Before there was light, there was darkness. We wouldn’t appreciate light without darkness to contrast it. One of the amazing things about light and darkness is that you can use both to create beauty and drama. That’s why we don’t shoot fireworks during the day. Their beauty only becomes apparent when contrasted against the dark night sky. Think about the Statue of Liberty. She is absolutely gorgeous during the day. You can appreciate her majesty, her size, and the details that emerge only when you have enough light to see them. But think about her at night. The contrast of the lights and the shadow highlights totally different things than daytime’s brightness. The folds of her robe become more detailed and apparent because of the shadows. You can’t see the trees in the background, but you can see the lights on the buildings and bridges behind her. For that matter, every city’s skyline differs from daytime to nighttime. Each view offers its own beauty and appeal.
Light and Shadow
In the same way, in outdoor lighting design we use light and shadow to bring out the beauty in your garden or yard. Silhouetting is a technique that makes an object’s shadow stand out as something to see. Light helps us be safe and see where we are going, who we are with, and what we are doing (Especially when eating. I hate a dark restaurant where I can’t see the menu or what my food is!). But light and shadow also work together to create contrast, drama and beauty. Shadow creates depth, and can make your outdoor space feel larger. Too much light creates harsh glare and defeats the purpose. The right “moonlight” feel allows people to move about with ease, but doesn’t feel lit up like a prison yard. The shadows are attractive, not creepy.
How?
Your outdoor lighting designer has studied how to achieve the right effect. It’s not a matter of simply installing 8 path lights and 2 bullets. Done. Next! It’s artistry that brings out the architectural details of your home, makes it attractive, and appealing, and allows you to use it at night without needing to wear sunglasses to shield yourself from the halogen searchlight-strength floodlight on the corner of your house that would be more at home on a lighthouse, or alternately, stumbling around in the dark and holding on to railings, walls or a buddy to keep from falling. It’s layers of light that work with the surroundings to make the most of them and create an atmosphere that makes you feel like lingering, welcomes your guests and deters unwanted intruders.
Who?
Southern Lights really wants to be your outdoor lighting designer and installer if you live in our area. If not, we urge you to contact a landscape lighting company that is certified, and experienced and can provide you with examples of their work. Don’t trust your home to anything less.
Located in Summerfield, NC Southern Lights- Architectural and Landscape Lighting serves properties and property management companies throughout the state of NC including Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Burlington, Reidsville, Oak Ridge, Brown Summit, Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Raleigh, Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, Gastonia, Matthews, etc.
Southern Lights has installed hundreds of outdoor landscape lighting systems and carries more certifications than anyone in the state. We specialize in lighting designs and service everything we install as well as lighting systems installed by others. With attention to detail and a solid knowledge of design, Southern Lights is the leading outdoor landscape lighting firm in the state of NC and beyond. See why our clients choose us. Contact us today by web (online form) or phone 336-451-4969.
