When Mark Del Prato of Young’s Landscape Management met with a former client to discuss the landscape at his new Moorestown, N.J., home, both of them knew the landscape and lighting would end up spectacular, as it had at his previous residence. What they didn’t know was that the multi-phase project would end up comprising over 300 Coastal Source lighting fixtures along with the owner’s first professional outdoor audio system.
“Professional lighting is core to our landscaping capabilities and offerings, and this project shows exactly why,” Del Prato says. “From the patio and pool to the driveway and walking paths, every step of the property delivers new dramatic visages of the home and surrounding flora, exuding both luxury and attention to detail. We deployed a variety of fixtures to create captivating experiences and artistic ambiances using light and shadow, based on prior experiences with the homeowner. When it came to audio, however, they didn’t know what to expect.”
The homeowner had worked with Young’s Landscape on several other properties and loved the quality and performance of the Coastal Source lighting, but that was where the outdoor technology ended. For this new home, Del Prato upped the ante and brought something special to show the owner the power of professional outdoor audio. With a visit from one of Coastal Source’s mobile demo vans, equipped with all manner of outdoor speakers, amps, subwoofers and audio solutions, Del Prato turned the yard into an amazing audio showroom.
“We build outdoor spaces to be used and enjoyed to maximum effect, and that means considering a high-quality audio system that sounds great in every area and is always ready to play,” Del Prato says. “Rather than suggesting a lo-fi Bluetooth speaker or even a big-box brand, the demo van allowed us to show up, quickly set up a real demo system in the client’s actual yard, and envelop them in sound to incredible effect. They quickly saw, or rather heard, the power and value of the Coastal Source audio systems we install and they were sold.”
Young’s Landscape has long considered lighting to be a major segment of their offerings and capabilities and has only branched into audio projects more recently. According to the team, that’s partly because the industry has a history of poorly performing products that required frequent maintenance, along with traditional client focus on visual appeal. The wave of wireless technologies and culture of taking music with us everywhere has changed that, with homeowners now more interested in outdoor audio, and manufacturers like Coastal Source designing professional-quality outdoor speakers that defy the elements and look as good as they sound.
“After we demoed the audio system, the homeowner went on vacation while we wrapped up the landscape and technology systems,” Del Prato explains. “When he got back, I got a text from him saying ‘Man, this audio system is probably one of the best things I ever spent money on.’ We love that kind of reaction from clients, because it means we succeeded in what we set out to do: transform their yard into a unique oasis that exceeds expectations.”
The team says audio is becoming a larger part of their business as time goes on, with the quality of the technology and ease of installation playing a major role. While audio may seem separate from landscaping, the ability to install fully outdoor systems that require no indoor components or wiring helps simplify and expedite set up. Essentially, a landscape professional who can install lighting doesn’t need a background in technology integration to learn to install Coastal Source audio systems.
By the time it was complete, the home was outfitted with more than 300 Coastal Source outdoor light fixtures, including uplights highlighting specimen trees, downlights creating soft moonlight effects, wash lights silhouetting shadows of unique plantings, and path lights creating direction to navigate the space. Plus, the home has an audio system consisting of six Ellipse bollard speakers and one 14.0 Bollard Subwoofer G3 powered by two Coastal Source amplifiers and Sonos ports for ultimate convenience. If nothing else, this shows how intricate, targeted lighting solutions can deliver precise desired effects, while also revealing that amazing outdoor audio experiences can be achieved with minimal equipment.
Young’s Landscape considers itself a higher-end landscape firm that takes the time to learn what a homeowner wants to get out of their yard, not simply what types of stones or plants they like. As the pictures of this landscape and others they’ve completed make clear, their design skills warrant the praise and admiration customers often provide.
Del Prato also notes that the project could have been more challenging if they had used other brands or solutions, due to changes between installation phases. After the initial system was installed, the homeowner decided to add even more light fixtures to the yard, requiring more work from Young’s Landscape.
“That’s another reason we love these particular lighting fixtures — the whole solution is designed to be adjustable and re-configurable, so we didn’t have to replace fixtures or cut out wires,” he says. “The wiring can be reused and moved easily, and it’s specifically designed to be tough enough to take the handling and outdoor conditions. Heck, we’ve even had some clients take their fixtures and systems with them when they move to a new home, because they trust them so much to keep working long into the future.”
As homeowners continue to reevaluate and reimagine their outdoor spaces, experts like Del Prato are seeing new opportunities to expand into highly profitable extra services with the confidence and resilience of a new wave of high-quality technologies that extend the comfort of the indoors to the backyard.
For more information, visit www.coastalsource.com.
