Tag: landscape lighting

Patient Perfection

While true perfection is an elusive goal, Grant Smith believes in pursuing it by exceeding engineering and construction standards and paying attention to fine aesthetic details. And as he reports here, sometimes he ends up chasing it for clients who like to change their minds.By Grant Smith

When you target the high-end custom pool market, you have to be prepared to work with clients who like to change things along the way. It can be a real challenge because it causes delays, re-engineering and sometimes removing work you’ve just installed. More than anything, you have to remain patient, constantly listening and explaining the ramifications of changing things to the client. It helps when you have a good rapport from the start.

All of that was true and then some for the project pictured here. It’s located in an upscale neighborhood in Sherman Oaks, Calif. The property is about a third of an acre on a relatively flat corner lot completely surrounded by tall fichus hedges for privacy.

Pools of Light

10 year logoBy Mike Gambino

‘If there’s ever been such a thing as a match made in heaven, swimming pools and landscape lighting lay a strong claim to that perfection.’  That’s how Mike Gambino opened his Currents column in November 2009.

‘Separately, they take little-used spaces and transform them to all-day hubs of activity and sources of constant beauty.  Together, however, the magic

2019/10.1, October 9 — Dual-Role Design, Fountain Gymnastics, Lighting Insights and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS October 9, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Committed to Balance It’s tough to develop a landscape design that satisfies the social needs of a family while also meeting the practical needs of a thriving home-based business, writesColleen Holmes. Ever consider what’s involved in setting up a parking […]

2019/5.2, May 15 — Vision Lessons, Gravel Appreciation, D.C. Masterpiece and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS May 15, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Adopted Vision Building a project to another designer’s plan can be awkward when you notice flaws you might have helped address. In this case, notesTanr Ross, the results were truly spectacular — but assessing the ‘deficiencies’ taught him valuable lessons […]

2019/4.2, April 17 — Gem State Fountain, Pond Assistance, San Diego Miscue and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS April 17, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Northern Exposure Building an elaborate, choreographed fountain in a public place is always a technical and logistical challenge. But in this case, noteJ. Wickham ZimmermanandChris Roy, the stakes were significantly raised by the developer’s bold vision as well as the […]

2019/3.2, March 20 — A Space Transformed, Deck Details, Surreal Boldness and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS March 20, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Artful Opportunities The home sits on the edge of a lovely golf course, but it’s backyard definitely needed help. Completely reimagining the space,Juliet Woodinserted a pool, a spa, a cabana, a sweeping staircase and anamazingwater wall to create a fully […]

2019/2.2, February 20 — Botanical Beauty, Disaster Relief, Purposeful Travel and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS February 20, 2019 www.watershapes.com BOTANIC ENCHANTMENT Forging a Path Designing and installing botanical gardens may be soul-satisfying, but it’s also a remarkable professional challenge. AsRaymond Jungleswrites in the first of three articles on the subject, these projects have multiple audiences, each of them bringingmassiveexpectations to the […]

Making Light

10 year logoBy Bruce Zaretsky

‘Those of us who are designers and builders of full-scale outdoor environments . . . face a distinct challenge: In our work for our clients, we are expected to provide the outline and details for a huge range of project elements, from watershapes and patios to plantings and walkways and more.’

That’s how Bruce Zaretsky began his On the Level column in WaterShapes’ November 2007 edition. ‘That list, at least so far as clients are concerned, also includes appropriate lighting, but that is not always something

Philips Hadco’s Bronzelite Unit Introduces LED Bricklytes

Philips Hadco (Somerset, NJ) manufactures the Bronzelite LED bricklytes. Sized to occupy the same space as a standard 9 by 3-1/2-inch brick, the fixtures come in horizontal, vertical or frosted-lens configurations that allow light to be directed where it is needed. In addition, the fixtures are designed to stay cool to the touch – including […]

Atlantic Water Gardens Introduces Hardscape Lighting

Atlantic Water Gardens (Mantua, OH) has added hardscape lighting to its Sol line of outdoor lighting products. Available in warm white and color-changing varieties, the cast-brass lighting fixtures are equipped with stainless steel mounting brackets, come in 6- and 12-inch widths and are designed to wash walls, illuminate steps and highlight ledges. For details, click […]