How Lighting Can Change the Architecture of Your Home–Edmonton Architectural Lighting Contractor
Okay. So, today I’m here with Mr. Andrew from Natural Light Edmonton, and I’ve actually become a customer of Natural Light Edmonton. And today we’re going to be talking about that customer experience and how things went with our install. So, you know, Andrew, first things first, thank you so much for installing gemstone lights on our house.
Yeah, my pleasure.
Yeah, it was something that my wife had wanted even before we purchased the house. She was like, “I got to have those lights on whatever house we get. Doesn’t matter. I want to get that because she loves lights, right? She loves the lights at Christmas time.” And I despise putting up Christmas lights because they’re awful and horrible, as do most people in Edmonton.
Yeah, that’s right. So, I guess we’ll rewind back to, you know, you know, when you started doing gemstone lights. Like, what drew you to want to become an installer with gemstone?
Yeah, I would I would say a big part of it is, like, we moved here a number of years ago, and the guy who was actually working for at the time he kind of did gemstone as a side not a hustle, whatever, in winter, because he did sun rooms during the summer and sun rooms do not sell well or install well in the winter. And that’s when I got introduced to the product. I’d really never heard of it before that, and just seeing the quality of the product and the change that it made to homes. Yeah, honestly, I didn’t even see it as much then as now that I’ve been doing it for a while. Like, I saw the opportunity, hence why I actually did buy the company and started running it on my own. But yeah, since kind of diving into it, the yeah, just the quality, the change, just how happy customers are with the product. Like, I still sometimes just amazes me, like, how excited people can get about the lights. But I really do see it because it completely changes their home, and it adds, you know, from accenting their house in a completely new way at night to even just the sense of security. Yeah, just so many things about it. Yeah, it’s just a great product. It really is.
Your Gemstone Lights Will Turn On and Off Automatically
I love it. And you know, like, when our house is unique, it’s different. And we’ll put some shots in here just so people can see what our house looks like. And I love the way that, you know, the lights accent the house. And then my wife – actually, it was just a couple days ago, I was outside in the garden, and she was turning off the outside light, and she said, “Why won’t this light turn off?” And she forgot that we had gemstone lights on, and it was at dusk, and, you know, it just really lit up outside. So, really, the whole, like, exterior of our house is well lit up.
Yeah.
You know, you can see everything. Like, it lights it up a lot more than I thought it actually would.
Yeah.
So you know, we love that aspect of it. So, about our house, you know, when you started doing it, like, let’s go from the beginning to, to the end process. So, the beginning of the process, you come out and you do a quote. What is involved in actually, you know, doing a quote properly for gemstone lights?
Illuminate What You Want To See, Hide What You Don’t
Yeah, I would say, I mean, yeah, there’s multiple aspects to it, like whether a customer wants a quote for the front, the sides, you know, depending on the lot too. Like, if a house is really, really close to the neighbor, then oftentimes it’s not really the sides aren’t usually much of a thing because, yeah, people often don’t walk between the houses. And then, yeah, it’s just you’re not the houses the lights really accent the parts that you put them on. I always tell people that, like, when they’re, like, questioning what they want done and I’m going through that process, I’m like, well, this is the generality of it. Like, 90% of the time you’re using it as an accent light, the nice warm white, which gemstone is the only provider of actual warm true warm white. It’ll accent whatever you put it on, and whatever you don’t will essentially disappear. And so sometimes, when we’re going through the process, like, there’ll be a soffited area maybe where, like, they have their, like, you know, chimney, so there’s a little jut out and there’s a set there. But I’m like, well, do do you want it there? Do you actually want to accent this little jut out in your house, or would you rather at night kind of make it look like it disappears? And so for a lot of people, they’re like, oh, yeah, actually I, you know, if there’s a spot in my house I don’t like, it’s kind of that, right. So, like, let’s make that disappear and and draw people to the spots, like, yeah, the dormers, things like that. And it really does that. It really draws to the unique style of a dormer. And even just the, you know, dorm will have different shapes, whether they just are straight triangle or they go back like your place has a couple feet back too. It’s amazing how that really just adds shape.
Yeah.
That even in the day you might not even notice, but then at night it’s like that’s literally what comes out of the house is the shape. So, yeah, and part of the quoting process, I often will show pictures of that and then just explain to people kind of what their house is going to look like in the evening because, yeah, it is it’s kind of a whole new whole new world of your house in the evening and what it looks like, right?
