Landscape Lighting IV : END
Choice your Light and Transformer
There are many types of landscape lighting equipment to put the light right where you need it. Lighting straight carries a variety of different style of each light type, for every area or task you can think of.
For walkways and driveways:
Path light such as pole lights and hanging path lights
Silhouetting, spot lighting, grazing of textured surfaces:
Spot light, Flood lights, tree or wall-mounted lights
Up-lighting through trees out of a well or pond:
Pond light, submersible underwater light
Lights for a covered patio or gazebo:
Hanging light, hanging planter light
Functional light for decks and patios:
Rail mount, column mount, step lights
Miscellaneous lights for specific functions:
Barbecue light, sculpture lights, birdbaths
CHOOSING YOUR TRANSFORMER
when you have chosen your lights, it’s time to figure out where to put them and how to power them. That’s where a transformer, a bit of sums and a touch of creativity come into
Step 1: Add the total wattage of all fixtures
The transformer must be equal to or higher than the total watts. If you think you may add fixtures to your system in the future, a higher wattage transformer is recommended. Transformers come in a wide variety of wattages from 60-1200 watts.
Step 2: Decide where you want to install the transformer
Be sure to install the transformer near a power source or outlet, and as close to your lights as possible to minimize cable runs.
Step 3: The transformer itself
Transformers vary in style and quality. It’s up to you to choose which one is right for your lighting plan and yard.
An optional photocell for dusk-till-dawn operation and timer are excellent choices, both as an energy-saving measure and as a security precaution if you should leave town.
Most transformers are installed on an outside wall and can be either hardwired or plugged into an outlet.
Landscape Lighting III : Make Your Layout Design
Now that you’ve decided to install landscape lighting, it’s time to design your layout. With careful planning, you can eliminate any problems that may arise during the installation process.
Step 1: Where do you want to light?
Take a look at your yard at night to decide where more light is needed, then make a detailed sketch of the yard. In deciding what to illuminate, consider your existing outdoors lighting. A good place to start is your walkways and other functional and transitional areas.
Step 2: What other extras do you expect from lighting?
For example, while you’re lighting the facade of a house, you very well may illuminate bushes or trees, as well.
Step 3: Pair other professional-looking techniques
There are lots of professional-looking and popular techniques that can create a dramatic and attractive design. Lighting the front of the house has a very impressive effect and can make your house inviting at night, except to unwanted guests.
A facade lawn is an ideal and easy subject for illumination.
Trees and plants can be back-lit to create a silhouetted effect or front-lit to showcase the plant itself. If you have a tall tree, place a light at the base and shine it up through the branches. You can also hide a tree mount fixture and have it shine down on a lawn or garden.
You may consider lighting other objects of interest like a birdbath or bench. It’s generally a good idea to spread your lighting out to create even illumination throughout the yard.
A word of caution: Be careful not to over-light your landscape, since too much light might prove unattractive. The secret is to be creative and light only what you want.
Landscape ligthing II : Themes and Techniques
Landscape lighting themes vary wildly, thanks to several manufacturers providing dozens of products. Modern re-interpretations of traditional lantern lights are extremely popular today, while rustic-themed lights lend a natural touch. Classic lighting paves the way with elegance and refinement.
Path Light greet your guests with style, create just the right first impression and generate a sense of security and protection on pathways and around your home.
Deck and Rail Lights are perfect for a porch or patio.Other options for landscape lighting include Accent Lights and Flood Lights that can mount into the ground or on a wall surface or tree.
Lighting at Landscape (I): A Basic
Landscapes of almost any size and shape can be illuminate effectively with low-voltage landscape lighting. This is meant to show you how easy it is to buy and install this custom, yet cost-effective, outdoor lighting solution. With a little creativity and some gardening tools, your yard could be looking good day and night.
We always want to feel secure at home, and landscape lighting provides it in two very important ways.
- The darkness itself could make your home a target for an intruder, and well-lit front and back yards provide greater visual capabilities. An intruder would most likely skip it and move onto a dark home where they are not so visible.
- Lighting helps visitors reach your home safely. Many pathways have uneven pavers or troublesome transition spots from driveway to sidewalk, and provide many opportunities for tripping. Landscape lighting can illuminate problematic areas and protect against potential liability.
