Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Two explosions were reported on Aug. 31 at the flood-hit Arkema plant in Crosby, Tex. (Reuters)

Early Thursday, while Texas wrestled with Hurricane Harvey's aftermath, a powerful reaction belched fireandblack smoke from a chemical factory in Crosby, Tex., 30 miles northeast of Houston.The factory, operated by French chemical company Arkema, lost power in the flood. The refrigeration system used to cool tractor-trailer tankers full of chemicalsfailed.So did the backup generators. There was a popping noise, officials said. Then awarmtanker, full ofliquidorganic peroxides, erupted into flames.

Organic peroxides are extremely flammable, noted the company in a statementon its website Thursday. Arkema said it expected more fires to start and planned to allow the chemicals to burn themselves out.

They're actually very marvelous, said chemistWilliam Carroll,an adjunct professor of chemistry at Indiana University who has worked with organic peroxides for many years. You use them in a way that they fall apart and do so at very specific temperatures. Oneorganic peroxide can be tailored to break up at 30 degrees Celsius [86 degrees Fahrenheit], while another will do so at 40 degrees. The trick is to keep them safely below those temperatures sometimes frozen solid, or, in the case of the Arkema plant, stored as chilled liquids.

When peroxides heat up, they react. Thursday, around 2 a.m. local time, the materials did exactly what they're supposed to do, Carroll said. They decomposed.

A peroxide compound contains two linked oxygen atoms. The peroxide you're perhaps most familiar with, hydrogen peroxide, is a chainof two oxygen atomscapped on both ends with a hydrogen atom. Peroxides are useful because the chemical bond between the oxygen atoms is so unstable. Oxygengreedily snatches electrons from other atoms. Thisrapaciousness makes oxygen a flighty partner when bonded to itself.

Michelle Francl, a chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr, has an antique glass container labeled peroxide in her office. A laboratory safety officer who caught sight of the jaralmost bolted until Francl gave her assurances that it was scrubbed clean. Had it contained dry peroxide, she said, the jar could havecombusted at a jolt.

Peroxides arebasically tiny little molecular canisters of oxygen, Francl said. Theyre designed to break apart and be highly reactive. Its like having a whole bunch of fragile glass molecules.People have used hydrogen peroxide's fizzy instability tobleach hair, disinfect wounds not always arecommendedtechnique and, at high concentrations, propel rockets.

Organic peroxides substitute the hydrogen caps for clusters of carbon plus other elements.There are many kinds of organic peroxides, with almost as many uses. Benzoyl peroxide, as an acnemedication, tears apart proteins inskin bacteria. Arkema advertises a wide range of peroxide products: not just to defeat zitsbut also to kick-startpolymer reactions, to improve the color of resins, to create plastics for pipes and countertops.

Your plastic kitchen countertop, of course, isn't in danger of spontaneous combustion. When manufacturing plastics, the reactive peroxide is aspark, not a building block. Once the peroxide kicks off thea chain reaction,the resulting moleculesbraid together in astable polymer. The beauty of peroxides is their ability to keep the reaction going, churning out free radicals. Every time a radical touches something it turns it into a radical, Francl said. Its like zombies.

It's no coincidence that Texas isthick with chemicalplants, situated alongside natural gas and oil refineries. Where there are fossil fuels there are carbon byproducts, a key component of organic peroxides. Youmight hear oil and think of fuel. But chemists think of lots of little carbon frameworks. Like Lego, Francl said.

And the choice to construct the chemical plant in a rural area was no accident, either, Carroll said. You won't find such a factory in downtown Houston. They're acutely aware that they're working with a reactive material, he said, that has to be handled in a certain way.

The Arkema plant is far from the first to have an accident with organic peroxides. Between 1980 and 2001, there were about a dozen accidents severe enough to trigger reviews from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Francl noted, including a previous event in Crosby in 1998. A handful took place in Pasadena and other nearby Texas cities.

