I am always looking at my home and coming up with unique lighting ideas. I test them out and make changes while my wife and kids are forced to give their opinions. I really haven’t implemented any of the design ideas yet, mostly because I like the design part of it.
Most of my ideas come from necessity. For example, we like to entertain and for the longest time I would just turn on my motion sensor fixture and that would be enough light on the deck. I could use it to grill and my guests weren’t sitting in the dark. But I hate the harsh light so I need something softer and more elegant than a motion sensor fixture. That’s why I’m designing string lights for my deck. They are relatively easy to install, provide soft but functional illumination and this is the hot item right now in the outdoor lighting world. And, my wife really wants them.
But all of these design ideas and projects revolve around existing things around my house; illuminating a deck, beautifying a magnolia or lighting up a walkway. Never did I pick out a fixture and create something around it.
And then I got a lighting epiphany… a bright idea! I took down my gazebo that was attached to the corner of my deck and used the wood to build steps. And I built those steps just so I could have undermount lights. I did the design backwards for this one… I picked the fixture I wanted and built something to accommodate.
I have yet to use the steps at night and I think all I created was a way for the deer to safely get onto my deck and eat my cherry tomatoes. But I know they are there when I need them.
Now if I could only figure out what to do with all of the other unique fixtures I see every day.