Increase the value of your home
Landscape lights adds instant curb appeal and make your landscape vision. You can create dramatic, professional-looking effects through shadows and silhouettes with low-lying bushes, or bounce the light off majestic trees.
Easily and safely installed
Low-voltage landscape lighting does not require an electrician or inspection, and, unlike some other electrical work, is safe to install. If you have passion, plants and a plan (and don’t forget a shovel), this is a rewarding and attainable do-it-yourself project
The flexibility factor
It’s inevitable. Your yard will almost certainly change its look over the years due to décors and trends, as well as growing plants that block light or that BBQ station or hot tub you have your eye on. As your landscape changes, so can your landscape lighting. Whether you decide to expand your yard’s lighting or cut back for a minimalist look, landscape lighting can be easily adjusted to fit your needs.
Make Over Your Living Room II
LIGHTING
Living Room Lighting is essential to your living room make over. It’s also an excellent opportunity to tie in the lighting in the dining room or kitchen. In your living room, you’ll need to provide enough lighting for every corner where people might sit, as well as mood lighting for those quieter and more relaxed times
Chandeliers are probably the most popular style of living room lighting. They can range in size from a three-light mini chandelier to something extravagant enough to make a Disney princess proud.
Close-to-ceiling lighting, also referred to as semi-flushmount lighting, combines flushmount lighting (which sits flush against the ceiling) and a low-hanging fixture.
Pendant lighting typically features one shade and hangs from the ceiling. Popular options are single-light mini and bowl pendants. But multi-light pendants also provide ample illumination, while offering a unique look.
Recessed lighting is installed into an opening in the living room ceiling. The result is a crisp, clean look and the light appears to shine from the opening.
Track lighting is set along a track (also called a run). Because these tracks can be rigid or flexible, you can customize your lighting and to work with what you already have in the living room. For track lighting basics, visit our article here
Wall sconces are wall-mounted fixtures that provide general, task, or accent lighting in the living room. They can be directional or emit substantial light, and much of the time they’re reversible and can be mounted for up or down lighting. Swing arm fixtures are more versatile than other wall sconces, since the light source itself can be moved. Wall washers flood a specific area with light, perfect for complementing other fixtures in the living room.
Lamp lighting is a rich and practical way to illuminate any part of your living room. Table, desk, and piano lamps are ideal for smaller areas where you might read or write, while floor, buffet, and torchiere lamps provide more lighting.
Picture wall lighting is specifically designed to direct a narrow band of lighting to an area of a painting or picture, usually at the top or bottom.
Accent lighting is a great way to provide ambient lighting from above. Also called spot lighting, this is a versatile way to lighting a living room, since many fixtures are available with several lights and can be multi-directional.
Basic Lightining
should highlight an object, texture, or an area of the room.To do this, multiply the light source to create shadows and lighteye-catching.
The suspensions will tend to strengthen the walls and narrow theroom, illuminating it evenly. Walls bathed in light will increase thevolume of the room. And a bottom beam visually raise the ceiling.
Taken to avoid glare by hiding the light sources. Finally, think of the electrical system: there are enough outlets to avoid extension cords and power strips. Light dimmers will adjust the lighting based ontime of day and mood you want.
Lighting and colors
The lights help create an atmosphere. The colors are on the atmosphere and light. The yellow lights (incandescent bulb) or red produce a feeling of warmth. White bulbs (halogen) or slightly bluish give a bright light and feeling cold. If the walls are light colored, they reflect light. If they are dark, they absorb. In addition to mood lighting,spotlights directed to specific locations or colored bulbs create aunique atmosphere and personal.
Projected on a defined surface, the rays highlight an object or area.This spotlighting diffuse bright light. The higher the lamp is removed, the area is large but less informed the illumination is intense.Drawback the direct light is powerful but is stunning and creates shadows. Lighting can also be decorative when it comes to candle luminous sculpture or creating an atmosphere and making the room warmer.
Kitchen Lighting
In most kitchens, a simple dome lights up the room. But while preparing meals or doing the dishes, light is often behind our backs and work in the background. It is therefore necessary to increase the distribution points of light to meet the specific needs of the kitchen.
Ask the lighting directed from above:
This lighting can be achieved either with halogen downlights 230Volts (BT) or 12 Volts (TBT), or with spots on cable taut. The big advantage of this solution is that it brings an amount of lightdirected on the sensitive points of the kitchen: the work plan and sink.