keep things visible enough so that guests feel comfortable continuing the outdoor celebration.

Since cooking and dining is a given on Labor Day, we will make sure your outdoor kitchen or barbecue area is lit so that the home cook can work his or her culinary magic easily and guests can also see clearly enough to grab a drink and see their plates. We do this without harsh, blaring spotlights that were used decades ago and skillfully provide illumination so that the area still looks completely natural and part of the rest of your landscape.

If your pool is a natural hang out for your Labor Day festivities, we will make sure your pool deck or patio is spectacularly lit up so the fun doesn’t have to stop in the twilight hours. We can light the landscape areas around your pool or pond to give this area incredible dimension and draw people to it. September is a great time to hang by your fire pit, so we can elegantly wash this area with a warm light that will pull guests like fireflies to it. One of our favorite lighting techniques to use is to mimic the effect of moonlight, and we strategically hide a few key fixtures higher up in the trees to generate this same look so that the light sparkles through the leaves in an enchanting fairytale manner. We can set any mood you want and bathe your yard in gorgeous lighting that will truly wow you, and your guests.

Matt Oakes of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Give Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville a call so we can put you on the schedule now so that you will be ready for the Labor Day festivities! You can call us at (615) 373 – 0638, or by emailing us at: olpnashville@outdoorlights.com

Choosing the right tree and the right lighting element are key to beautiful tree lighting.

Posted on March 21, 2012 by outdoorlightingnashville

We lit the driveway with moonlights in the trees along the right side of this driveway for drama in the evening.

Trees are one of the most important parts of a beautiful landscape. They offer shade, screening, create a focal point of interest and serve as a backdrop of inspiration to other landscaping and outdoor structures. One way to create a landscape that sizzles with beauty and visual interest is to entail the use of tree lighting into your outdoor lighting design. In the Nashville area trees are among many of our scenic treasures and we have become experts at helping homeowners decide the perfect specimen tree in their landscape as a candidate for lighting.

Our tree lighting formula can accentuate the height, width and canopy of the tree. What elements we include into lighting your individual conifer all depend on the tree itself. The shape, size and spread of the trees branches can come to life at night easily with the use of one or more of our tree lighting elements. In our experience the trees that benefit the most from tree lighting and make the most impact, or “bang for your buck”, if you will, are trees with spreading canopies. Trees that offer full spread or “vase” canopies, which means the branches spread upright, also some weeping species make the best trees to light in your landscape. With spreading canopies, there is more room to play the light up and down through the limbs of the canopy itself. Bushier, thick limbed, columnar trees offer little room for enhancement through tree lighting.

We lit the entry to this driveway from the ginkgo tree, which is a focal point of this landscape.

Moonlighting is also a viable option in tree lighting that uses the upper branches of the tree to cast light into the lower branches to light a path, or other point of interest in correlation with the tree itself. The term “moonlighting” itself lends to thoughts of mystery and romance, and that is exactly the type of light moonlighting emits. A type of unforgettable light that uses depth to cast a glow full of ambiance and haunting beauty.

If you are wondering which trees you may have in your yard that would make perfect candidates for tree lighting, we have compiled a summary of some of the trees that we often see here in the Nashville area that look beautiful with the addition of outdoor tree lighting. Many varieties of Maples, Oaks , Ginkgo trees and ornamental cherry trees definitely fit the bill. Other good species include the Hackberry, Elms and Birch trees. If you are fortunate enough to have one of the weeping varieties of trees like weeping Birches, weeping Maples and weeping Cherry trees their unique form and branching can become a focus of drama in your landscape with tree lighting.

Tree lighting Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Specimens with spreading, or complimentary, canopies make the best candidate for tree lighting in your landscape.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville can design an outdoor lighting plan that takes your home and landscape to another level, including the use of tree lighting within your landscape. To learn more, or to set up a night-time demonstration contact us at (615) 373 – 0638 or email us at olpnashville@outdoorlights.com

John Groce Outdoor Lighting Perspectives Nashville

Visit our landscape and garden lighting galleries located on our website for more example of tree lighting at it’s best.

