Don't Get Sold a Bill of Goods

Ridiculous outdoor lighting design and installation!

I was driving to a design appointment in a very nice area of Dallas when I noticed this recent landscape lighting installation. The neighborhood is full of above average size lots and the homes all range from $1.5 - $5 million with wonderful trees that make it easy to show off what I can do with outdoor lighting. On this particular job, I know the fixture cost and can assume the electrical cost and this customer might as well have just flushed the majority of his hard earned money down the toilet because it's cr*p.

Just a few things to point out and I'll finish this rant;

1) NEVER place an above ground lighting fixture in the grassy area where the maintenance crew will consistently have to avoid it...they will hit it.

2) NEVER place an above ground lighting fixture on the provided stake in the grassy area where the maintenance crew will hit it, bump it, graze against it...the lights won't be straight this time next year!

3) NEVER place two or three above ground lighting fixtures under one tree. The concept of landscape illumination is to enhance the nighttime ambiance without knowing where the lighting is coming from during the day or night! It's hard enough to conceal one light, let alone two or three. Also, if one light doesn't do the job than maybe you should use a different light? Just a thought. 

This poor homeowner got sold a bill of goods...and a lot of them! If you should ever have questions regarding your system or what someone is selling you for your landscape lighting, give us a call or email.

Living Wall...I'm a Big Fan

Planted Design is a full service firm that is focused on creating beautiful, functional, and sustainable designs.

I've been told from my lovely bride, I "have to" not "would like" one of these living walls for the house. Looks like I will be making an effort at creating one for myself before I turn it over to the experts at Planted Design.

Not much in the outdoor lighting department to consider but already have ideas on what can be done to make them pop. Will be a good winter project! Already know I don't have the time or patience to create what's in my head, but I have to give it a shot. For those of you wise enough to understand your "green thumb" puts a black cloud over most of your plants, I highly recommend calling the folks at Planted Design.

If you're considering enhancing the nighttime ambiance for your home and gardens, please give us a call to discuss your thoughts on outdoor lighting.

Eliminate the "Lean" of your Low Voltage Lighting

Typical path light "lean"

This has been a pet peeve of mine since I started designing and installing landscape lighting throughout the country. No matter where I travel, I find the same issues whenever I see low voltage lighting...the customary lean of the fixture...meaning it isn't straight up and down. I am confident the fixture wasn't meant to look like this and was straight when it was installed but over time began it's natural path...leaning and falling over to the side.

I took this photograph of a project I knew was installed within the last year to show it doesn't take very long for the lean to happen. This happens for several reasons.

1- The landscape maintenance crews hit the fixture and over time the lean becomes acceptable.

2- The stake the fixture is on is only 6" deep into the soil.

3- The wiring isn't placed in conduit and only several inches beneath the soil.

So what is the solution? Landscape maintenance crews are always going to "bump" the fixtures so the only way to eliminate the lean is to install the unit more securely. We use a open stake like this one:

When a quality landscape installation crew installs new planting beds, they usually bring in 4"-6" of new planting soil (bed prep) and an additional 2" in of mulch. If the stake provided with the low voltage lighting unit is only 6" long, the light is not going to be secured in this soil. Installing the unit with the deeper stake will allow the unit to be installed into a more compact soil thus securing the unit. In addition, we always install our low voltage electrical wiring in conduit and bring it into the open stake providing a more stable unit. Running your low voltage wiring in conduit will ensure against inadvertent cutting of the wires when you change plant material or add new plants to existing beds. It costs a bit more on the front end, but will be worth it down the road.

So remember, your low voltage lighting doesn't have to "lean" and you can help my sanity by keeping yours straight!

E2 Illumination Designs is a design-build landscape lighting company focused on bringing the very best  in landscape design and construction to discerning clients throughout Texas and the U.S. Please contact us if you are considering landscape illumination for your home.

Rainwater Harvesting System a future want for next home!

25,000 gallon rainwater harvesting tank

OK, so my future "want" won't resemble anything like this one, but I will be contacting Enviro Logix Industries when I decide to move into my final resting place! 

One thing my job in landscape lighting design provides is being introduced to all the new "toys" one can have in their homes and landscape. My present project is installing two of these harvesting tanks that will provide the homeowner with 50,000 gallons of purified water to use for anything from irrigation, to showering, and even drinking. Not too sure the city will be to happy losing all the $$$$, but what a benefit to the homeowner!

From their website, 

We offer a complete rainwater harvesting system that can catch water for use in your garden and yard as well as providing water to your home. Rainwater can be used for washing laundry, flushing toilets, showering, and even drinking! We are one of the few Texas companies authorized to install rainwater systems for potable water use.

We have many certifications that allow us to provide you with a trustworthy and sanitary rainwater harvesting system. These certifications and our vast experience ensure your system will work efficiently to save you money and provide you with peace of mind knowing that the water you are using is safe.

This is something homeowners with the means should be considering for their homes under construction and I hope to see it on more of my future projects.