I'd suggest you get a copy of one of the design guideline "how to" books on outdoor landscape lighting by Ortho Books or Sunset. Either of these would walk you through the process involved in lighting. There are alot of considerations involved, and it is abit difficult to give answers without seeing your site, knowing your budget, etc.

I completely agree with our about the motion lights and solr/low voltage airport runway light schemes, they are not a very aesthetic solution to ourdoor lighting. The basic concerns with outdoor lighting are to select types of fixtures and wattage most suitable for the purpose. You can generally sort out lighting design into categories of security, accent lighting, lighting to show circulation, purpose lighting for outdoor use, etc.

You may also be able to go to a landscape lighting store and get a demonstration kit on loan, to try out different fixtures and wattages to see what you prefer. It is also important to recognize that low voltage lighting levels will vary tremendously across a circuit if not properly laid out or distances covered on one circuit are not similar for all lights as a distance from the transformer. There are alot of technical concerns that need to be factored in for a really good design.

Thank you for the quick response, bahia! I'll look for those books tonight -- I hope that our local library has one or both of them, so I don't necessarily have to invest in them.

I'm not sure about my budget; I guess I'm more concerned in doing it right than in staying within a strict dollar amount. If it's practical, I'd like to work backwards, from the point of "this is the ideal solution" to "this is how it could be done in stages" to "here's how much it'll cost for the first stage."

My knowledge of landscape lighting stores is limited to the big boxes, although I'm sure we must have them in the Mpls/St. Paul area... guess some Googling is in order now!

There is some interesting info on Randall Whitehead's site - his books are good reads as well.

I'd prefer not to use those huge motion lights - they remind me of prison searchlights

Your neighbors will thank you! Sadly, BRIGHT LIGHT has gotten associated with safety, when all it really does is create an annoying glare making it harder to see, and also interrupts the dark period for the plants and animals that need it. Kudos to you for being thoughtful in your approach.

VW (who likes it dark enough to see the milky way).

International Dark Skies Association approved landscape lighting

Here is a link that might be useful: Outdoor Lighting

view west, thanks for the link to Randall Whitehead! I've not read much yet, but this quote from "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" article stood out to me:

"The rule of thumb is to try and balance the amount of light inside and outside the house. This allows the windows to become more transparent, just as they are during the day. Psychologically too, people feel safer when they can see the yard area around them when looking out the windows. They also feel more visible and exposed inside the house when there is no lighting outside. To accomplish this, you don't have to light up the exterior like the White House."

That's exactly what I want to avoid. I live in the suburbs where there's too much city light to see the Milky Way, but I don't see that as a justification to add some crazy amount of lights myself.

And while I'm thinking of the entire neighborhood's safety while planning lights, I'm also thinking of esthetics -- no one wants to live next to the Wal-Mart parking lot or to the airport runway, and yet too many outdoor lighting installations accomplish just that. I want people to see the yard and the garden (and for me to see them in it), but subtly; I don't want people to simply see lights.

You really should consult with an expert on outdoor lighting. There are so many ways to approach your situation. One of my former clients lives a life constantly threatened and I used a dual system of quiet outdoor lighting plus installing an unseen beam system which when interrupted by an intruder sets off an alarm inside the house. It disconnects during the day or can be shut off when the family moves around the yard at night. I called in an expert to help me with this project as the technology changes rapidly. He was worth every penny spent and the system is working well.

Glad to share some of the info I have learned.
Whitehead's book "Residential Lighting" is good, but technical (and pricy).

I live in the suburbs where there's too much city light to see the Milky Way, At least with light pollution the view of the stars will come back the instant the lights are turned off. Even people in NYC saw them during the '03 blackout.

{{gwi:29629}}

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:29629}}

Nandina, I agree that I should speak with an expert on outdoor lighting, but... I guess I'm a little afraid that if I go in with absolutely *no* idea of what I want (beyond saying "I want it to look subtle and not tacky") that that would essentially be saying I have a wide-open checkbook for whatever the expert recommended. And, while I have no intention of this being a DIY project, the open checkbook surely isn't the case either!

I'm hoping that I can get a kind of general sense as to what's possible, and would be a sensible fit for my taste/garden/neighborhood; and then might be able to define my boundaries a bit before consultation. I don't know what my budget is until I know what can be done at various price points, if that makes any sense.

I was able to request both the Sunset and Ortho books that Bahia recommended from our library (love that inter-library loan!) and I'm looking forward to seeing them. I'd appreciate any other insight anyone has as to process; thanks for your comments so far!