Showcasing the Ornate Architectural Details of the Carroll-Crawford House in the Garden District of New Orleans

Spotlighting Historic Grandeur

New Orleans’ historic Garden District is known for its oak-lined streets, grand gardens and stately mansions. Built in 1869, the Carroll-Crawford House stands as one of the neighborhood’s architectural jewels. The two-story residence features a cast-iron gallery that spans the façade, accented by ornate ironwork, arched openings and slender paired columns that reflect the elegance of the post-Civil War era.

While the home was striking by day, it remained largely unlit at night. For the owners who travel frequently, this created a security concern. They wanted the residence to appear occupied after dark, while also revealing the beauty of the home, its historic carriage house and the surrounding landscape.

Achieving both goals required navigating a complex set of challenges. As a designated historic property, the project was bound by strict material and design guidelines, requiring all elements to align with the home’s original period.

The architecture itself added another layer of difficulty. Intricate ironwork and decorative details made consistent lighting and shadowing difficult, while the carriage house’s different exterior finish complicated efforts to visually unify the structures. All of this was further compounded by the property’s location in New Orleans’ Hurricane Alley, where durability is essential.

Pinnacle Signature Lighting partnered with renowned landscape architecture firm Fransen Mills to develop a solution. The team implemented layered, dimmable lighting that balanced security with artistry, creating a warm, lived-in glow while preserving the home’s historic character. Period-appropriate fixtures, paired with discreet modern technology, ensured compliance without sacrificing performance.

A unified lighting approach visually connected the main residence, carriage house and gardens, while precision lighting and custom dimming highlighted the home’s ornate ironwork and architectural details. Storm-resilient fixtures and expert installation proved their value when the system withstood a major hurricane the following year without requiring repairs.

Despite the scope of the project, installation was completed in less than two and a half weeks thanks to extensive upfront planning. The result is a sophisticated lighting design that delivers security, durability and a memorable “wow” after dark.

A historic building with ornate iron railings, large windows, and exterior lighting, seen at night with greenery along the walkway.
A large, ornate, two-story white mansion with balconies, decorative railings, and columns, illuminated at night, surrounded by trees and a manicured lawn.
Gated entrance to a large, well-lit house with manicured gardens, mature trees, and a backyard pool at night.
Several palm trees and dense bushes are illuminated at night, with large tree branches overhead and a dark sky in the background.
A dark stone pathway winds through dense, leafy plants in a garden at night, illuminated by subtle outdoor lighting.
An olive tree with a thick trunk and spreading branches is planted in a small soil patch, surrounded by tiled flooring and white paneled walls, with evening lighting.
A historic brick and stucco building at night with arched garage doors, a balcony, and spotlights illuminating the façade.
A swimming pool at night is illuminated by underwater lights, with surrounding palm trees and foliage highlighted by landscape lighting.
Wide stone steps lead up to the front entrance of a large, well-lit house with columns, ornate railings, and double doors at night.
A brick house with arched windows and doors is illuminated by a streetlamp at night, surrounded by lush greenery and shaded by large tree branches.
A large historic house with ironwork balconies and glowing windows is seen at night, partially obscured by trees and a fence in the foreground.
A two-story house with a mix of exposed brick and stucco exterior, arched garage doors, and nighttime landscape lighting highlighting trees and facade.

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