Outdoor light fixture suggestions ?

flatcoat2004

16 years ago

I am having the hardest time finding outdoor light fixtures that I like. I need three of them for the back of the house, each will be positioned above a doorway. Two of them will be used to light the deck, and one to light the stairs to the basement.

I am in California, so Title 24 says that outdoor lighting needs to be either fluorescent or motion sensor/photocell controlled. I am not keen on the latter, since I live close (very close !) to rather intolerant neighbours, who would give me a really hard time if the lights went on at odd hours.

Anyway, I digress. The house is a little Victorian cottage, and I want something simple and unostentatious. Many of the lights in the stores are either 1. very industrial and utilitarian, 2. very fancy with scrollwork and curlicues, or 3. Craftsman inspired, which I like but is nothing like the rest of the house.

Here is a picture of one of the places an outdoor light will be installed ...

I have only found a couple lights that vaguely appeal to me ... this one is a Kichler, but only comes in brushed nickel, black and "olde brick" ...

And this one from Hudson Valley is out of my price range (at about $300) ...

To be honest, I don't even know what colour light I should get. Suggestions ?

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Comments (7)

sillymesillyne
16 years ago
The Kichler light fixture is from their Seaside collection...and it is available in white, too which I think would look great for your house (color wise).I believe there are 5 finish choices. I love this collection and have kept a folder with this SC in my decorating file for at least 2 years. I like the look for indoors, too. LD has it... go to the link and search Kichler and then Seaside under collections.

Good Luck!

Silly

Here is a link that might be useful: Same LF in White
gk5040
16 years ago
I like what you picked but being on the deck do you think you need something that will give you more light for when you are using the deck? A single bulb might not be bright enough for entertaining? What you picked looks like a better choice for a single back door where the light is next to the door, not above.
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That's what we did as well...just bought a timer. I started getting way too confused with all the cell chip stuff plus it started getting pricey. My husband isn't here so I don't know the exact one we have but it looks like this and is inside the garage. He bought it at HDepot and installed himself. Here are several. http://m.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Dimmers-Switches-Outlets-Timers/N-5yc1vZc334?&cm_mmc=SEM%7CTHD%7Cgoogle%7CD27E+Electrical&mid=sbfCfeEI2%7Cdm_mtid_8903o6225187_pcrid_169928974502_pkw_%2Bhome%20%2Bdepot%20%2Blight%20%2Btimers_pmt_b_product__slid_&gclid=COjOmdbul9QCFUIfhgodEHILFQ
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How are these 2 statements consistent? If something looks half the size of the door from 50 feet away, doesn't that mean it need to be half the size of the door at 5 feet away? 1. DON'T UNDERSIZE YOUR LANTERNS: As a rule of thumb, your lanterns should appear to be about half the size of your door from 50' away. 2. FOR 2 LANTERNS: When two lanterns are used, they should each measure approximately one-fourth the height of the door. The center of the bulb should rest 66" above the threshold of the door. TIP: In either case, if you choose a fixture with a long tail or top scroll, pay attention to the overall bulk of the fixture. Anyway - the alternatives posted look really nice and don't detract from your home - go for them!
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LED, 2700K, 200 to 400 lumens (that's 25 W equivalent to 40 W equivalent). With as many lamps as you seem to have, I think 200/lumens per lamp would be adequate. Sydney's suggestion of a dusk-to-dawn sensor is a good one. There are lamps that come with this feature built-in, or you can get adapters that screw into the socket that have the photocell and control. separate from the lamp
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kitchenkelly
16 years ago
I like them too! I think the silver metal looks good with the blue.
paddytc
16 years ago
I like the ones show above too. However, You might want to look at Ballard Designs they have a nice Bar Harbor light that is in the silver.
donnar57
16 years ago
A little hint from another Californian with that little Title 24 thing. We just added a family room with a back patio, last year. Our inspector told us, on the inspection BEFORE that one was going to be going in, that we needed either a fluorescent or a motion-detector/auto-off light. Okay, the one I bought had an auto-off/auto-on feature. But what is evidently "okay" is when your contractor installs it with a regular on and off switch inside. If you leave the inside switch in the OFF position, it will NOT come on. Our inspector was fine with that. Your mileage may vary.

But I do understand "rather intolerant neighbours, who would give me a really hard time if the lights went on at odd hours." Our neighbors across the street leave their front porch lights on ALL NIGHT. One of their lights, outside of their garage, is SO bright and it shines in through my front door all the way through my house to the back family room. I do NOT need a night light in my house - I already have one at THEIR expense. When their light burned out last month, I did NOT tell them. But when they discovered it on their own, I was sad to see that they replaced the bulb. I'm sorry, but I wish they hadn't. If someone needs to sleep on the living room sofa bed, they'll have a bright light to preclude any sleep.

DonnaR/CA
paddytc
16 years ago
Just got my Shades of Light catalog and there are some great outdoor lights. Love the Newport Beach light and Hampton light. Good luck would love to see what you choose.

www.shadesoflight.com
mlraff53
16 years ago
I think the ss would look great on your house. gk5040 has a good question. Do you expect to light up the patio?
how about these?

Here is a link that might be useful: home depot

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Outdoor light fixture suggestions ?

Comments (7)

sillymesillyne

gk5040

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kitchenkelly

paddytc

donnar57

paddytc

mlraff53

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