Experiment with your Exterior...
When designing the lighting for a scheme it is easy to focus on the interior, however exterior lighting is just as important as the interior and should not be forgotten. A well-lit garden becomes a miraculous space at night and with increased external light you can overcome the 'black mirror effect' whereby the light inside the house is reflected back on windows and glass doors creating the illusion of a smaller area. Exterior lighting can give depth to a space by drawing your eye to the farthest point and maximising the space.
There are a few key rules that should be followed in order to achieve a great garden scheme; firstly it is important to think about the garden as a whole, including any gates, driveways and side passageways to ensure a cohesive and well-balanced scheme. Secondly, too much light or focal points can be overwhelming; use light with restraint focussing on techniques such as up-lighting that can create drama, drawing the eye to specific architectural features or individual plants.
There has suddenly been a surge of new and unusual ideas for the garden. Summer is just around the corner and if you want to whizz up your garden but don't have the time or resources to do it here are a couple of small ideas that will make a big impact and change your garden from a 'grubby gremlin' into a 'gorgeous goddess'.
Add a touch of character to your terrace by using this fabulous floor standing lamp by Artemide. Visually stunning yet practical, it can be positioned anywhere and provides an excellent ambient light. The shade comes in an assortment of colours so all you need to worry about is finding cushion covers that match!
Add a touch of colour to your garden by positioning RGB LED's underneath glass paving slabs. Fun yet sophisticated, they add an interesting dynamic to a space, perfect for parties and complimenting the architecture. As LED's can provide 70,000 lamp life, installing them in hard-to-access places will not cause any issues. They also act as a great safety feature, providing a well-lit pathway at night.
Add a touch of charm to any arena with the addition of the 'Smoon'. What is more romantic than the reflection of moonlight on water? This Watersmoon by Beau et Bien is wireless and rechargeable and is more-over, totally waterproof. Floating on a swimming pool it gives the magical glow of moonlight for 6 to 8 hours...if you don't have a swimming pool, why not use it as a reading light by a bedside or as ambient lighting on the floor of a living room...the opportunities are endless.
If you want to go that extra mile and create something awe-inspiring and exceptional, you should look at the work of Bruce Munro. "
Natasha HD
posted by Light IQ @ Monday, April 07, 2008 
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