When you walk into Lightology your eye tends to go up - looking at the menagerie of unique fixtures suspended from the ceiling, and a trip all the way up to the fourth floor reveals a haven with a spectacular view and light show all its own.
A rooftop garden with cascading flowers and shrubs showcases the variety of lighting options the world's largest contemporary lighting showroom and lighting design business has available to set off landscaping and enhance outdoor features. Some are small and hidden in the plantings and others stand out as their own work of art.
Lightology's Rooftop at Night
Outdoor gallery
"One of the things that makes us unique is the garden that shows off the different types of lighting you can use outdoors," says Lori Bohner, an American Lighting Association certified lighting specialist at Lightology. 215 W. Chicago Ave.
From the patio pavers under your feet that have color changing Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to the outdoor track lighting overhead on the trellis, you immediately begin to let your mind wander and think differently about the possibilities for exterior lighting.
Several walls show off unique options for ceiling flushes and wall sconces. Around the corner is a garden of bollards to create different looks. While Lightology specializes in contemporary styles there are examples of traditional. nautical and rustic designs as well.
"Lightology carries unique pieces," Bohner says. "You can get fixtures that are special and customized without gouging the pocket book."
Lighting the way
Step up to the next tier of the deck and tiny lights embedded in the steps light your way - like a nightlight in a hallway.
Some lights spotlight a particular flower - others spread light across the landscape. Bohner explains that light can be used to illuminate a task. Highlight the beauty in the surroundings or even provide security around a home. The garden is a living example of how light can transform a space.
Using layers of light is key to any lighting project, but particularly to the
outdoors, Bohner says.
From shrubbery to rocks to flowers they all should be lit differently.
Lighting can bring depth and character to a yard as well as create mood and illusion, Bohner says.
If someone wants their yard to feel bigger, placing lighting elements in far corners helps bring the eye back to the brightest spot.
"It gives something in the distance for the eye to gravitate toward and expand
the space," she says.
In addition to being a setting to education and enlighten customers. The rooftop garden adds some fun to summer lighting seminars - complete with food and beverages - and also serves as a venue for charity events.
Change your world
Like what you see, but not sure how it would work in your yard? The specialists at Lightology will make house calls to get the lay of the land and make suggestions for lighting options. Or, bring in a landscape plan to guide the design.
From an industrial light that clamps onto the side of a grill for night cooking to a single light near the entryway of your home - lighting can change the way you view the world.
Bohner says she has had customers return to tell her they feel lighting has changed their life.
"It sounds very dramatic, however, when you walk into a space that's inviting it can actually change your perspective and mood," she says.
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When you walk into Lightology your eye tends to go up - looking at the menagerie of unique fixtures suspended from the ceiling, and a trip all the way up to the fourth floor reveals a haven with a spectacular view and light show all its own.