On Thursday, a deputy with the Harris County Sheriffs Office sought treatment for inhaling fumes, The Washington Post reported. Other organic peroxide accidents have resulted in injuries. In 2008, in Edmonton, Alberta, nine people were hospitalizedafter a peroxide holding tank caught fire. (Terrorists have put organic peroxides to the most horrific use. Bombingattacksin Manchester, London, Paris and Brusselsinvolvedtriacetone triperoxide or TATP, a compound also known as mother of Satan.")

If there is a silver lining to the peroxide accident Thursday,thechemicals' reactivity means that they wont stick around in the environment. The chemicals will burn too quickly for floodwaters to sweep any of the liquid away. This is an acute event, not a chronic one, Carroll said.

What's left after such a chemical reaction? Smoke, but mostly carbon dioxide and more water.

Read more:

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The 'extremely flammable' chemical behind the fire in the flooded Texas plant - Washington Post

Jonathan Phelps @JPhelps_MW

HOPKINTON With questions lingering around repeated violations to the town's scenic road bylaw on Saddle Hill Road, the Planning Board ordered a Framingham development company Monday night to stop all tree clearing and site work on the 60-acre property.

Planning Board members are disputing the removal of one or more sections of a stone wall along the designated scenic road, which isn't allowed without a permit from the board.

Representatives of Parsons Commercial Group will return to the Planning Board on Sept. 11 after the board inspects the area and gathers more information. The company is building 11 homes on the property, each of which will have its own driveway. The driveways will require Planning Board approval to remove sections of the wall under the bylaw.

The board will inspect the property Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. The scenic road bylaw applies primarily to removing stone walls and trees along the roadway.

Two weeks ago, principal planner Jennifer Burke learned about the violation. Without a permit, contractors removed a 23-foot section of stone wall so equipment could enter the property. Burke called a halt to the work and Parsons rebuilt the wall with the same stones and used different access for tractor trailer trucks. In a memo to the board, Burke recommended the board fine Parsons $6,900.

"That was a clear violation," she told the board. "They admitted to that."

Planning Board member Frank D'Urso said at Monday night's meeting that he thinks there are at least two violations, and a third possible violation that should be reviewed. He made the motion for all work to be stopped until the next meeting.

"I don't see why they are able to violate scenic road law in three separate places and still be allowed to do whatever they want without answering for what they've done wrong," he said.

John Parsons, president of the company, disagrees with D'Urso.

"I think there is the ability to access the site without breaking the scenic bylaws from the standpoint there was an area located on the street that permitted access because there was no stone wall there," Parsons said.

Saddle Hill Road resident Josh Deisenroth said the company is entering the property from other points.

"There has been a high 18-wheeler in a different spot which had another breach," he said. "They chip all the trees into it and it pulls out and they'll move the rock wall back."

Dave Anderson, project manager for Parsons, said he was on vacation last week and unaware of such activity. He said nothing was done with ill intent.

D'Urso told his fellow board members he has photographs and video of the work.

"I can factually prove what I am saying," he said.

The company previously withdrew a plan to build a 19-home subdivision on the property.

Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 508-626-4338 or jphelps@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JPhelps_MW.

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Developer ordered to stop land clearing in Hopkinton - MetroWest Daily News

A year after the Palaszczuk Government's proposed stronger land clearing laws failed to get through Parliament, vegetation management is shaping up as a major issue at the next election.

The current system is frustrating both the agricultural sector and environmentalists with two major areas of contention.

In 2013, the then LNP Newman government amended the Vegetation Management Act to make it easier for farmers to clear their land for high-value agricultural activities.

When Labor was unsuccessful in reversing that amendment in 2016, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad vowed to instead be tougher when assessing applications and it seems she has followed through.

Despite the legislation being unchanged, just four of 21 applications for clearing for high-value agriculture have been approved since July 2015.

Permit approval numbers are not available for when the LNP was still in government however, figures from the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) show that in 2014-15, 207,000 hectares of land was newly cleared.

