Some homes just have soul—and this Mount Pleasant residence stands as one of the most unique we at Moonlighting Landscape Lighting Systems have come across. Just over the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, this property blends a Southwestern color palette with Southeastern flair: a sprawling river stone driveway, tan stucco exterior, brick hardscaping, and a yard/garden filled with Carolina palmettos, hollies, and oaks. But it’s the minor details that truly shine— an obelisk water feature, cherubic sculptures, the Angel Gabriel, and even the Buddha were hiding in this nighttime landscape. We didn’t want all of this personality to fade into the shadows.
The Goal: More Than Just Illumination
The client introduced us to his existing system that was in need of an overhaul. The fixtures were aging, the light levels and temperatures were becoming unbalanced, and the overall effect didn’t match the property’s vibrancy. We saw an opportunity not to just replace fixtures and lamps, but to enhance and refocus the entire nighttime experience of the homeowner using our fixture lineup, a refined design plan, and a consistent palette of EmeryAllen 3000K lamps.
Design Identity: Earth Tones & Candlelight Warmth
Everything about this home—its color palette, its texture, its landscape elements—called for a warmth reminiscent of candlelight. That made our choice easy: 3000K EmeryAllen lamps across the board. The soft amber glow of EmeryAllen’s 3000K MR16 and MR11 lamps elevated every feature and helped us avoid the all-too-common trap of going too cool with architectural lighting. The end result feels intentional, not industrial. The result looks lived in, not staged. Ambient, not industrial.
From the tan stucco walls to the desert-toned brick, the lighting blended effortlessly and created a cozy, curated feel that didn’t just reveal the architecture—it revered it.
Highlighting the Details
This project gave us opportunities to layer light, experiment with techniques like silhouette lighting and dynamic surface washing with water lights, and embrace other new challenges.
The Architecture
The house is rich in both texture and color. Instead of lighting the structure directly, we used the surrounding palms, statues, and trees to throw dramatic shadows across the façade—adding dimension while maintaining subtlety.
The Obelisk Fountain
To the right of the front entry stands a tall obelisk water feature. We used four underwater fixtures to create a “dancing water” effect that highlights both the fountain’s height and texture. It was as effective as it was mesmerizing.
The Cherubs & the Buddha
Each sculpture deserved special attention. Two cherubs were softly lit from below, while the five-foot-tall Buddha backed by warm-washed brick—became a personal favorite. The deep-toned stone of the statue stood in stark contrast to the surrounding brick, creating a peaceful, cinematic moment within the space.
Warmth at the Entryway
Along the short brick wall at the front of the property, we created a welcoming entry by up lighting a line of crepe myrtles and selectively downlighting every other tree. The greyhound statues flanking the front walkway were silhouette-lit for strong contrast, casting long shadows and adding elegance to the path.
The Challenge: Lighting an Angel with Intention
At the far end of the property, beyond a long alley of mature Holly trees, stood a striking statue of the angel Gabriel—hands folded in intercession, gazing upward. We initially tried a single in-ground fixture with a 60-degree beam, but it quickly became clear during a night visit that Gabriel’s hands were blocking the light from reaching his face.
That wasn’t going to cut it.
We added two compact fixtures with MR11 EmeryAllen lamps, positioned subtly on either side. The result? A balanced, reverent glow that brought the angel’s expression into full view. It’s the kind of detail that makes all the difference—and it’s only possible with lamps that deliver both precision and warmth in a minimal footprint.
Why EmeryAllen?
We needed a lamp that could deliver on three fronts:
● Color consistency that wouldn’t clash with architectural tones
● Compact sizing for discreet placement near sculptures and planting beds
● High Color Rendering Index (CRI) to ensure textures and colors appeared vivid and true to life.
EmeryAllen checked every box. Their 3000K LEDs helped us unify a complex, mixed-material landscape with warm, beautiful light that made every detail feel alive.
Layered Tree & Canopy Lighting
When it came to the landscaping the approach was simple but dramatic.
● Birds-of-paradise were lit low and wide, accentuating their sculptural shape
● Multi-head palms: were lit with wide angle beam spreads to illuminate all canopy heads
● Wide Fishtail Palms were double-lit from two angles to create a soft, dimensional glow without shadow gaps
● Canopy Trees: Were illuminated from multi angles to accentuate them from the main interior viewing corridors
A Word from the Homeowner
"Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. When walking the Charleston streets at night, many of the classic homes are lit up, and one is struck with how the lighting enhances the beauty of the historic architecture. The desire to try and recreate some of that Charleston led me to Moonlighting and EmeryAllen, who combined to beautify our home in such a unique way."
– Dan M.
In Conclusion: The Art of Atmosphere
At Moonlighting, we believe great lighting isn’t just about visibility—it’s about creating an atmosphere. This project is a prime example of how thoughtful design can bring a homeowner’s vision to life. EmeryAllen allows us to go above and beyond our clients’ expectations consistently with warmth and precision. We’re proud to partner with a manufacturer whose products continue to meet our high-quality expectations in both performance and aesthetic value.
– Davis White : Project Manager & Designer of Moonlighting Landscape Lighting Systems in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina.
