North Bay Woman

12 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 By PJ Bremier L ighting a home's exterior ensures important safety measures on steps and pathways and provides an extra level of security in the darkened areas of a property. But, if you stop there, you're not taking advantage of all the beauty in the landscape that unfolds after hours. "The aesthetics are where the fun comes in," says Louise Leff of Leff Landscape Associates Inc. in Petaluma. "Lighting up mature trees in the background or highlighting a focal point in the garden can bring 'spice' into the garden after sunset." "Keep in mind what lighting makes possible," says Dane Rose, owner of San Rafael's Mystical Landscapes and author of both "Successfully Landscaping Your Marin Home" and "Marin Landsca. garden with light," Michael Pringle says. "A well balanced use of path lighting, uplighting, facade washing and downlighting, or "moon lighting, can create magic." There's no need to light all the trees in a garden, just the ones with structure, Pringle, owner of illumigarden in Mill Valley says and "a little darkness is OK for contrast." He prefers a "warm, welcoming beacon rather than a glaring monster that can ruin even the best of outdoor lighting." Leff cautions against leaving large areas dark, instead using lighting "to guide the eye from one area to the next," she says. She likes to shine light onto the architecture of the home, too. "When lit properly, it increases the curb appeal," she says. "This is another opportunity to highlight details that might not be seen during the day." Light considerations "People are accustomed to light coming from the sky, the sun and the moon," Leff says, so mimic that by attaching a downlight from a large tree branch that overhangs an area you use. "One downlight from a tree can often illuminate better than three or four path lights." Downlighting – from trees, eaves and trellises – helps eliminate the light pollution that uplighting causes, she points out. Pringle concurs and adds that the use of a simple façade washing on walls or garden sculptures is often overlooked. Play with unexpected light "Any time you can add light to something valuable and unique, it doubles the value to the viewer, who may only visit the garden at night," explains Dane Rose, who placed a 112-pound Brazilian quartz crystal on a large fountain with Mount Tamalpais as a backdrop. "Crystals in a garden offer unique lighting opportunities. Pringle has added tiny amber LED bulbs and sockets to bird Lighten Up! Give your landscape a nighttime glow Leff Landscape Associates Inc. show how entry lighting makes a dramatic entrance. – Photo by Scott Hess.

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