skip to main content

Lighting Design Dilemma Exterior

Help with Outdoor Entry Light Finish and Placement Height

last year

I've loved the Quoizel Newbury Wall Lanterns for the past 30 years. I bought my home in the 90s and couldn't afford them then, so I enjoyed them vicariously via my neighbor's house across the street (they had the 20" 2-light style with the brass finish). When the neighbors changed their lights, I knew it was time to get my own.

While I still love the elegance of the brass look, I considered a bronze finish to compliment my chocolate brown roof, mainly because of its low maintenance (that is, it wouldn't require constant repainting in later years like my current brass fixtures). However, Quoizel's Medici Brown appears almost black. Black still seems to be popular for lights, but it doesn't seem to do much for my existing color scheme, which I love. Yet I could be wrong, which is why I'm asking for help selecting the right finish. As far as size, I'm going with the 20" (2-light) lantern.

Color Scheme: The roof color is Hickory by GAF (Timberline high-def). The shutters and door are a blue-grey (it's close to McCormick's Potomac-235.) The siding and garage are an almond color from the 90s. The alcove is a light cream (a color error) which I plan to correct.

Backplate/Height Issue: I just realized there's an installation issue. The current fixture is a torchlight design with the long handle; the light itself is positioned toward the upper part of the backplate. As far as installation, the backplate's midpoint is about 14" from the top of the alcove. (The alcove is approximately 85" in height. ) If I install the new lamp in the same location, it will hang too low (about 7-8 inches) because the lamp itself extends well below the backplate. Thoughts and suggestions on the best placement height and cost-effective installation (that won't require extensive brick work) would be appreciated. Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
last modified: last year
If you'd post a larger image of the front of your home, looking directly at the front door we could try various fixtures out on the image in simulations.

Also, it looks like it's time to address the color of the shutters against your brick. It can look better.
Mara S. thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Mara S.
Original Author
last year
Hello Beverly!

Thanks so much for your reply, comments and willingness to help!

Here's the new pic. Waited for sun to capture the varying light on the brick color. (Unfortunately, I don't know how to create thumbnails, so I added it to the collage.)

Recently someone asked if I planned on changing the shutter color after all these years :-). I think I'm open to a new look to go with my new lamps!

Also, thank you for the images. Once I had considered a contemporary style (just like the first image), but wasn't sure if it would work with a colonial-style home. ( Hmm... interesting.)
Related Discussions
Help with light switch, outlet, thermostat, towel ring placement
Q
Comments (6)
I'd want the light switch to be at the "standard switch height" for your house. That way there is no searching the wall for the switch in the darkness. Or out of habit. I'd not want the towel hanging on the ring/bar to cover anything up. Nor would I want the wire from whatever is plugged into the outlet to be in the way of any switch or to get tangled with the towel. Will things be permanently plugged into it? Or will it be "time of use" only? That can make a difference. With the Thermostat most likely being the least used and if it can't be set at the same height as the light switch, I'd set that a bit higher up on the wall than the light switch/fan switch combo, but aligned vertically with it. Personally, I prefer fan/light combo timer switches. A single switch controls both. You turn the switch on, the light and the fan come on. You turn the switch off, the light turns off immediately but the fan runs for an additional preset time. If you did that, you could put your fan/light switch and outlet in a dual gang box at the appropriate switch height. Put the thermostat in its own single-gang box a little higher on the wall, but aligned vertically with the switch box. Below that, at a height high enough to keep your draped hand towels off the countertop (if I understand your situation I think it's hand towels), but low enough to deconflict with the outlet, place the towel bar/ring. I'd use painters tape and mock up the locations and see how they work. Unless I'm really misunderstanding your description, I don't think "how they look" will be an issue. "New things" sometimes look weird to the un-used to it eyeball. Once you get used to the look, all will be well. So prioritize substance or functionality over style.
...See More
Front Entry Lighting Height
Q
Comments (2)
Whoa that picture came out huge. Sorry about that. Thank you for the reply Randy. To the bulb...I'll try that and maybe hang up a mock something or other of the same size to get a feel for it. Thanks!
...See More
Help, please: which light for my entryway?
Q
Comments (12)
I like this one, and I doubt it's long enough for the tallest person to hit his head. The negative, of course, is that "closed at the bottom" styles collect bugs in the glass /must be cleaned out occasionally. This one's nice and basic and absolutely a good choice for low ceilings. It too will "collect bugs", but they won't be as visible. I like this one ... but ONLY if you have some other black in the room ... it can't be the only black item. Moravian star lights are taste-specific, but I like them! Again, I'd do this ONLY if you have another star somewhere else in the vicinity. This on-the-ceiling option would work at the entry ... the other, depending upon its placement, could be on a drop. Ehh, no. Yes, but I prefer the above /shorter star. This doesn't look like an entry light to me ... plus, I am not a fan of Edison bulbs. More expensive, shorter lifespan, and one of these days they're not going to be available. I'm also not loving the copper for this placement. I like the first one ... the others are a little "too much" for me. My preference would be for a recessed light. I would not want any kind of statement light which would draw attention to the low ceiling. Disagree. I think a recessed light would like "unfinished" in this spot. I like the 2nd light you posted. Silver always looks great with purple. I read that as blue, but either one looks great with silver.
...See More
Need help in basement design-placement of LED lights, bathroom design
Q
Comments (5)
You may have already thought about this, but dimmer switches will make whatever lighting scheme you decide on more flexible. Also, think about where furniture will be before placing the recessed lighting. 18 months ago we moved into a 25 year old house that had a finished basement (also with some windows, like yours). While they at least had dimmers on the recessed lighting, the placement of some of the cans was puzzling, even considering where they had their furniture when we saw the house before purchasing (the previous owners did the basement fit-out). I like the one room that has cans in the four corners and a central fixture which is a semi-flush 3-light (the cans are placed about two feet from the walls). The result is that the room is lit very evenly without the use of any table or floor lamps. I use the room for an office so I have a desk lamp for task lighting. Even if you don't use the other part of your basement, if you finish it so it could be used for a family room it will be good for your resale value. The next owners may want to put their teenagers down there with a big television. :-) I love the idea of the full bathroom. That is something I don't have in mine.
...See More
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Pretty stingy with the images.

