Bluebird Project – Landscape Lighting with Balance and Harmony

One of the first challenges was that the hardscape was already complete when we began the lighting installation. Because the retaining wall was such a dominant feature in the backyard, it needed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We carefully removed the capstones, strategically placing fixtures that would blend seamlessly into the design. For this element, we selected 3000K LED wall lights with a wide 140° beam spread, casting a soft, even wash of light down the retaining wall. This achieved two goals: safely illuminating the walking path below while also highlighting the textures and character of the stonework. The result was a balanced interplay of safety, texture, and atmosphere.

The backyard sauna was another focal point — but one that required special care. Since it had no built-in lighting, we sourced heat-rated and IP-rated LED strip lights to withstand the demanding environment. These were discreetly installed under the benching to provide gentle, indirect illumination. We also used the same wall-grazing lights as the retaining wall underneath the deck, and added up lighting to the sauna's cedar wooden frame, emphasizing their natural beauty. For wood features, we selected 2700K warm white lighting to highlight rich tones, while the darker surfaces and river rock beneath the deck benefitted from a slightly cooler 3000K tone for contrast.

In the center of the lawn stands a stunning Japanese maple, a specimen tree deserving special attention. We used three high-CRI fixtures to evenly illuminate it from multiple angles, ensuring there were no dark gaps or imbalances. This created a breathtaking, symmetrical focal point visible from both inside and outside the home. Beyond the fence line, the natural forest provided an opportunity to add depth and dimension to the property. We layered up lighting on the perimeter trees with subtle downlighting into the forest itself, creating a moonlighting effect along the walking trail. To enhance the illusion of moonlight, we incorporated a 5000K mercury-vapor effect, which contrasted beautifully with the 2700K and 3000K tones used elsewhere. This gave the homeowners a unique view: a striking divide between the warm garden ambiance and the cool, natural glow of the forest beyond illuminating the pathway into the woods. A low-voltage dimmer and override switch was also integrated to allow the lighting mood to shift with the evening.

While the backyard was the primary focus, the front yard was not forgotten. A natural rock retaining wall, magnolia tree, and fire tree were all illuminated with up lighting, creating a welcoming presence from the curb. We enhanced the pathway to the front door with soffit-mounted downlights, utilizing the fire tree branches to cast a moonlike shadow across the walkway and home façade. For the driveway, we installed discreet hidden path lights within the river rock, offering a temporary but effective solution until the homeowner proceeds with their future driveway renovation.