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IN HIS FINAL INSTALMENT, NEIL PARSLOW EXPLAINS WHY CHEAP IS NOT AN OPTION WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHT FITTINGS   Choosing light fittings can be a daunting task. There’s an overwhelming amount of product choices on the market, ranging from cheap plastic spike lights to high-end, innovative LED fittings that are long lasting and packed with features. Buying cheap, poorly designed and constructed fittings may well suit certain clients’ requirements and budgets, but this usually tends to be a false economy as the fittings will not stand up to the harsh exterior conditions experienced throughout the year. If the client’s budget...

EXTERIOR STRUCTURES MAKE A GREAT GARDEN FOCAL POINT – NEIL PARSLOW EXPLAINS HOW TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN SO WITH THE RIGHT LIGHTING, EVEN AT NIGHT Lighting exterior structures can sometimes produce a challenging aspect to the overall design. This often makes itself apparent when taking into consideration the cohesion between functional, accent and safety lighting commonly associated with structures and aesthetically pleasing designs. Structures such as arbours, gazebos, summer houses and even treehouses can play a part in a lighting design. Certain structures require more attention to detail, depending on their intended use within the landscape. This also applies to...

NEIL PARSLOW RECOMMENDS SOME WELL-CONSIDERED AND STRATEGIC LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR PATHWAYS Lighting paths and walkways within gardens visually connects different areas and allows for the safe navigation through the landscape. When soft lighting is added to paths – coupled with the surrounding lighting of trees, shrubs and sculptures – the user is encouraged to be drawn along the pathway to a destination, or for a scenic stroll along a looped path. Path lighting can be implemented in several ways, from traditional raised pole mount spread lights to recessed path lights, The most unobtrusive and natural way is by means of downlighting...

WHEN LIGHTING TREES, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS TO BEAR IN MIND FOR THE BIGGEST IMPACT – NEIL PARSLOW SHARES HIS ADVICE Lighting trees is possibly the most rewarding aspect of landscape lighting design, due to the wide variety of trees available within the landscape. With majestic oaks, potted acers, dense evergreens and deciduous trees with translucent foliage available, trees offer a truly diverse way to add cohesion to a lighting scene and can look amazing when lit properly. Many times I have seen single high wattage flood lights used to light large trees. Although this is a cost...

NEIL PARSLOW DOLES OUT ADVICE FOR AVOIDING THE PITFALLS OF LIGHTING WATER FEATURES  Waterfalls, fountains, pools and ponds, lakes, streams and rills all benefit from lighting when it comes to designing an exterior scheme, and there are several methods in which each can be illuminated. During the design stage, however, there are a few factors which need to be taken into account. We all know that water has the ability to refract light, and this can have a negative effect on the overall lighting scheme if not planned for in advance. Each type of water feature displays the water in...