George Muirhead from Kendall River Station on Cape York has dealt with government departments under both parties while trying to get approval to clear land for a sorghum plantation.

He said once Labor took control, the process stalled.

"There was a continuous seeking of more information and we provided all that information, including land evaluation, soil testing, drilling and all these things but at the end of the day, they just continually frustrated it," Mr Muirhead said.

"They'd just never respond and they don't seem to have any need to give any reasons either you know; it's very frustrating."

Mr Muirhead said he had spent about $100,000 on the application process, including reports from independent consultants, testing and legal advice but in the end, his application failed to get through the first hurdle.

Land clearing was made easier under the LNP government but several permits are now being investigated.

(Supplied)

Land clearing was made easier under the LNP government but several permits are now being investigated.

President of Agforce, Grant Maudsley, said one of the problems is Section 22A of the Vegetation Management Act, under which the Department of Natural Mines and Resources must rule the application is for a relevant purpose before it can proceed to the State Assessment and Referral Agency.

"Unfortunately, we have no rights of appeal under that process so you can be basically sent back and forward with information requests," he said.

"You can get stalled internally in there without a right of appeal so that's problematic, but it's the legislation that's at fault there."

However, the Queensland Conservation Council's Dr Tim Seelig said Labor was simply assessing applications adequately now.

He said they were using "the proper vigour that should have been there in the first place" regarding independent soils analysis and proper assessment of whether applications were genuinely for high-value cropping.

"As was the case with most of the permits granted by the LNP government, it was really to grow cattle fodder and to clear, essentially for future cattle grazing," Mr Seelig said.

"The administrative rules were tightened up, [and] quite rightly so."

From July, the self-assessable vegetation clearing codes under the vegetation management framework became known as accepted development vegetation clearing codes, following a Department of Natural Resources and Mines review.

Draft revisions of the codes, which allow landholders to thin vegetation and cut trees for fodder under strict guidelines, are currently being developed.

The Conservation Council is concerned the self-assessable codes have created a loophole for large-scale land clearing

(ABC News)

The Conservation Council is concerned the self-assessable codes have created a loophole for large-scale land clearing

David Massurit has a property near St George, in southern Queensland, which he says is overrun by mulga that he feeds to his livestock during drought.

He said he could push some trees down, but he found out the hard way that he was not allowed to remove the dead branches.

"We got into trouble there. Jackie Trad told the tree police to get out from under the benches and go back to work, which they did," Mr Massurit said.

"I'm not game to push over mulga now because I'm not allowed to rake it up."

He said the restrictions had led to thick mulga forests and a reduction in his livestock carrying capacity.

"We are going through an unimproved capital value and we're protesting at the value because our carrying capacity has diminished greatly," he said.

"We are claiming lack of carrying ability due to the thickening of the mulga.

"You want to scream but it gets you nowhere."

Mr Maudsley said landholders were incurring extra expenses to stick to the rules.

"The fact that satellites are going over it just means that people are working harder with GPS systems and tracking and knowing exactly where the boundaries are," he said.

"It's still really complex and it's very confusing for a lot of people, but a lot of contractors are stepping up into this space around having access to real time mapping on their machines because we need to be credible when we stand up and say we're doing the right thing."

David Massurit says his inability to clear mulga has led to his property being de-valued

(ABC Rural: Jodie Gunders)

David Massurit says his inability to clear mulga has led to his property being de-valued

However, Mr Seelig said the codes were not strict enough, and he claims they open a loophole.

"We now have the problem of the codes being used as a back door way of large-scale clearing occurring," he said.

"We understand there have been recommendations made about tightening up particularly the thinning code and to some degree, the fodder code but we haven't seen any change."

A spokesperson for the Environment Minister Steven Miles said Labor would bring stronger land clearing laws to the next election.

She said they were yet to decide on exact changes, but the amendments would be similar to those proposed in 2016.

