Outdoor Lighting: Try it Before You Buy It!

MARY DRESSER, RLA ALSA • August 15, 2016

The one area of design and installation that can literally transform a very nice outdoor environment into a spectacular, never-want-to leave-it, kind of backyard space... is outdoor lighting.


Not only will outdoor lighting add a tremendous amount of visual appeal, but it will also open up a whole new world of enjoyment as you will be able to utilize your outdoor space into the night.


With our new low-voltage lighting demo kit, we now have the ability to bring a lighting demonstration right to your patio, sidewalk, landscape or outdoor area and test different effects and lighting positions.

A large house with a swimming pool in front of it

The demo kit contains 15 fixtures with pathlights and uplights. You’ll be able to see first-hand the dramatic difference lighting can make to your outdoor environment. We can show you various placements and design ideas to highlight different features, provide drama, provide lighting for safety or just neat ways to use lights that you’ve probably never even thought of.


We can then put a plan and budget together so you know not only what you’ll be getting, but how it will look. Give us a call to schedule your lighting demo today!

A landscape lighting design guide is available for download now.
A woman is sitting at a desk in front of a computer.

Mary Hatch Dresser is a Registered Landscape Architect with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia School of Environmental Design. Mary has designed landscapes for 32 years and joined ETW exclusively in 2009. Mary is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA); and also serves on the Shade Tree Committee in Strasburg Borough where she resides. Mary prides herself in carefully listening to her clients to professionally meld their ideas and personal criteria with sound, experienced design practice.

An aerial view of a large swimming pool surrounded by a stone fence.

Harrisburg, PA Pool & Landscape Design Case Study: Creating a Family-Friendly Backyard

By MARY DRESSER, RLA ALSA • October 16, 2019
Even with a large property, it can sometimes be challenging to design an outdoor space that everybody in the family loves and can utilize to the fullest. That was certainly the case for this landscape design near Harrisburg, PA, for a family with four active boys.
A large house with a large patio and stairs leading to it.

Patio and Deck Combinations: Which to Do First, Ideas, and Pro Design & Construction Tips

By JAROD HYNSON, PRESIDENT • September 23, 2019
We’ve been fortunate to have been provided countless opportunities to work with clients on a wide variety of projects over the years. One of the most common areas of focus is backyard living spaces. A great way to get the most out of a backyard is often accomplished by adding (or renovating) both a patio and a deck. Patio and deck combinations are a great way to fully maximize the use of your living area, not only horizontally, but vertically, too. An upper-level deck that leads down to a lower level patio will absolutely give you lots of fantastic outdoor living space to use and enjoy to the fullest.
There is a fire pit in the middle of the backyard.

Sloped Backyard Case Study: Under Deck Patio, Fire Pit, Steps & More

By MARY DRESSER, RLA ALSA • August 9, 2019
The natural setting of this backyard, which backs up to surrounding woods, was one of the aspects that the homeowner of this property loved most. It was a peaceful and perfect environment for the avid gardener and for someone who truly loved being engulfed in nature. However, the functionality of the property was something that was desired to be improved upon. Since the homeowner enjoyed entertaining and spending a lot of time outdoors, a solution to remedy the condition of the sloped backyard was needed so the space could be utilized to its full potential.
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