Hamburg, NJ
Pool House Lighting in Hamburg
At NatureScape, we love when clients come to us not only for landscape lighting but the entire experience that professionally designed lighting can bring to any space. That’s how it started with the owners of this Hamburg (Hardyston) timber framed pool house. They were not only looking for their own weekend escape but wanted to bring family, friends, employees and clients to a place that felt like an exotic resort.
We have designed and implemented several lighting projects, both interior and exterior, so it was only natural that they involved us early in the planning process for their pool house. The architect’s plans for the pool house did not include lighting inside or outside the structure, giving us a blank slate to work with.
Designing Outdoor Lighting for a True Timber Frame Structure
The lighting design for this space needed to accent the massive architectural details, illuminate the space for after-dark entertaining and add the sparkle that only lighting can bring. All the fixtures needed to be rated for outdoor use and able to withstand humidity, as the pool house is not air conditioned or heated.
The pool house was constructed from heavy Douglas fir timbers, which were sawn and assembled without the use of nails, and pinned with oak dowels by Cedar Creek Timber Frames. With such a massive structure, wiring could be challenging, but working closely with the timber frame expert allowed NatureScape to plan provisions for the lighting installation in advance, as there were several ‘tricky areas” to reach.
Creating An Inviting Atmosphere with Vintage Industrial Pool House Lighting
Our clients are drawn to warm colors of a darker tint, natural wood finishes and antiques – lots of antiques! After reviewing just a couple of choices for decorative fixtures, we decided copper was the material of choice and ‘vintage industrial’ was the look we sought.
The cedar tongue & groove ceiling was grazed with uplights and walls washed with downlights. All are fitted with LED lamps offering long life, energy efficiency and warm comfortable illumination. Hanging pendants and matching wall sconces use clear glass carbon filament bulbs for an authentic look.
One of our favorite features is the cast concrete bar counter top made to look like aged wood – it truly is a work of art. With pendants hanging directly over the bar, its surface is well-lit, so we attached custom built LED strip lighting to its underside to accent the cedar-clad knee wall.
Project Results: A Spectacular Outdoor Retreat
The outdoor lighting project produced a truly stunning result. The front patio, a popular gathering place, serves as a perfect transition area between the interior and the surrounding landscape. A large hanging pendant, combined with nearby wall sconces and recessed uplights, illuminates the space beautifully. The guests can enjoy the breathtaking view of the pond and stream feature, as well as the swimming pool and the surroundings. The vintage industrial fixtures, warm LED lighting, and thoughtful placement have resulted in a pool house that seamlessly integrates with the natural beauty of its surroundings, creating an inviting and gorgeous space.
In Conclusion
We're incredibly grateful to the owners of this wonderful pool house for entrusting us with their lighting design project. If you're looking to create a similar outdoor retreat or want to elevate your outdoor space with custom lighting, we would be honored to work with you. Contact us today to schedule a lighting design consultation and transform your outdoor space into an inviting and breathtaking oasis.
Photo Credit: Jeff Goldberg