Link:
Debate over land clearing laws set to reignite at Qld election as current system cut down by all stakeholders - ABC Online

When a real estate partnership out of Vicksburg cleared 12 acres at the busy corner of U.S. 90 and Mississippi 57 in Ocean Springs, aldermens phones lit up with people speculating on what wonderful big box store might be coming.

Well the same company cleared 23 acres on the Gautier side of the intersection. And the news is the same:

We really have nobody coming, said Mart Windham with Waring Oil, part of the real estate partnership. We opened this up because we feel that in the future, something will be there.

Windham pointed out how great the location is Ocean Springs High School is just blocks away and $200,000 to $350,000 homes are springing all around, south of U.S. 90.

In the meantime, hundreds of drivers pass the location and wonder. Its hard not to notice that many acres of trees cleared.

Ocean Springs Alderman Mike Impey said he had more calls about that cleared corner than anything in his tenure in office.

People were dreaming on Facebook Publix, Chick-fil-A, Cracker Barrel?

Everybodys speculating, Windham said. Hey, Id love for a Costco to come there. I live in Ocean Springs.

The discussion in the media has stirred some interest, he said. Hes gotten at least 50 calls.

The company he works with bought the property years ago when it built the convenience store on the southeast corner of where the highways intersect. Its now a Circle K. The company bought the property on the Ocean Springs side to make sure there would be no competition, or perhaps build another store that never materialized.

Its a great intersection for Jackson County, Windham said.

We just want to get it cleaned and keep it mowed make it marketable and eventually something will come there, he said.

If those corners develop, it would be great for Gautier and Ocean Springs. The cities need the tax base retail development in our towns to help us with our taxes.

View post:
New business in Gautier? Real estate company is clearing the way - The Sun Herald

GEORGE TOWN: Twelve cases of land clearing highlighted by the Penang Hill Watch in its report earlier this year were confirmed to have been carried out without approval.

Penang Hill Watch is a watchdog initiative launched by local NGO coalition Penang Forum. It said that on July 25, it received written responses from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), providing details of the 12 cases highlighted in a report in April.

In summary, all 12 cases of hill clearing were not officially approved, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

It said that six were hill clearing on private land without MBPPs approval, for which the council later issued stop-work orders and took legal action.

Five other cases involved state-owned hill land, which saw the council notifying several agencies, including the Forestry Department, the District Office and state Land and Mines Office.

It is obvious from MBPPs response that other government agencies with jurisdiction over state-owned land must be actively engaged to minimise illegal hill clearing, said the forum.

One case, said the forum, involved land clearing in a former quarry, adding that MBPP was discussing with the state legal adviser to resolve the matter.

There is merit in complementing remote monitoring with the field observations that the initiative does, it said.

Reports of hill clearing in Penang can be submitted to pghillswatch@gmail.com.

More:
'No approval for 12 land-clearing cases in Penang hills' - The Star Online

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Landscapes | Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

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Flowery gardens and sculpted lawns bring curb appeal during the day.

And it doesn't take much effort to showcase that same attraction at night.

Lighting, whether inexpensive path lights, or the more elaborate, impressive, expensive landscaped lighting systems, can illuminate trees, bushes, gardens, patios, pathways, stairs, flags, and even homes pointing out what you want others to see (and hiding what you don't).

And while a well-lit lawn may seem like a luxury, it's as simple and affordable as a homeowner wants and needs it to be.

Start with basic-level lawn lighting, solar lights, which draw energy from the sun, store it in batteries, and emit light through low-wattage LED bulbs.

As the technology has improved, particularly the brightness and energy efficiency of the LED bulbs, which last years and now provide close to the same amount of light as standard halogen bulbs, so has the popularity of solar lighting.

What used to occupy a small portion of a store's landscape lighting selection has become the trend in do-it-yourself outdoor lighting, said Wayne Mildenstein, an electrical associate for six years at the Lowe's Sylvania Township location, 7000 Central Ave.

Its a lot cheaper and its a lot easier than other electric-powered lawn lighting, he said. You just stick it in the ground and there it is.