Your vinyl shutters have faded or oxidized and make the home look sad.

There should be shutters on the window over the entrance.

IMO the rest of the shutters would look better in a very dark gray or black.

Here is the entrance with new wall sconces.
Mara S. thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Mara S.
Original Author
last year
Hi Beverly,

Thank you for the mockup. The bronze color works! The style is very elegant.

The summers are brutal on the shutters and door, so painting is already in the pipeline. Your input came just in time!

The black shutters do look nice. (Black was our 2nd color choice when we purchased.) However, there are a lot of black shutters in our neighborhood of cookie-cutter homes, so would a dark brown work instead? Does the blue door stay?

Also, sorry for the misunderstanding about the pic. I thought you wanted only one and I was trying to keep the file down to a manageable size.

Related Stories

WINDOWS These Windows Let In Light at Floor Height

By Joanna Tovia

Low-set windows may look unusual, but they can be a great way to protect your privacy while letting in daylight

HOLIDAYS 10 Ways to Decorate With Outdoor Christmas Lights

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Use these techniques to light up your house and garden for the holiday season

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

ENTERTAINING How to Hang String Lights Outdoors

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Bring a soft, inviting glow to your backyard, porch or patio by installing cafe-style globe lights to twinkle overhead

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 13 Outdoor Lighting Tips for a Safe and Inviting Landscape

By Georgia Madden

Four lighting experts share the secrets to getting your yard’s nighttime lighting right

LIGHTING Cast a Spell With Outdoor Lights

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Make a night on the patio magical or conjure a warm welcome for guests on the porch with well-chosen outdoor lighting fixtures

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Newly Finished and Open to the Outdoors

By Becky Harris

Relaxing, working, playing ... a New Jersey family can pick their pastime in this industrial-style walk-out leading to a new patio

DIY PROJECTS Light Up Your Night With an Easy Outdoor Table Lamp

By Shelly Miller Leer

Hit up Goodwill and the hardware store to make this lamp for a deck or poolside patio in minutes

PLANTING IDEAS 9 Plant-Filled Courtyards, Light Wells and Indoor-Outdoor Nooks

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

See how creative planting solutions transform areas that have low light, high walls and other growing challenges

NEW THIS WEEK 5 Fabulous New Front Entries

By Suzanne Ennis

See how pros use light, space and sumptuous finishes to set the tone of a home from the moment guests enter the door

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

Help with light over kitchen table!

18

two or three light fixtures over island?

3

Ceiling light shade too small for 2 bulbs(pics in comments)

6

Lighting help for powder bath

14

Recommendations for a two light wall mounted vanity light

3