Lighting the Arrival
Transforming A Coastal Escape

Lighting design, premium materials & coastal conditions shape the clients landscape into a warm and refined nighttime experience

Along a quiet stretch of the Westhampton coastline, where ocean air meets refined architecture, a new dimension was added to the landscape with customized lighting. Framed by a series of neighboring homes and anchored by a central property, Hamptons Landscape Lighting was brought in to create a a full-property lighting strategy crafted to complement architecture, planting, and daily movement.

The vision was clear, the lighting needed to be subtle and elegant, guiding guests along a long, curved driveway, creating a warm sense of arrival, and highlighting seasonal gardens with architectural elements. The system also had to be low-maintenance and designed to withstand the challenges of a coastal environment. Salt air, shifting plantings, and the rhythms of summer living all informed the approach.

Design Vision

This was a full-property landscape lighting project. The design and installation included the driveway and entry sequence, garden beds, pathways, architectural stairs, a fire pit area, and transitional zones between outdoor features. During the initial walkthrough HLL lead designer Vanessa Kordich approached the site through the eyes of someone arriving home. She focused on arrival and movement, anchoring the design around circulation and view corridors that would support both function and feeling. Each curve of the driveway, every pause in the planting rhythm, and the subtle architectural cues from the home itself were noted and layered into the design. The design evolved through multiple site visits, feedback rounds, and layout refinements.

The central challenge of this project was to design a system that elevated the property’s functionality, safety and nighttime atmosphere without feeling over-lit. The goal was simple on paper, make the property feel welcoming when arriving home in the evenings and highlight the beauty of the multiple garden beds. In practice, it meant balancing visibility with restraint, aesthetics with durability, and performance with the fluid nature of the seasonal plantings. Each light had to contribute to the overall mood while serving a purpose—whether to guide a vehicle, mark a walkway, or highlight planting structure. All fixtures also needed to perform under the pressure of coastal weather conditions. Coastal Source light fixtures were selected for the brand’s streamlined form, corrosion resistance, and longevity in salt air.

The design had to be precise, coastal-ready, and above all, adaptable. This required detailed site analysis, iterative design revisions, real-time problem-solving during design and install, along with ongoing collaborations with the client and the HLL team.

Key Moments in Design

Driveway & Entry Experience

The long, curved driveway became a central gesture in the project. It was flanked by crepe myrtles, layered planting beds, and soft transitions of light that guided the eye and invited guests in. A combination of uplighting and downlighting gave rhythm to the approach without calling attention to the fixtures themselves.

The property’s curved driveway is lined with crepe myrtles, ground cover, and a mix of grasses and evergreens. This entry became a central focus. The design layered downlights and uplights to subtly highlight planting structure and lead the eye toward the house. By using a variety of beam spreads and mounting styles, she created a dynamic but quiet rhythm that supported both safety and softness.

Planting Precision

One of the more unique aspects of the project was the installation approach. Path lights were placed exactly two feet from the edge of each planting bed—an unusual request that came from the client’s experience with past fixture damage. Rather than question it, the team embraced the precision. This spacing guided not just placement but wiring, transformer locations, and long-term layout documentation.

Fire Pit & Backyard Zones

In the rear garden, the fire pit zone offered an opportunity for ambiance over intensity. Coastal Source tiki torches provided an elegant, low-profile light source while doubling as mosquito control. The goal was to let the fire take center stage while giving guests just enough glow to navigate the space with ease.

Architectural Stair Lighting

A set of concrete stairs connecting the main home to an adjacent property required a refined solution. Originally, the plan called for small nose lights mounted to custom posts. Once tested in the field, the scale felt out of place. The design team reimagined the concept using a combination of downlights and discreet path lights, which washed the stairs in a soft glow without pulling visual focus. The change was made during install, a testament to the team’s adaptability and trust in field testing.

Challenges and Adaptation

The property’s proximity to the ocean meant material selection had to be flawless. All fixtures and components needed to resist corrosion, fading, and salt buildup. Coastal Source products were chosen for their durability and clean design. The driveway, already finished with a gravel-over-concrete surface, posed a challenge for running wire. Trenching had to be carefully executed to avoid damaging the surface while still delivering reliable power routing.

Coordination across trades was essential. The electrician, builder, and lighting team communicated frequently during key milestones to align fixture counts, transformer placement, and voltage requirements. Real-time decisions were made to shift fixture types or move wiring to accommodate landscaping that was still evolving.

Refining in Real Time

The client was highly engaged throughout the process. As a builder himself, he brought a level of insight that helped move the project forward efficiently. His preferences helped prioritize lighting where it mattered most—around key planting features, circulation paths, and transitional spaces. Equally important was his desire for a detailed as-built plan. The lighting system was designed to flex with future planting updates, and the documentation now allows new elements to be added without disrupting the integrity of the system.

“This was one of those projects where the site teaches you something,” said Vanessa Kordich. “I learned the value of slowing down, testing ideas in the field, and really listening to the way a space is used. In the end, that made the design stronger—and more personal.”

A Property Transformed

Today, the property feels as complete at night as it does during the day. Light flows from one space to the next, revealing texture, creating depth, and inviting guests to linger a little longer. There’s no visual clutter, no dramatic contrast—just a calm, cohesive system that enhances the way the home is lived in and loved. From the first turn into the driveway to the final step across a softly lit stair, the experience is seamless. The transformation isn’t loud, but it’s unmistakable.