Historic home in Murfreesboro, TN makes new history with a lighting installation by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Posted on July 22, 2011 by John Groce

Historic residence in Murfreesboro, TN

With a historic home like this one in Murfreesboro, TN the past speaks to us through its colonial revival architecture and character of yesteryear. The owners of this 1926 home, which is registered on the national register of historic places recently contracted Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville to add lighting to the already profoundly stunning home.

Colonial revival style homes are characterized by crown pediments, elaborate front entries most often seen with the use of columns, and symmetrical front facades. It is an honor to be asked to accentuate this homes already beautiful presence.

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You can barely see the well lighting that illuminates this beautiful corner column wrapped by nature with beautiful green ivy

The homeowners wanted a well-rounded design that complimented their landscaping and a design that required as little maintenance as possible. We used a combination of low maintenance and energy-efficient LED lighting, regular architectural lighting, landscape lighting and moonlighting strategically placed throughout the landscape to cast an ethereal glow. Our LED’s carry a lifetime warranty. The system will still require an annual visit to make sure everything is running smoothly.

LED outdoor lighting Nashville with smoke colored acrylic lens

The homeowners wanted to showcase the homes colonial revival architecture in a relaxed, more subdued manner. We were able to achieve this by using well lights with low-wattage bulbs and using a “smoke” acrylic lens color on the well lights. The result is elegant and understated, the perfect coupling for the homes details to shine through.

The landscaping around this residence is as breathtaking as the home itself. We wanted to make sure that the landscaping got the attention it deserved, but in a soft manner, letting the planting speak for themselves. We applied moonlights to compliment all the beautiful Hosta lilies within the shade garden. We also applied focal moonlighting to a large tree in the back as well.

This home is a masterpiece in itself, the lighting application had to be on the same level to bring out the homes architecture and gorgeous grounds in a tasteful, understated elegance. It looks like 1926 was a great year for architecture and 2011 is a good year for elegant outdoor lighting.

John Groce - Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville to find out what a difference outdoor lighting can make at your residence. (615) 373 – 0638
email: olpnashville@outdoorlights.com

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville makes sure your outdoor lighting fits to a T

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Michael Wynn

Nashville Outdoor Lighting - Architectural Outdoor Lighting

Maybe you’re not quite old enough to remember the early 80’s risqué’ blue jean advertisements of Brooke Shields telling the world that nothing comes between her and her Calvins. Even today, designers of denim tout about how they have the perfect jean to fit any figure…long or short legs, small or large hips, and all body shapes and sizes. The same can be said for what type of outdoor lighting is the best “fit” for you home. One size does not fit all.

When you speak the language of outdoor lighting you take into consideration your homes length, width and depth. For example on an artist’s palette you may have hues of red, blues and greens. The amount of each color the painter will use on his canvas will depend on what he is painting. For instance, if he is painting a landscape, chances are the artist would use predominately greens. Would the artist be able to use those same greens to achieve a rendering of an autumn sunset? Of course not, that is why this analogy shows that the same lighting design and application does not work on homes with different dimensions or architectural styles. Each home is different and individual and should be treated as such when it comes to designing the outdoor lighting.

Outdoor Lighting Perespectives of Nashville uses architectural lighting to accentuate this homes distinctive features

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville uses architectural lighting to accentuate this homes distinctive features

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville designs an outdoor lighting application that accentuates your homes individual “curves”, just like a good pair of jeans on your body should. A small ranch style home would have a much different outdoor lighting design than a larger custom-built home would. A typical ranch style home is a good package to focus on the width of the home, because in most cases a ranch reflects a longer design. With this style of home you want to use outdoor lighting to add depth, so it’s not a one-dimensional flat canvas. A good lighting design would incorporate smaller trees closer to the home and the outward landscaping of the home to accentuate the homes curves as well. Creating depth is not always about the features of the home but also using a homes unique landscaping to create depth.

