Waterfront Residence in Berwick, La.
JTM Landscaping & Contractors

This entire property along the Lower Atchafalaya River in Berwick, La., was dark except for a lighted water feature. Concerned with safety and wanting better accommodations for an upcoming wedding to be held on site, the homeowner contracted JTM Landscaping & Contractors of Morgan City, La., to design and install landscape lighting throughout the property. Moonlighting in the tree grove in front of the guest cottage is provided by FX Luminaire LED lights, which were used throughout the project. Mature queen palms are uplit by NP9 fixtures at 70 percent dimming thanks to a Luxor power controller. JS copper path lights add extra illumination. Photos: Brocato Photojournalism

Private Estate in Mt. Sterling, Ky.
Red Oak Design

As a key aim for this installation, Red Oak Design was asked to illuminate the area where the driveway meets the walk leading to the front door of this private residence in Mt. Sterling, Ky. The bench provided a great focal point as it sits directly across from the walk. Red Oak installed one Hadco hanging fixture with an Illumicare LED lamp from a branch of one of the ash trees above the bench. Two Kichler LED integrated downlights, one fixture per tree, each with a frosted lens and a long cowl to reduce glare, were used to highlight the drive. Well lights were installed at the base of each of the large ash trees to focus on the texture of the trunks, with four Kichler accent/uplights illuminating the trees' canopies. Two of the uplights were mounted on the backside of the fence, which, being elevated, are better protected from damage by the property's maintenance crew.

Backyard in Holtsville, N.Y.
AquaFX

The fireplace and soft effects from the waterfall and accent lighting add warmth to the backyard of this home in Holtsville, on Long Island in New York. Landscape company AquaFX used Cast china hat fixtures with 2-watt LED lamps for the path lighting, and fixtures from the Expressionist series to uplight the trees. These fixtures are connected with low voltage wire tied into a stainless steel transformer with a photocell for seasonally adjusting the intensity of the light beam based on the changing sunset times. Several fixtures are nestled into the water feature. The fireplace is from Unilock, and has custom accents on the arches and the medallion, all of which complement the paver patio and retaining walls. Soft spot lights enhance the landscape further.

Water Feature in Baltimore County, Md.
TDH Landscaping

Fire reflecting off of polished black granite was central to the design by TDH Landscaping of a water and fire feature that would replace a spa attached to the existing pool at this home in Baltimore County, Md. Besides the design, TDH built the black granite planter, installed the pool's decking, and helped Specialty Pool and Fountain with all the fire features. Roselind Cronin from Sulin Interiors assisted with the placement of planters and consulted on the overall design. The sheer descents with LED lighting built right into them is a patent-pending product from CMP Brilliant Wonders. The company states that the "sawtooth" lip design of their descents helps the LED accent colors appear more clearly. The lighting around the pool had been previously installed.

Backyard Upgrade in Evansville, Ind.
Aching Acres Landscaping Inc.

Along the Ohio River in Evansville, Ind., homeowners on a 100-acre property with a 25-acre lake in the middle commissioned Aching Acres Landscaping Inc. to upgrade a backyard with 15 years worth of overgrown trees and brush. After months of planning, a five-person crew, including company owner Dan Fuquay, took 18 working days to terrace the yard, install over 500 tons of weathered limestone ledge rock and boulders, 300 yards of brown bark, 1,200 plants, a paved sitting area with a fire pit, a water feature that includes ponds, falls, streams and a 1,000 GPH pump; then illuminate it all. The lighting system comprised 1,500 watts worth of transformers and over 100 fixtures of various styles. Kichler and Vista instruments uplight mature oaks and beech trees, different underwater LED spotlights make the water feature glow, and Vista path lights accent other areas.