So, yeah.
Yeah, that’s a big part of it.
Yeah.
And you know, with the boxes—so our house has a couple of boxes on it.
Boxes.
Yeah. And, you know, I don’t even really pay attention to them.
Yeah.
Really? Because we put them in, you know, obscure places.
Yeah.
So that they’re not really seen. But you know, have you had any, like, big challenges of trying to hide the box? Because they’re decent size. They’re probably like a a foot by, you know, 8 in by—
They’re pretty big.
You Won’t See The Cords
Yeah. Yeah. They’re like a 5 in deep. Yeah. I think like 8 in wide by a foot tall. They kind of look like your average, kind of like, usually there’s a spot in people’s houses where there’s like a couple little, like, electrical small boxes and stuff. So sometimes I’ll hide them in with that if it makes sense. Otherwise yeah, the goal really is to, like, hide it around a corner. Sometimes I’ll run the power cord if the power is, like, in a set plug. That set plug is often in not a great spot to put a power box. Like, it’ll be like right by the front door. And so I’m like, “Yeah, I’m not going to like unless customers like I actually want it there.” I’m like, “Usually I can convince them not to because I’m like, there’s no reason to put it right where you walk into your front door.” And we’ll usually run it around and put it on the back side of a set that’s not seen, or up in a crevice.
Yeah.
I mean, there’s I have yet to—Yeah. I mean, to be honest, like I said about, I’ve yet to have a customer actually tell me they want it right beside their front door. But yeah, it’s I’d say the biggest challenge, I mean, and I don’t even know if I’d really call it a challenge, is, like, usually if I can’t find a spot outside, I’ll just put it in a garage, and we’ll just plug into a garage plug outlet. And then I’ll put it up in a corner so it’s not blocking, and even I’ll often take power from the garage door opener so it’s not taking away power that they’d use in the garage. And then I’ll feed the cord through the set, and you just—I mean, from the outside you wouldn’t even know where it starts or stops because you never see the beginning or end.
So, yeah, and that’s kind of the point, right? And you know, for me, like, we have a different color of you know, soffit and fascia, and some of it’s got some sunspots and some aging and and whatever. But, you know, I was really impressed with the way that the product actually color matched to what we have. So, I mean, you know, a lot of people are thinking, well, if I get these lights on my house, how are you going to be able to color match to my set, right? And, like, seemed to me like it worked pretty damn good.
Hundreds of Colors To Choose From
Yeah, we have a—Gemstone offers a pretty extensive I guess, color swatch. Like, yeah, there are literally hundreds of colors. Like, there’s not just white. There’s, like, six different whites. There’s like—or more probably, actually, white. There’s quite a few. Yeah, I have yet to not find something that I can match. Like, yeah, people are usually super impressed with how well it just blends into. And even with two, that’s another thing, too, is sometimes houses will have a different color fascia than set it. And so then it’s a matter of, like, which one do you match? And yeah, I usually walk people through. I typically match with the fascia because it’s what you’re looking at at the house. And it really just makes your fascia just look like it’s actually a more what’s the right word? Not heavy duty, but more, in a way, almost more architectural because there’s some more, like, kind of curve to it. So it actually track actually—yeah, it almost makes it look like an architectural fascia. I mean, when you walk up closer you realize it’s lighting, but when during the day you don’t really notice the lighting, and so it really works really well that way.
So, yeah.
Yeah. So, we are really excited for, you know, the upcoming, you know, fall and Christmas season because, like, of course, I think everybody who gets Gemstone, they play with the app. And I had my kids playing with the app. They were going to town on it, trying the different features, don’t going through all the Disney features on there. And I was, like, trying to create my own specific ones, too, just to see what it looks like.
Gemstone Lights Come With a Custom App
You know, tell us a little bit about the app and, you know, and really a comparison. Like, the reason we wanted to go with gemstone, not only because, like, you’re you’re my client, right, and, you know, I want to support your business but your company but also the passion that you have for gemstone and the trust you have for the company. I know all about their warranty. I know about, you know, the robustness and just that flexibility and versatility of the app. So, tell us about your experiences with the gemstone app versus other companies.