Outdoor Lighting by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Proper outdoor lighting on larger, custom-built homes begins with focusing on the width of the home as well. In most cases this type of home will not be flat across the front. With custom homes you want to stretch the width with the use of light to accentuate any peaks, eaves or arches and maximize their uniqueness and beauty. Illuminating across the front of the homes exterior and accentuating the homes height is key to maximizing the home’s beauty as well. We like to pick out vegetation to the left and right of the home so it flanks the home and frames the entire picture. This type of design also lets people know that when they drive past your home it looks even larger with properly placed and applied outdoor lighting. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville also uses architectural features such as stonework, retaining walls or any specialty element to create shadow and depth. One crucial thing that most often gets overlooked in outdoor lighting illuminating the dormers on a home, this is important in allowing your outdoor lighting application to achieve height and balance.

This gazebo comes to life at night within the landscape with outdoor lighting

When it comes to lighting backyard scenarios we generally consult with the homeowner to find out where they spend most of their time in the backyard. We will sit on the patio or at a table on the covered porch of a prospective client and take different aspects of the landscape and vegetation into consideration in order to frame and light these areas with a room type atmosphere, so your eye never really stops. We can even illuminate certain trees to accentuate their colors, like a Japanese maple, or create a canopy by lighting tall trees. The effects that can be created by lighting a backyard landscape can be breathtaking. We always strive to get that “perfect fit” for you with all aspects of lighting your property.

If you are ready to take your outdoor lighting to a new level of beautiful with expert design and installation, contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville to learn more. (615) 373 – 0638 olpnashville@outdoorlights.com

Moonlighting in Nashville’s Belle Meade Anyone?

Posted on May 30, 2011 by John Groce

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The stately trees that grace this driveway for our customer in Belle Meade are perfect for moonlighting

The art of moonlighting is a creative medium in itself. The type of illumination that comes from moonlighting gives off an ethereal effect that cannot be duplicated by any other lighting technique. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville was recently selected to install moonlighting for an owner in Belle Meade.

The homeowner wanted to illuminate the driveway. Here at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville we try to avoid having a fixture out in the open because not only does it become a tripping hazard it is susceptible to damage from mowers, aerators, edgers and other machinery. We suggested moonlighting the large trees that grace the driveway, this would effectively light the long driveway and give a soothing, romantic light as well.

The homeowner allowed John Groce of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville to serve as contractor on the job, thus we were able to line up the electrician and the irrigation company to under the sidewalk. The electrician had already been there previously and ran power to the trees. Sandra Nichols Landscaping was the landscaper on the job and we worked hand in hand during the progression.

Landscape lighting by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Since the electrician had run power from the house to the trees there is a receptacle at the trees. These are done on all 120 volt, line voltage and is a different fixture which uses a ballast to power the bulbs. The bulbs are all ceramic metal halide. Ceramic metal halide are the same type of bulbs used in jewelry and grocery stores and are coveted for their high score on the CRI (color rendering index). The light itself is still low-wattage, at only 39 watts, they still put out an enormous amount of light. As an example of the amount and quality these lights emit, you could hold 30 pieces of blue string in all variations in your hand, and in the noon day sun you could clearly see each variation from string to string. The same clarity is apparent under the moonlighting as well.

We are planning on using the current timer the customer has inside the home to hook in the moonlights for control. We had previously completed the lighting in this customers backyard as well.

Outdoor_lighting_Nashville_and_Sandra_Nicols_Landscaping_often_partner

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville worked hand-in-hand with Sandra Nichols Landscaping

Just as we had previously worked with this homeowner before, we enjoyed working with her once again on this moonlighting application. We want to commend Sandra Nichols Landscaping as well. This very stately driveway on this very stately property is now complete with the ambiance of the moonlighting, another job well done!