Darrell Smock, a 70-year-old recently retired West Toledo resident, was sold on outdoor solar lighting several years ago for those same reasons. There are now 20 solar-powered lights in his backyard and four in the median in front of his home.

He estimates hes spent $150 on the lighting products in that time, including replacement for the batteries if not entirely new solar lights.

We bought a lot of different ones at different times, he said, but its always been solar powered. We just tried different things. Its cheap enough that you can change it up of you dont like it.

When asked how important the lawn lights were to him, he laughed.

Its more important to Jo, his wife, he said. But its nice to have.

Solar-powered lights arent just for pathways, but can be decorative and fun, like the Gemmy Outdoor Decorative Lantern at Lowes ($15), a Mason jar with a string of 20 tiny LEDs inside meant to resemble fireflies, which can be hung outside or set on a table or windowsill.

But there are some downsides.

Solar-powered lights dont provide as much light as an electric light source.

Solar power shows where a a path is, Mr. Mildenstein said. The wired ones light up the place.

And because solar-powered lights are powered by the sun, cloudy days will keep them from recharging the battery. Its also best to take them out before winter; a winter freeze is not good for the batteries.

And even then, expect to replace the solar-powered lights at least the batteries every two or three years.

The next step up are low-voltage wired LED lights, which combine the lifespan and low-energy of solar lighting but without the hassle of battery replacement or even winter storage. The system requires a transformer, LED lights, and the wiring that connects them, and can be covered by top soil or even mulch.

Its fairly simple to do, said Mike Whitmore, showroom sales lighting specialist for Gross Electric, 2807 N. Reynolds Rd.

A lot of people are afraid of electricity, but with this system its low voltage, as little as only 12 volts, he said. Just pick a location to put in the transformer thats close to the an outlet, then just attach the light to that cable. Its very easily done.

But dont get carried away with lighting up the lawn at least at the beginning, Mr. Whitmore added.

I usually tell people to start out small, dont light everything you see. Pick out focal points: trees, bushes, plants what youll probably want to light because you paid money for people to see them."

The system can also be much bigger, with flood lights in the trees and on the ground, small lights to brighten stairs and rails, underneath statues or other lawn fixtures, and along lengthy pathways.

Theres a lot of different technologies for landscape lighting, depending on what youre trying to do, he said.

Gross Electric has installed lighting systems all over the northwest Ohio, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. But the store also offers a free course a few times a year for those who want to do it themselves.

Thats why were here, he said, to help you lay out the system and all the system pieces and parts.

Contact Kirk Baird at: kbaird@theblade.comor 419-724-6734.

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The light touch: LED bulbs, solar options can accent lawns, gardens - Toledo Blade

This press release is submitted and shown here in its original form, unedited by Furniture Today.

New York, NY, August 31, 2017 NorthCape and Libby Langdon are heading to the Chicago Casual Market with four new outdoor collections that expand the designers vision of modern outdoor living. The new designs will be displayed in a comprehensive presentation inside NorthCapes Merchandise Mart showroom (Space 16-112) featuring rugs, lighting and accessories from the designers growing constellation of brand partners.

The creative force behind New York City-based interior design firm, Libby Interiors, Inc., Libby Langdon is one of the fastest-growing home furnishings brands in the business and quickly making her mark in the outdoor category. A high-profile, media-savvy advocate for her brand partners who intimately understands the needs of retailers and designers, she wowed visitors to the Traditional Home Hampton Showhouse this summer with a show-stopping patio space reflecting her easy, elegant, everyday style.

With a fresh aesthetic powered by near-daily conversations with consumers across the country about how they want to live now, the designer, author and makeover television personality says more and more people are realizing that they can create complete, cozy and comfortable outdoor rooms in the same way they would their indoor rooms.

Indeed, The new collections for NorthCape by Libby Langdon incorporate all the design elements you would expect to see in your living room, but instead are available to furnish your outdoor space, noted retailer Alisa Jamieson, sales and customer service manager at Chicago-based LuxeDecor during the ICFA Preview Show this summer. The innovative and uniquely designed collections feature a relaxed yet tailored look that is visually pleasing and comfortable.

