Exterior lighting can make even the finest house, building or courtyard more inviting. It’s not only a statement of taste, but can also be a clue to what you will find inside. The mood can be continued from the entrance to the rear, garage and landscape design. Manufacturers are also offering more environmentally friendly lighting choices to the consumer. Whatever you choose can show off an eclectic taste or remain true to the architectural bones of your home.

Here are a few of my favorite outdoor lighting resources, with styles ranging from cutting-edge modern to transitional.

I’m a longtime fan of Boyd Lighting (boydlighting.com). Known for timeless, elegant designs, Boyd has an extensive innovative product line that features a number of finish and lamping options.

The Phantom Sconce, by BraytonHughes Design Studios with Sherry Williamson, provides brilliant exterior illumination and energy efficient LED lamping. And yes, the light’s glow is as ethereal and mysterious as its name. It’s amazing how this brilliant new technology makes the sconce seem magically lit!

[image: Boyd Lighting]

“The Belvedere Sconce,” says designer Barbara Barry, is a piece that “is well crafted, solid and timeless.” It can be used indoors as well as outdoors and blends beautifully with almost any architecture. I love the way this light can blend with any type of architecture, making it a superb example of “transitional” style.

[image: Boyd Lighting]

The Imperial Sconce, designed by Doyle Crosby, is part of a collection including pendants and post lamps. The sconces are available in two sizes and in antiqued copper and aluminum finishes.

This sconce reminds me of a country-cabin, Arts-and-Crafts architectural statement, especially in the copper finish. I love the way the copper rods curve around the glass, making it seem as though it glows in the dark.

[image: Boyd Lighting]

Global Lighting (globallighting.com) embraces a modern aesthetic using innovative materials and a sense of humor to produce some of its designs. Its award-winning, eco-friendly products are made in Europe and modified in the United States.

For your outside patio, deck or dock, the Frame light is an open rectangular prism of injected aluminum with your choice of energy efficient LED or fluorescent lamping, and is available in three sizes. I can just imagine myself sitting outside reading near the Frame light and relaxing in its glow.

[Image: Global Lighting]

A strong commitment to the environment is the focus of Luceplan (luceplan.com). The company produces high-efficiency interior and exterior lighting products; saving energy is its top priority. The Solar Bud can accompany your footsteps in the dark. The little light is powered by a battery recharged by sunlight and therefore needs no electric wiring. It can line your paths, doorways and driveway. I would love to walk alongside these little lights on a moonlit excursion.

[image + main image: Luceplan]