Photography by Alise O'Brien
What is it about outdoor lighting that can bring a bit of magic to a yard? A little light can do big things. Exterior lighting can illuminate a space for socializing, light the way, and create a more welcoming, decorative environment. “The way you choose to light is a response to the area, to the trees, to the lines of the house,” says Thomas Wall, architect and owner of Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design (2 The Pines, 314-576-5888, mitchellwall.com). While observing one of the firm’s projects, photographed here, Wall provided tips for effectively lighting any home.
Columns
Uplighting columns—that is, directing light upward from the bases of the columns—helps to define the shape of a living space and emphasizes the rhythm in the columns’ vertical lines.
Windows
If there are a lot of windows, then the interior lighting will help to define the home’s form, and less exterior lighting will be needed.
Trees
If lighting is too even, it can make a structure look flat. Minimal light on the exterior wall helps the trees’ illuminated edges stand out. Ground lighting also projects an attractive, shadowy image of the tree on the wall.
Pool
Without a light, water at night can be ominous and unsafe. A pool light not only creates ambience but also “staves off the unknown,” Wall says.
Path
Light shows you the way and can serve as a deterrent to crime. Be sure to make those features that will help ensure safety—for instance, lighting along pathways—a priority.
Selection
Deciding what to leave in shadow is as important as deciding what to illuminate. “Use it with control, and be thoughtful,” Wall says. “The last thing you want is your home to look like a prison on high alert.”
