Set deep within a wooded estate in Bellevue, Washington, the Bellevue Residence property offered the perfect opportunity to showcase the quiet power of layered, artistic outdoor lighting. With a long private drive, mature trees, manicured gardens, and strong architectural features, this residence called for a design that was elegant, restrained, and highly functional.
Northwest Outdoor Lighting was brought in to create a system that would guide guests, accent natural beauty, and bring comfort and cohesion to the property after dark.
Our approach focused on blending soft, warm lighting with strong vertical accents to create rhythm, orientation, and mood. Every fixture was selected and placed to disappear by day and deliver impact by night. We used LED-integrated in-grade lights, path markers, and uplights with narrow to wide beam spreads depending on the plant or structure.
As the driveway curves to reveal the home, a cluster of birch trees were lit with high-output uplights to emphasize their white trunks and layered foliage. The home’s facade was softly washed to enhance the shape of the entryway and roofline, and to highlight the emerald-green front door. These elements together form a dramatic and refined entry sequence.
A final view from the rear of the driveway reveals the full layered lighting strategy: layered tree lighting, architectural glows, and garden accents that create a warm, cohesive rhythm across the property. No zone was left untouched, yet the overall effect remains elegant and restrained.
This project transformed the estate into a nighttime destination. Every approach, every turn of the path, every pause in the garden has been considered. The lighting system enhances usability, improves safety, and magnifies the natural beauty already present in the landscape.
The Bellevue Residence project is a masterclass in restraint and craftsmanship. It proves that great lighting doesn’t demand attention—it earns it through precision, nuance, and purpose. At Northwest Outdoor Lighting, we believe in revealing beauty, not overwhelming it. This Bellevue property now glows with grace.
Completion
2016
Quantity of Fixtures
25
Services Provided
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Driveway & Entry Corridor
A series of low-profile in-grade fixtures were installed along both sides of the driveway to subtly highlight the white fence line and guide drivers safely after dark. The lighting mimics a runway effect—providing direction without harshness—and sets a welcoming tone before the home is even in view.
Front Garden & Weeping Cedar Feature
Near the front steps, a weeping cedar drapes over a large boulder. A narrow-beam fixture was placed low within the dry creek bed to spotlight the tree’s graceful arc while casting shadows that ripple across the stone surface. It’s an example of our "light-as-sculpture" approach.
Curved Pathway and Plant Beds
Soft path lighting was added along the curve of the front walkway, using warm 2700K LEDs to avoid harsh contrast. Uplights were placed throughout the beds to accent ornamental maples, conifers, and grasses—each becoming a focal point within the landscape composition.