The Warmth Between the Columns
Indirect landscape lighting on pergola columns and Moroccan pendants in Beverly Hills poolside dining space.
Lighting by Gannon Electric Light
Landscape design by Rob Steiner Gardens
The Welcome
A pergola is structure. A garden is beauty. But when you bring them together with light, indirect and intentional, the result is something else entirely: an atmosphere.
This Beverly Hills evening was made for gathering, and the lighting was made to hold it.
Designing with Indirect Light and Natural Texture
We didn’t just light this pergola. We brushed it with warmth. Fixtures were carefully hidden to rake each column from below, creating soft vertical bands that gave the posts shape and shadow. That same light bounced upward, striking the vines overhead and creating a canopy of light. An open-air ceiling that holds the entire dining area in a gentle embrace.
And because comfort is part of ambiance, we engineered slim heaters directly into the structure, seamlessly integrated and controlled from a phone app. Keeping your guests warm and your little hot-house orchids happier than ever.
A Personal Touch That Glows
The trio of brass Moroccan pendants suspended above the dining table are more than just light fixtures, they’re part of the story. Chosen by the homeowner, they add a layer of intimacy and artistry to the space. Each one reflects not only light, but taste, memory, and personal meaning.
Their delicate patterns shimmer like firelight, dancing across the table without overpowering it. Rather than compete with the structured column uplighting or the subtle garden accents beyond, these pendants complete the scene. They bring softness to symmetry. Ornament to order. Heart to architecture.
This is what we love most: when a client’s vision becomes part of the design. When lighting doesn’t just illuminate a space, but reflects the soul of the people who live there.
A Garden That Invites You In
Beyond the table, the garden continues. In the distance, a private cove is softly lit. It invites guests to steal away for a private conversation. The pathway isn't a demand, it’s a suggestion, a nudge from the lighting to wander.
We also down-lit the planter beds beside the pergola, extending the visible space of the dining area and adding a sense of depth without ever distracting from the table. A communion of nature, food, and fellowship.
It’s subtle. It’s specific. It’s sculptural hospitality in light.
Reflecting on our Work
And below it all, the pool reflects every gesture in quiet agreement. The columns, the pendants, the movement of leaves above, duplicated in perfect stillness. Like a memory held gently in water. A mirror not just of design, but of the mood itself.
As the sun disappears and conversation rises, lighting becomes more than a visual aid. It becomes the curator of experience. Shaping mood. Encouraging connection. Making each night feel just a little more eternal.
This is what we design for. The quiet in-between moments. The warmth between the columns.