As interior trends moving outdoors continue to build momentum, it was obvious that we needed to find an experienced interior designer to help us come up with the right concepts, looks and functional ideas for the worlds new outdoor spaces, says Tom Murray, president, NorthCape. We had a strong history of on-target product development that helped us attract and build a great dealer base, but we also knew there were more dealers and end-users out there that we were not appealing to. Engaging Libby Langdon to attract those new dealers and excite existing dealers was a no-brainer.

Lighting up the NorthCape space will be the new licensed outdoor lighting collection, Libby Langdon for Crystorama. According to Langdon, finding chic, transitional lighting thats not too traditional or fussy, and not too modern and cold has long been a challenge. No more. Ive been looking for an outdoor lighting line that is fresh and exciting, that balances elegance and sophistication with affordability, says retailer Norman Wollach at Jacksons Home & Garden in Dallas. Libby hit the mark.

Also on view, an assortment of outdoor rugs in multiple patterns and colorways from Langdons latest licensing partnership with KAS Rugs. As Tammy Wheatley, buyer for Statuary World Patio & Fireside in Oklahoma City, reports, Its going to be great to offer outdoor rug options that have been custom designed by Libby to coordinate with our current outdoor fabrics!

At the center of it all is, of course, Libbys NorthCape furniture designs. Heres a detailed look at the collections set to be unveiled in Chicago:

The Taylor Collection

Further blurring the lines between elegant interior and exterior design, the clean-lined Taylor Collection by Libby Langdon for NorthCape combines upholstered Textiline all-weather material, luxe cushioning and an aluminum dark wood-look frame for the perfect balance of comfort and durability. A dynamic mix of textures and materials add dimension and versatility, from the nutmeg-colored, slubby-weave material on the outside of the upholstered chairs, sofa and loveseat, to the table tops with travertine stone-look ceramic tile with a creamy marbling detail. The transitional dining table features a dark wood-look aluminum frame and an angular base frame design with clear glass that shows off the sleek lines and shapely details of the base.

Weston Collection

Sleekly styled with angular, architecturally influenced lines, the versatile Weston Collection by Libby Langdon for NorthCape is designed to work in a variety of settings from outdoor coastal to contemporary, depending on the cushion and colorways that dress it. With a narrow, stainless-steel silver frame wrapped in natural-look jute twine that fits in all size spaces, Weston pops against dark wood decks, is ideal for modern, light-tile patios, and is simply stunning against gray, salt-washed settings. The geometric woven resin lower shelf is highlighted with the glass-tops on the side and cocktail tables, and echoed on the fire table where a stainless steel band wrap emphasizes the mixed material theme, and generous inner-seating width and depth make for great comfort.

The Mooring

The Mooring by Libby Langdon for NorthCape is a sophisticated combination of textures and materials creating an elegant look that is tailored and transitional with exceptional durability. Mixing dual, side-by-side, dark walnut willow-weave panels with an oil-rubbed bronze aluminum frame finish feels rich and luxurious, while the high legs on the sofa, loveseat and lounge chair keep the look light and airy. Finished in the oil-rubbed bronze aluminum, the dining tables beautifully styled, classically inspired trestle is set off by a Dura-Wood smoke gray wood textured top for just the right amount of contrast. Dining chairs in both stationary and swivel options feature sleek arms for a slim profile, while comfortable and generous inner-seat cushions provide width and depth.

The Live Edge Table Collection

Inspired by the interior trend toward natural wood slab tabletops, the Live Edge Table Collection by Libby Langdon for NorthCape is designed to work beautifully with numerous NorthCape and Libby Langdon Collections. Offered in dining, end and cocktail tables, the natural wood-look slab tabletop features a stylish, yet simple oil-rubbed base that makes the live-edge top star of the show. Like all Libby Langdon designs for NorthCape, the emphasis is on creating an eclectic mix with unique pieces that work seamlessly with many different dining chair and lounge seating styles.