Yeah, and I mean, even to start with that, actually, when you’re talking about the excitement about the product before I actually go into the app—and it’s part I would say it’s part to do with this. So, like, I was actually just recently at a gemstone conference, and as excited as I am about, like, the product and and my clients are about when they get the product, I got to meet the owner, the CFO, and all these guys, and they are actually way more excited. Like, he actually made the lights. That was something I actually learned. Like, he actually physically made the lights to start with. It was not something he, like, bought or copied from someone else. It’s like that’s why they are, like, a very specific RGBW light with the warm white. He built that all in himself. Like, he has himself invested in the product and is just, like, super into it. So, anyway, that—
And on that note, too, with the app, they are one of the few companies, if not the only lighting company, that actually has an in-house app designer builder. So, they do not third party it. They do not hire another company to develop or fix or build their app. They literally take feedback from us and from our clients and then build upon that in-house in Calgary. That’s where the whole thing is developed. And yeah, so that app, it is second to none. Like, I can with 100% confidence be like there is no lighting app that is better than the gemstone app, and it is just always getting better. Like, they are const—they are never stopping the development of the app, like, adding more features, taking more feedback. It is not just something where they’re like, well, you know, we’re better than the competition, so we leave it there. Like, no, they’ve got this guy on full time. They never planned—like, he is just going to constantly be, like, adding more to it and coming up with more ideas, and that is really what has set them apart. Like, I could go through lots of different features, but it is really cool, like, yeah, what they do with it.
Yeah. And I think that’s the fun thing about lighting in general. Like, really good lighting helps you. It changes your mood.
It can bring excitement.
Yeah.
Architectural Lights Gives Your Home Security
Also like you said, it provides security around the house. And, like, just think—I’m thinking about, you know, the times when we’ve been to Disney, right? And, you know, sure the place is lit up, but at night is when it really comes alive. At night everything just looks different. It feels like you’re in a different park.
Yeah.
Right. And then they have light shows that during certain times of the year they have, like, different, you know, animated light shows with movies showing on buildings and all different types of stuff going on. But it changes how you think. It changes how you feel. It gives you joy and excitement. And I think, you know, everyone should be able to do that with their house. Like, we’re super stoked about the house. We did the front and the side and next year we’ll probably do the back and the other side just to finish it off. But for what we’ve got done now, it’s like, you know, we’re super happy with how it looks, how it turned out, and yeah, we can’t wait to do more and to help you with the next. And then also let’s talk a little bit about Gemstone’s architectural series, like the landscape lighting stuff.
Yeah.
Because, you know, I’m going to need to get my deck replaced at some point. I think the deck is probably 30 years old, because I got my original plans and the deck is on the original plans. And I think it’s time for a redo.
Same. Yeah, for sure.
So, time for a redo. So, when we get the deck done, we can put lighting in the deck. We can highlight other accent features. So, maybe talk a little bit about that.
Yeah, that’s actually, I think, something that’s really going to grow more and more as well. Like, I think a lot of people aren’t even aware of lighting on a deck. Like, I mean, I shouldn’t say they’re not—like, people have seen it—but I think they often think it’s like this, you know, you know, it’s for people like the multi multi-millionaire who’s got the, like, you know, the Disneyland mansion, right? But really, it’s actually not that crazy. Like, you can just get lighting put in, and it’s amazing. Like, it’ll completely change the look of a deck. Like, again I’ve just been amazed when I’ve done that how it literally turns your deck into—from a deck to, like, a living space.
Well, a living space and, like, an architectural feature where, like, a lot of decks they just—even some of the simplest decks—like, I’ve put lighting in a simple, basically rectanglish deck with a few steps. You know, you’d walk back there and you wouldn’t think much of it, but then in the evening you’re like, “Oh, this is like an amazing deck.” And it’s like, you know, because you just put some lights just because some—
Yeah. And then it’s also it’s lit up. Like, it’s just like it just makes this thing look like a million bucks, and it’s like—
Yeah. You can ceilings. Yeah. You can light the railings. You can light the risers on this thing.
The steps and stuff. You know, we’ve all tripped on deck steps. Like, that happens on a regular basis, like, especially in Edmonton where you get all the frost heave and the sink and movement on a deck. Yeah, it really does add such an atmosphere to a backyard and to a sitting space and an outdoor living space that nothing else really can do. Like, you can add tons of little things to your outdoor space, but if it’s not lit up it’s—
Yeah. I mean, it can still look really good, but it’ll really accent that thing and make it look I’d say even 10 times what it is.
Yeah. Well, I mean, let’s face it, most houses will have maybe some soffit recessed lighting and maybe a coach light beside the door, right?
Coach light beside the door is coat.
Yeah.
All the other lights are extra, right? But really, your your backyard disappears at night.
