An Alcott & Bentley design project included The CopperSmith lanterns. (Photo courtesy of Alcott & Bentley)
When Allyson Mokhtarei, who co-owns Alcott & Bentley in Louisville, Ky., shops the wholesale market for outdoor lighting, she keeps three things in mind: fixture quality, craftsmanship and durability.
“A fixture that looks great today but peels or corrodes in three years costs us more in the long run — our reputation!” she said.
The quality and performance of a fixture have become increasingly important with the increased use of integrated LEDs, she noted. Showroom support from the sales representative or the manufacturer is “essential” to its buying decisions, she said, and in turn, Alcott & Bentley‘s sales team focuses on educating its clients on color temperature and color rendering. The 45-year-old lighting showroom carries a wide array of lighting and home décor and offers interior design services.
Some of her key vendors for outdoor lighting are The CopperSmith, Northeast Lantern, Livex and Justice Design, she said, citing their ability to customize fixtures, stock replacement parts and offer responsive support.
When it comes to ratings, Mokhtarei looks for damp and wet ratings as required for the area of installation. “Of course, our coastal jobs require protection for corrosion,” she added. All outdoor fixtures should have a lifetime warranty, in her opinion.
Dark Sky designs are important in the suburbs and horse farms of Louisville but is not required by code, she said.