For more information, please visit http://www.northcape.com .

# # #

About LIBBY LANGDON

Libby Langdon is an Interior designer, author, product designer and makeover television personality, as well as the creative force behind New York City-based design firm, Libby Interiors, Inc. She is fast becoming known for her growing collections of branded home furnishings collections for leading manufacturers including Crystorama, Bradburn Gallery, NorthCape and most recently rugs for KAS. Her interior designs and home products have been featured in leading shelter magazines: Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens, and Womans Day and Langdon has been a regular design expert on NBCs TODAY Show, HGTVs Small Space, Big Style, The View, The Rachael Ray Show, The Early Show and NBCs Open House. Langdon travels across the country presenting seminars to consumers, designers and retailers about all things design.

About NORTHCAPE

From humble beginnings in the 1980s of a lone entrepreneur importing and selling wicker furniture at flea markets to the successful international company that it is today, NorthCape is an industry leader for both design and value of outdoor furniture, cushions and accessories. NorthCape offers multiple distribution points, as well as a wide range of logistical options, including direct import, cross-dock and consolidation programs. With such a plan, our company is able to keep both lead times and freight cost to a minimum. By adding two domestic sewing manufacturing facilities, as well as a comprehensive cushion and pillow program, our customers are given more options, flexibility and a greater return on investment. With the right mixture of style, comfort and value, NorthCape is proud to offer exceptional casual furniture that our customers can be proud to own.

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LIBBY LANGDON AND NORTHCAPE EXPAND VISION FOR MODERN OUTDOOR LIVING - Furniture Today

Place landscape fixtures to highlight features, create special effects, enhance safety.

Late summer is when the all of the energy and money youve invested in creating a beautiful landscape is in full bloom. The daylight hours are waning but the nights are still balmy, making this the perfect time to think about outdoor lighting that is both functional and shows off your landscape design.

Outdoor lighting extends a homes entertainment area, and is also aesthetically pleasing when viewing the yard from indoors, says Eddie Uyeta, president and CEO of Uyeta Landscape and Maintenance in Renton. Were lucky that our gardens can thrive well into November and December. Its nice to be able to enjoy those colors from your office, dining area or bedroom window even after the sun goes down.

Safety first

At a glance

Areas to consider outdoor lighting include:

When planning outdoor lighting, start with functionality which translates to safety. What areas need well-lit pathways? And, where do you want to focus light for home protection? You may want a spotlight on your home security signage to deter would-be thieves, and motion-detector lights over the garage and front door.

One of the biggest decorative questions people have is in choosing path lights, Uyeta says. There are hundreds of choices and you can get as fancy as you want to. Just make sure to choose fixtures that match the architectural design of your house.

Path lights are worth investing in because they are highly visible, sticking out of the ground 15-24 inches. You can save money on the other smaller lighting fixtures that are installed in-ground or down-lit from trees for soft ambience.

Decorative lighting

There are three basic styles of decorative lighting that an expert can combine to create the perfect evening ambience.

The best lighting is when you dont really notice its there, just the effects, Uyeta says. The ideal result is the same lighting you get with a full moon bright but not glaring. This is better though, because you cant control moonlight or clouds.

Technology is making it easier than ever to control all of your lighting requirements. A control panel on your laptop, tablet or smartphone controls everything from the time the lights switch on and off, to different levels of lighting in different areas of the yard, to colorful LED lighting options.

The beauty of LED lighting is that it uses very little electricity and its fun, Uyeta says. You can light up your backyard in green and blue for a Seahawks barbecue after the game, and then easily change back to your everyday lighting scheme.

Uyeta Landscape & Maintenancehas been family owned since 1967. Our caring and knowledgeable team has over 50 years experience combining art and science into landscape environments that leave clients and communities with a sense of pride and place.

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Put your home and yard in the best light - Seattle Times