Yeah.
There’s no light back there.
No.
Unless there’s moonlight. You don’t see your shrubs. You don’t see your grass. You don’t see the other, you know, features of your yard. They’re just non-existent in the dark.
Yeah.
But, you know, add some lighting and it just everything pops.
Yeah. Well, I’ve even—I’ve I’ve heard testimonials of people who, like, once they got lighting done in their backyard in the evenings, even if they can’t sit or don’t want to sit outside in their backyard, like, oftentimes there’s, you know, times of the year, especially where we are in Edmonton, where it’s like, I like how it looks out there, but I don’t know that I’m going to go sit out there. But they actually, like, legit—they sit by the window and just do whatever they’re doing, whether it’s read a book or whatever. Even if they’re scrolling through their phone, they’re like, I pull up a chair or I’ve set up a little seating area by the back window, because I just, like, there’s an atmosphere that I feel just looking, kind of even just peripherally, out that window and seeing the light and just seeing the beauty of my own backyard. And they’re like, “Yeah, it literally just changed my evenings.” Like, it’s like I’ve got this wonderful place to sit, and they’re not even sitting in it. They’re sitting inside looking out at it. And I’m like, “Yeah, like, how much more when you are able during certain months of the year to actually go out there.”
Yeah, like you said, it really does change your attitude. Like, it makes you feel a certain way. And yeah, that’s a huge part. And it’s just the beginning—like, you know, getting into walkway lighting, pathway lighting, up lighting of your trees and shrubs, down lighting, like, all the different, you know, types. They’re on your website.
Yeah.
You know, people peruse that, like, because lighting really excites me. I think everything looks much better and more defined and, I don’t know, just gives you the good feels at night when it’s well lit and accents the shrubs, the architecture, the walkways, the deck, all that stuff. So, cool. I’m looking forward to getting more work done by natural light.
I’m looking forward to doing it. It’ll be fun.
Cool. Well, thanks so much, man. Appreciate it. And yeah, anything else you wanted to talk about? Any features of our place or just gemstone lights in general? You just got back from a conference. Anything new coming up?
Yeah, I mean, they’re definitely looking they’re always looking to expand their product line. But they also want to do it in a way that’s—Yeah, all their stuff is just super high quality. Like, there was some jokes made a while ago about some of their the current spotlighting they have. It’s like a super high quality spotlight, but it’s it is just a big spotlight that can, like, do lots of different colors and features. But they’re like, “Yeah, it’s not really the kind of thing where you’d like, you know, it’s not a pathway light or anything like that.” So, they’re wanting to develop a high quality, but, yeah, smaller product, more individual products that can do, like, pathway up and down lighting. So, for them, it really is a matter of just making sure that everything’s done at the highest of quality because they’d rather really not make it, or at least take a lot longer to make it, than to just throw products out there and be like, “Let’s see what sticks to the wall.” Like, it’s it is about taking feedback, getting the right product, and and custom making their product. Like, that is a big thing. They don’t, again, even with whatever lighting they’re going to make—it’s not an outsourced lighting. It’s an in-house developed, designed product that is unique to Gemstone. So, even if it looked—even if the product looked similar to something else, like, because obviously, like, they might—just the outside of the light, the the light cover, might look just like something else you’d buy from the store, but their desire is like, well, we’re not trying to compete with the guy who’s got just the regular light. We want it to be able to do all that our lights do while in the the sleeve or the case of a of a similar competitor’s type product, but with a with a lighting that is just, you know, far exceeds. So, yeah, they are—they’re planning to come up with a lot more. They know the landscape industry is something that they want to get more into. And I’m looking forward to that because, like you said, there is, you know, house lighting is amazing, and landscape lighting too—it’s a whole another ball game. It’s a whole another type of atmosphere that you create, and I’m excited for what they’re going to do and what they’re going to create. So, yeah, coming soon.
Awesome. Cool.
Relatively soon. They even—that they were like, “Well, we’re not going to give dates because everything always takes longer to make a good product than you think,” right? So, they put their own goals, personally, so that way they try to hit them, and then beyond that it’s like they let us know.
So—
Perfect. Great. Well, I’m excited for that, and you should be too. Natural Light Edmonton.
Yeah.
In my opinion, the best gemstone installer in the Edmonton region. So give them a call, go to the website, fill out the form, and Andrew himself will come out and give you guys a quote on a gemstone install. You deserve good lighting. See you on the next video.
See you.