spotlight on design excellence

Featured in the May/June 2025 issue of Home & Design Magazine, this Alexandria estate blends modern comfort with country club elegance—from poolside lounging to a private pickleball court.

Outdoor Illumination was proud to collaborate on this exceptional property, working closely with the project’s landscape architect, Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, of Richardson & Associates, and landscape contractor, McHale Landscape Design, to design a lighting plan that enhances both beauty and function after sunset. 

Led by Bill Winston, our team tailored the illumination to complement the architecture and create a truly inviting nighttime retreat. complement the architecture and amplify the evening ambiance, creating a truly inviting nighttime for this stunning retreat.

Project Highlights:

• Landscape Architecture: Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture, Washington, DC. 
• Landscape Contractor: McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
• Architecture: GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. 
• Contractor: Thorsen Construction, Alexandria, Virginia. 
• Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.
• Lighting Design: Bill Winston, Outdoor Illumination.

See more in Home & Design Magazine – May/June 2025

smart irrigation, expert care

Take Control of Your Irrigation with a Hydrawise controller, we can remotely monitor your irrigation system for a healthier, more efficient lawn and garden—an affordable way to protect your property.

Since 2014, Outdoor Irrigation Management has serviced the region’s finest gardens, delivering precision, plant-focused care, and exceptional service—just as we do with our lighting.

Effortless Water Management, Exceptional Results

Now with our most experienced irrigation team ever, we offer bundled services to enhance your outdoor space seamlessly.

embrace nature's shifts

The NYT’s piece on Japan’s 72 micro-seasons highlights the beauty of noticing small transformations in the landscape—"like the opening of a blossom or the first song of a returning bird.”  

Much like the Japanese concept of kisetsukan, our gardens and lighting reflect those subtle shifts:

• Spring Awakening: Soft uplighting reveals fresh spring blooms—crocus, hellebores, and budding foliage—set aglow under gentle light.
• Summer Fullness: Path lighting dances across mature greenery, celebrating the lushness of peak season.
• Autumn Warmth: Warm amber tones highlight fading leaves and seasonal textures.
• Winter Structures: Lighting emphasizes the architectural beauty in bare branches and garden forms.

light up your summer retreat

As you plan your escape to the shore, the mountains, or any cherished summer getaway, we’d love to help you illuminate your second home – in virtually any location!

in case you missed it

Featured in The New York Times (Web Exclusive), this extraordinary D.C. residence has captured national attention for its scale and elegance. Outdoor Illumination’s own Matt Taylor led the lighting design, enhancing the property’s architecture with understated brilliance.

Explore the project via Campion Hruby Landscape

Photography by Allen-Russ Photography & Hoachlander-Davis Photography

rave reviews

“Since we bought our house in 2020 we have hired a myriad of companies to perform different jobs. What we have come to know from these experiences is that you measure a company by how they respond to issues. 

Your company’s quick reply to my email and willingness to come out and see and resolve the issue goes a long way. What seals the deal for us is your pleasantness and that you do it all with a smile. Your response to a small issue -- one light bulb being out -- has made us customers of yours for life.”

~ Client since 2020, Rockville, MD