The decision by Rivers Rest owners Charles Gonzalez, Kevin Beauchesne, and Darrell Lakey to integrate light fixtures and speakers within the natural landscape was controversial to say the least.

Detractors suggested that if the system was not designed and installed properly, the technology could have taken away from the scenery, making the property look and sound more like a theme park than the restful retreat. To ensure this would not happen it was important that Gonzalez align with a reputable manufacturer and integrator to achieve the right ambiance for his dream endeavor.

“It gets extremely dark here when the sun goes down,” says Gonzalez. “The stars sure look bright, but for our guests, it would have been near impossible to walk the grounds to find their cabin,” he explains.

Path Lights and Downlights Provide Soft, Intentional Illumination at River’s Rest

There are many choices when it comes to landscape lighting and outdoor speakers, admits the ownership of Rivers Rest. Gonzalez also had his pick of area landscapers. But rather than leave the outcome to chance, he went with what he knew: Coastal Source and certified installer Southern Illumination and Sound. Having used Coastal Source outdoor light fixtures and speakers at his own residence, Gonzalez was familiar with the quality and dependability of the brand and was confident that a properly designed and installed system could make a great first and lasting impression for his newly opened vacation resort.

“My company and I focus solely on outdoor audio and lighting installation and use strictly Coastal Source products,” comments Griffin.

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After assessing Gonzalez’s needs and expectations for the Rivers Rest project, Griffin quickly went to work, coordinating with Coastal Source’s in-house design team to customize a multi-functional solution to enhance the natural beauty of the property.

The manufacturer boasts the design fosters a welcoming and safe atmosphere for guests; it showcases themed murals and artwork, and it transforms an old grain bin-turned-pavilion into a relaxing social space. Using Coastal Source’s plan as a guide, Griffin installed approximately 80 light fixtures that combine double-tier path lights, niche lights, and MR16 downlights to illuminate key areas while maintaining the tranquil ambiance of the property.

Discreet Bollards Deliver Ear-Pleasing Audio Across the Grounds

For audio the objective was keeping the volume low and the reproduction high. Griffin employed a variety of speaker styles within the Coastal Source portfolio. 8.0 Mini Ellipse Bollards line the pathways, while Contour and Razor speakers deliver songs to the entertainment pavilion—all said, about a dozen to blanket the property with ear-pleasing audio.

“What impresses me most is not how loud the system gets, but how good the audio sounds at a low level,” enthuses Gonzalez. “I’ve been an electrician for 30 years and a landscaper for 20, but outdoor lighting and audio are relatively new to me. Still, with my background, it felt like a natural progression, and thanks to the quality of Coastal Source products and their support, the transition was seamless.”

Griffin credits Coastal Source’s Plug and Play cabling system for helping his team’s ability to work quickly and easily to install the Rivers Rest system. “As a landscaper, I know outdoor installations often evolve during a project—what’s on paper rarely reflects the outcome due to changes in the landscape. We can easily adjust the positions of fixtures and speakers on the fly to keep the project moving smoothly.”

Additionally, Griffin highlights the reliability of Coastal Source products, noting that callbacks for service are virtually eliminated.

“Returning to a site to fix lesser-quality systems can be expensive, especially in harsh weather conditions. With Coastal Source, our work is built to last, allowing us to focus on growing our business instead of revisiting old projects,” Griffin points out.

Coastal Source emphasizes that Gonzalez frequently explains to Rivers Rest clients the complexity of the installation praising the warm and inviting atmosphere the Coastal Source system helps to enhance. Coastal Source adds that because of the success of the Southern Illumination and Sound installation and resort’s southern hospitality, Rivers Rest enjoys significant repeat business and is even considering expanding to a second tiny home resort.

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