We are thrilled to congratulate Graef Lighting Design on receiving a prize in the Landscape Lighting Design category at the prestigious 2025 LIT Lighting Design Awards. Their project, entitled “Weekend Escape”, located in North Salem, New York, stands out as a masterful blend of artistry, technical precision, and ecological sensitivity.

Led by Chris Graef, the team crafted an outdoor ambiance that transforms a retreat‐style estate into an elevated, serene haven. Using recessed fixtures that highlight elegant wrought-iron and stone gate details, subtle tree-mounted “moon-lighting” to evoke natural moonlight, and uplighting to sculpt the home’s brick architecture and courtyard, the design creates both functional pathways and poetic visuals across the property.

Sustainability and sensitivity to the natural site were central to the concept: warm-tone LEDs reduce energy and maintenance, optics are selected to control glare and minimize light spill (protecting the stars and local wildlife), and smart controls enable dimming and scene adjustment for both ambiance and conservation.

Graef Lighting’s recognition speaks to their commitment to elevating outdoor lighting from mere utility to immersive experience—highlighting architectural features, embedding lighting into landscape context, and blending technology with nature. This award validates their reputation for “meticulously curated artistic lighting designs for landscapes, architecture, and outdoor living spaces.”