Nestled high in the Blue Ridge foothills within The Cliffs at Glassy community, a gorgeous 3,600-square-foot home on 15 wooded acres has become a showcase for what happens when design, technology, and nature work in harmony. For homeowners Steve and Heather, their mountain retreat was intended as a visually stunning sanctuary – with the outdoors celebrating panoramic views by day and a luminous serenity by night.
To bring that vision to life, Peter Sepesi, VP of Sales at Coastal Source, helped oversee the design and installation of a complete landscape lighting and audio system that elevated the property’s natural beauty, extended its usability into the evening hours, and provided a subtle yet powerful sense of security. The result is a home that glows gently against the Carolina mountainscape — not just a residence, but an experience.
Sepesi had known the homeowners for more than two decades, having designed and integrated systems for their homes in several states. That level of trust allowed him to create a solution deeply tailored to how they live.
“When you work with a client for 25 years, you become part of their lifestyle,” he said. “You know what matters most, where they relax, what they love to see, and how they want to feel in their space. That trust lets you design not just for aesthetics, but for experience.”
The couple’s connection to their surroundings, a property perched on the edge of a mountain and framed by vibrant gardens, demanded a lighting scheme that balanced artistry with safety. “The mountain terrain is breathtaking, but it’s also challenging,” Sepesi noted. “Every lighting fixture placement had to enhance both visibility and beauty. It’s about creating confidence underfoot while highlighting the landscape’s natural drama.”
The installation features a wide range of Coastal Source FLEX Series fixtures, including Double Tiered Hat Path Lights, Bullet Uplights, and Niche Director and Hanging Lights, all in finishes that complement the natural tones of the stonework and gardens.
For Heather, an avid gardener, the lighting design has transformed her garden into a nighttime gallery of color and texture. “Our goal was to bring her garden to life after sunset not with harsh lighting, but with the softness of moonlight,” Sepesi explained. “The wide-throw path lights celebrate the roses and flowering ground cover while ensuring each step on the irregular stone walkway feels comfortable.”
Behind the scenes, the system relies on Coastal Source’s Plug+Play™ cabling and Composite 150W G2 Transformers. These ensure not only flawless performance but longevity, even amid the humidity, rain, and temperature shifts of the Carolina foothills.
“Coastal Source products are built for places exactly like this,” said Sepesi. “The mountain weather can be unpredictable with moisture, heat, and cold all in one week. But our fixtures and connectors don’t just survive those conditions, they perform through them. That’s the essence of our Defy the Elements™ ethos.”
While the lighting design enriches the property’s aesthetic, it also delivers essential security and safety benefits. The home’s remote location means nights can be pitch black — a challenge for visibility and surveillance. By integrating path lighting and uplighting throughout the property, Sepesi and the team ensured that both the homeowners and their security cameras could clearly see the landscape after dark.
“At night in the mountains, complete darkness can feel isolating,” Sepesi said. “When we added the landscape lighting, it changed everything. The property felt alive and more welcoming. It gives the homeowners peace of mind, especially when they’re away and checking in remotely.”
Although the lighting is the project’s centerpiece, audio also plays a defining role in enhancing the couple’s outdoor experience. Along the meandering garden paths, compact Coastal Source Pathfinder speakers provide gentle, full-bodied music as Heather tends to her plants. Around the back deck and putting green, a Coastal Source high-performance system powered by dedicated amplification delivers deeper, more immersive sound that reflects Steve’s lifelong passion for music and technology.
“The beauty of outdoor audio is how it connects people to their spaces,” said Sepesi. “We didn’t want sound to dominate; we wanted it to belong. Along the garden, it’s delicate and conversational. On the deck, it has the power and presence to match the mountain backdrop. That versatility is what makes Coastal Source audio special.”
Every aspect of the lighting and audio design embodies Coastal Source’s philosophy of performance through craftsmanship. The fixtures’ solid brass construction and precision engineering ensure not only visual appeal but a lifetime of reliability.
“Projects like this are why I’m passionate about what we do,” said Sepesi. “You’re not just installing lights and speakers — you’re helping people enjoy their homes in a whole new way. Every morning, Steve tells me he wakes up before dawn, makes his coffee, and steps outside just to admire the lights. That’s the kind of emotional connection great design creates.”
The result is a property that shines in more ways than one. A home that feels alive long after sunset, blending comfort, technology, and nature into a single, seamless, and secure experience.