Luminous

winter and holiday lightingI have had numerous emails and calls about the holiday and winter lighting available at Detroit Garden Works. To follow is a a quick look at some of the different types of lighting that we have available. We do manufacture light rings from steel, as hoops that can be hung in a window, or a tree. We also manufacture light rings with spiked stands that can be pushed into the ground or a container. We string those hoops with incandescent brown corded mini lights, or LED light strings. Take your pick. We can string light rings to order. For more information on the sizes and prices, check out this page in the Seasonal section of the Detroit Garden Works website.  Any other questions, or a request for a shipping quote, email heather@detroitgardenworks.com.  Detroit Garden Works light rings

light ringslots of hoopla-love this

lumineo lightingA Dutch company designs and manufactures some of the best LED string lighting we have ever worked with.  The black cords are flexible, and not visually prominent. The color is as warm as incandescent lighting, and much more reliable and long lived. They are shatterproof, and are reputed to last 50,000 hours or 10 years. They draw very little electricity, so they are very inexpensive to run. They are an investment up front, but the ease of use and longevity helps to make stringing lights for a good number of holiday seasons easy.  For more information, see this page on our website:     Lumineo LED twinkle light strings

lumineo LED cluster light stingsLumineo also makes a cluster light string, where the lights are much closer together.  This lighted curtain has 4 strings of lights. There are those moments when fire power is the primary objective. As far as I am concerned, the more light I can add to my winter, the better.  For more information on these cluster lights, click away.  Lumineo cluster light strings

flocked artificial Christmas treeThis artificial tree from Lumineo features a cord breakthrough-the cords are clear, and are unobtrusive.  This tree does not need another thing added to it. A  flocked tree from Lumineo

edison lightsOn the opposite end of the spectrum, these light strings feature giant bulbs with multi strand filaments, designed and manufactured from inspiration drawn from vintage lighting   Rob calls them Edison lights, named after Thomas Edison, of course. The cord is heavy and thick. The lights draw a lot of electricity, and are expensive to replace.

edison lightsThis is our second year hanging them outdoors in our lindens. They are something else to see.   the Edison lights

LED lighted starDetroit Garden Works carries many versions of holiday and winter lighting-I like this. I am a landscape designer, who designs by the sun, or the lack of it. The coming winter season is more dark than light. Gardeners can garden with light this winter season. Just saying.

luminous-winter-lighting-8Battery operated LED lights on silver wire; so beautiful!   I am not convinced yet that battery operated lights can be used over time outdoors.  No battery likes cold conditions.  But I feel sure that the day is coming when battery operated lights will stand up and function perfectly outdoors.

lumineo star lightingLumineo star lights

lumineo star lightingLumineo star lights-these high powered short garlands are great for a mantle, a coffee table, or a powder room. The light is brilliant, set on a light surface.  Set on a dark surface, the light is more subdued. I so appreciate lighting materials that are obliging to a particular situation, and a particular person. The new LED lighting is so person friendly.  LED powered star garlands

 

battery operated LED lighted treesThese LED powered trees are battery operated.

luminariaNot a fan of light generated by electricity? I get that. So do our gardening clients. These laser cut steel fire powered luminaria are sold out. There are so many ways to light the winter night, both inside and out.  Choose what appeals to you. My winter and holiday container work is in full swing.  Thinking through the lighting comes before the selection of materials and construction. You’ll see.

 

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Comments

  1. Wow! Just WOW! :O)

  2. Seems like you need a better camera or a real photographer to take your photos–they aren’t as sharp as they could be and the lighting is on the drab side. You have such lovely things to photograph and the photos could be so much better. I’ve been looking at your work all summer and fall which is so wonderful–not the photography!

    • Deborah Silver says

      Dear L Simcus, you are right, I am not a professional photographer. But I do give it my best. regards, Deborah

    • Dear Deborah,
      I very much appreciate your ability to beautifully capture the definitive moment, be it a retail item, a store shot or (of particular note) your landscape design.
      I worked in Contemporary Art and Photography for 20+ years in New York and have a good and objective eye. I enjoy learning about your methodology and creative process so I can be a better designer and gardener. The images are visual metaphors for your aesthetic in ways that words cannot convey.
      Happy Holidays, and thank you for continuing to be generous with your knowledge and expertise for us amateurs!

  3. My favorite blog – thank you for all your postings. Always beautiful work! Just FYI those starry lights on a silver wire come with copper wires and plugs – so you can used them outside. They are not tested by time, but you can find them on Amazon. Maybe not for resale, but we are using them in our displays.

    • Deborah Silver says

      Thanks Jenny, I will just be glad when a manufacturer develops lighting for people with no source of power. best, Deborah

  4. Lynn Taggart says

    Dear Deborah,
    Our small band of Unitarian Universalist church garden warriors follows your blog “religiously” (sorry). We often find that just when we are debating an issue, you are writing about the very same thing. Just now we are trying to figure out how to get light into our winter exterior displays. We have no access to electricity, and we, like you, don’t think much of the current crop of battery operated lights. Have you worked with solar powered string lights (and if so, can you recommend a manufacturer)? It would seem our best solution, but lights are not in our budget. We are all willing to chip in out of our own pockets, but we want to make sure we’re making a good investment. Any thoughts?

  5. I like the photos too. I think they help us see as you see, through the gardener’s
    eye.

  6. Lisa Chiappinelli says

    Hi Deborah! A few years back you mentioned the cut greens you liked to work with for winter containers that last the longest through the holiday season and still look good in late winter. I’ve scoured the blogs but not readily finding. Can you help? Regards and I love love love your blog and designs! Lisa

  7. Hi Deborah,

    I stumbled on your blog a couple of years ago via googles. Even though I am zone 8b, I admit I have tried to replicate your winter containers with my own twist. It isn’t easy to make them look even close. I admire your willingness to share your ideas and experiences. Your writing skills tend to diminish my scrooge attitude this time of year and help put things in perspective. I need to try to use more of my local plant material in my containers as I can spend a fortune on branches sent from up north. I wish I could borrow you for a day!

    • Deborah Silver says

      Dear Kane, your letter is charming and funny-thanks for sending it. Making anything-a garden, a model airplane, a dress, a pot -or a winter container-makes good use of a pair of hands,a mind,and a heart. Exercise is good. all the best, Deborah

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