John Groce - Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of adding moonlighting to your property, or other outdoor lighting applications, contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville today at 615-373-0638 or email us @http://nashville.outdoorlights.com/

Moonlight and Westhaven Make the Perfect Pair Thanks to Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Posted on May 24, 2011 by outdoorlightingnashville

Outdoor Lighting accentuates the beauty and architecture of this home

If two words could sum up the lighting application on this home in Westhaven they would have to be entrancing and ethereal. This home is situated on a corner lot and is close to the neighborhood clubhouse. Several angles to illuminate and a complicated roofline made this home a design challenge. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville took the challenge in stride and the end project of this home at night is truly breathtaking.

Side view which shows how lighting accentuates the height and depth of this home

We accentuated the width and the height of the home by using well lights placed strategically so they cast a side glow and singled out certain architectural features of the home. Well lights are one of the best lights to use when focusing on architecture. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville uses these type of lights in many of its designs, and precision placement ensures the homeowner is not met by the light intruding in through a window. We also strive to focus on the effect that a light produces, rather than the light itself. This is why discreet placement of fixtures is key.

This daytime photo shows the complicated roofline The roof line of this home in Westhaven presented some interesting challenges for us. From the curb side looking at the house we did up lighting and from the house side we did downlighting. We also placed lights on the upper gable of the home as well on the second story to illuminate the columns on the second floor. Roof line lighting is challenging in itself, but Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville went a step furtherNotice the down lights on this tree to provide moonlighting, or shadow lighting

By attaching lights to the trees on the side of this home. We used up lighting as well as down lighting to illuminate not only the trees but the homes facade as well. Lighting in the trees also served to cast moon lighting, also known as shadow lighting onto the walkway below. This application adds safety, beauty, depth and dimension to this area.

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These copper stake lights age to a beautiful rustic patino over time

Not a single stone was left unturned when it came to beautifully illuminating this home. We even added soffit lights in the covered patio. These soffit lights are tied into the LCA (lighting control automation) of the homes lighting system to add worry free, no hassle operation to the list of positives this home has.

The whole effect the lighting gives is one which you don’t want to turn away from. Even during the day the lighting still entrances you, notice the beautiful aged patina of the copper path lights.

This photo shows the importance of accentuating a homes architectural breaks

If you are ready to see what the evening holds in store for your home by adding outdoor lighting, give Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville a call. We can set up a night-time demonstration to show you what moonlighting can do for your landscape. 615- 373-0638, or you can email us @ http://nashville.outdoorlights.com/

In Slow Economy, Trade Alliances Shine

Posted on February 5, 2010 by John Groce

It’s no great surprise that early winter months can be trying for any company involved in an outdoor industry. We all try different tactics to generate leads and revenue dollars. But do not overlook the obvious. Trade alliances accelerate and sustain success.

Recently we had the opportunity to install an architectural lighting design at the home of Nancy Moore, owner of The Porch Company. Nancy and I became acquainted last year when she joined Residential Resources , a Nashville based networking group. I’m thankful for every job Nancy and I worked on in the past year and was especially excited to be included on the recent project at her personal residence. Nancy also hired Siteworks , an industry leader in hardscape design and installation. Joe Hamilton and team reworked the paver walkway, built a stone retaining wall, and blended the overall scene by incorporating boulders. We applied the finishing touches with a series of copper wall lights and moonlighting, achieving aesthetics and function. Special thanks to Paul Moore, of J. Paul Moore Photography for providing us with the pictures.

Click here to see the entire photo gallery

John Groce – Senior Designer for Outdoor Lighting Perspectives Nashville

Nashville Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

Landscape, residential & commercial lighting for over 20 years

Tag Archives: moonlighting

Endless benefits abound with Nashville backyard lighting!

Chase away the winter blues with beautiful backyard views through outdoor lighting!

Labor Day Party Planning is in Gear! Get your Lighting Updated Now for Evening Fun!

Choosing the right tree and the right lighting element are key to beautiful tree lighting.

Historic home in Murfreesboro, TN makes new history with a lighting installation by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville makes sure your outdoor lighting fits to a T

Moonlighting in Nashville’s Belle Meade Anyone?

Moonlight and Westhaven Make the Perfect Pair Thanks to Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Nashville

In Slow Economy, Trade Alliances Shine