Outdoor Kitchens for New Jersey Landscapes
Finally, we now have some beautiful weather in our area and time to start grilling! Summer is all about so many things but it is the outdoor dining that highlights our summer evenings. And, at Live Oak Landscape Contractors, we have the right mix of landscape architects and landscape garden designers to make every outdoor meal extraordinary!
Outdoor kitchens can be elaborate with every convenience known to man. Smaller, intimate, outdoor kitchens work just as well! The main purpose is to enjoy the evening with friends and family and dine on deliciously prepared bar-be-que.
We are professionals who have been designing outdoor kitchens for many years for every taste and budget. April Showers L:ighting has the best outdoor lighting designers in the business and between Live Oak Landscape and April Showers Lighting we will design your outdoor kitchen to become the center of your summer dining experience!
A position that allows the shrubs and trees to be uplit at some point in the day and evening will add to the visual effect, illuminating their smouldering colors at this time of year. April Showers Irrigation and Lighting Company can make this very dramatic effect which will add yet another dimension to your landscape.
Wall Lighting adds drama to your landscape and can be done several ways. One technique is grazing. Grazing is accomplished by installing a light approximately 6 inches from the edge of your wall or facade and aiming it vertically up the wall. The textures of your house, fences or retaining walls will be highlighted and accentuated using this technique. Another way to light a wall is by using spot lights. Spot lighting can be done either up or down lighting. A creative way to use spot lighting is to up light a tree or any ornamental structure - for example, a statue, by shadowing it.
Walkway lighting is crucial because it adds safety as well as accentuates the materials used on your path as well as surrounding plantings. You can use either low-level units, choosing downward-cast beams to avoid dazzle, or taller lamps that diffuse light more widely.
Tree lighting usually involves up lighting and/or down lighting. Up lighting can be accomplished using fixtures that are mounted at the tree base or around the drip line and aimed toward the trunk and branches. This is a great technique when you have specimen trees with interesting branching patterns for example, the live oaks. Down lighting is another option for tree lighting. Mounting lights in large trees on established branches and then aiming the lights downward to highlight bedding areas.
Decks and Patios are designed to be places for entertainment but without proper lighting, they can be very hazardous especially if you have any elevation changes like steps, planters or seating. Landscape lights can be added to a deck or patio easily to illuminate those elevation changes and make it a pleasant place to be for outdoor living. There are several options available: Recessed lights fit flush into the deck itself are durable and can even be stepped on without shattering. Deck lamps come in many different shapes and sizes and can be a beautiful addition to your deck. With proper planning, outdoor lighting is part of the design and will add an architectural element to your deck or patio. Another option to consider is adding post cap lights to your deck.
Water features and fountain lighting will enhance your landscape with incredible effects. A fountain can glow and a small pond can be transformed from below the water surface with LED lighting. Choosing the correct lighting will make all the difference in terms of how your water feature will be perceived. The most common choice for fountain lighting is the submersible light. These lights are placed underwater and illuminate upwards to create a shimmering effect. They also help to illuminate streams of water as they flow into the basin of the fountain. Colored filters can be added for creativity. LED landscape lighting is a good choice for fountains because it is less expensive than traditional incandescent lighting and they come in many vivid colors as well. Correct lighting techniques for your fountain will take a little planning on your part. Experiment with a flashlight at night to see the best locations for your fountain lighting project.
When your garden is illuminated at night it beautifies your home and provides you with night-time security all year long. Lighting your garden makes it look attractive from inside the house, makes your garden accessible at night and transforms your garden into an outdoor living room. Many spaces that were useless now become inviting with illumination. Lighting offers drama when features such as fountains or pieces of art are singled out. It also provides beauty and romance for outdoor dining!
Landscape lighting can be one of the greatest improvements that you can make to enhance the beauty of your home. Now you are no longer confined to the four walls of you home after dusk. Many people have invested a lot of money and time into their landscaping, so why should you be limited to enjoying it just during the day?April Showers professional outdoor landscape lighting specialists can provide a great ambiance without having your house look like and airport. Create another room of the house by extending your home into your yard with the benefit of landscape lighting.
