The Emerald Gala was the theme of the 47th annual Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence, held at the Delta Hotel in Toronto. This year marked our first time submitting entries. When it was all said and done, we walked away with two awards, one in the under $10,000 landscape lighting category for a project titled ‘Cottage in the City’, and the other – aptly named ‘Classic Christmas’ – in the holiday lighting class.
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Cottage in the City
This fun-loving couple enjoy every aspect of their home with family and friends. But there is no place more important to them than their outdoor space. Adding light to these areas meant more time outdoors. Even on cold Winter nights, the path to their ‘Bunkie’ is lit for them to go and take in the hockey game.
Landscape lighting has allowed these homeowners to appreciate the hard work they have put into creating their Cottage in the City.
The lighting has a natural and complimentary feel to enhance the outdoor experience, much like fire and moonlight at the cottage.
Post lights provide an elegant and clear entry to the backyard; steps are illuminated by under-coping fixtures for safety. The backyard features a proper amount of path lighting for safe passage. Entertaining and dining areas are brought to life at night by downlighting from over 30′ above. The perimeter is washed with soft lighting that silhouettes and shadows a selection of plantings. A large Pine tree glows with up-lighting.
The front yard enhances a new garden installation and offers a balance across the entire frontage. The customer-constructed fence is showcased by two post lights. Entry to the backyard is noted by a low-voltage soffit light. Path lights lead you toward the front door. A selection of trees is uplit for height and beauty. Secondary lighting from a soft wash below the window gives the planting a skeletal effect. Like the back, another large Pine tree is featured. The last, and possibly best highlight, is the two up-lights used to frame the front porch and its peak.
Classic Christmas
Warm white LED bulbs trim the eaves and dormers of this beautiful home. As a grand compliment to the house, LED warm white minis wrapping a clump of three large Nootka trees.
Power supply to the trees was achieved by running a cord with extra support above ground from the chimney to the trees, so as to avoid running it over the round-about.
The client requested the installation to be started and finished on a day that his wife was away as she was unaware this was taking place. The element of surprise was a success – we received a phone call that evening full of wows and a few tears!
This classic country home is a beacon on a Winter evening for both passers-by and the homeowners. What a welcome home!
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Plans are under way for a selection of projects to submit for next years event.
