Floating Solar Crocodile Light
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
I think this floating solar crocodile light falls into the “just when you thought you’d seen everything…” category. I’m not sure where the solar cells are on that scaly head, but somehow it sucks in the sun’s energy throughout the day, and then at night, the eyes light up. Now, I doubt this would provide enough light to entertain by, or even to keep from stubbing your toe walking down a garden path after dark, but it sure could scare the heck out of your party goers. Let it float in your pool or pond and just wait to hear the startled screams…
The price for the crocodile light is $50 at the OnlineDiscountMart.
via Tabulas
These outdoor electric candles don’t require lighting, wicks, or any of the usual candle mainstays, but they’re supposed to flicker like the real thing. “Each candle contains one electric flame light bulb that produces three points of randomly shifting light, creating a glow that rolls, flickers, and casts dancing shadows, just like a real candle flame.” You can hang the lanterns from trees, posts, the eaves, or anywhere else you want to light up the backyard. Though they look like they’re made from paper, they’re supposed to be sturdy enough to stand up to some wind and rain. These particular lanterns come in a four-pack and are available from SmartHome for just under $100. 
If you love the look of a good old Greek column (who doesn’t?), you can now light your home with it. This wall sconce is supposed to look like a broken pillar, right out of some archaeological dig (or maybe just swiped from the front of the local Greek restaurant). Available from Lighting by Gregory, the Justice Design 4720 Wall Sconce comes in more than a dozen finishes, and you can even choose what kind of bulb you want (incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent). The UL listing says the $125 lamp is suitable for damp locations, so maybe you can use a few of them outdoors, to pimp out that Acropolis-inspired entertaining deck you’ve been meaning to add to the backyard… 
Ah, just what everybody needs: a frog-shaped lantern for your candles. Well, if you like a bit of amphibian whimsy, this candle holder is designed for outdoor use, so you could perch it on a rock in your garden. At three pounds, it’s not going to be blown over by the wind very easily, and the sturdy rustic iron exterior will protect your candles when they’re lit. The frog has a little hinged access door in the side, so you can slip a votive in there without trouble. When it’s burning, the light escapes through the little whorls on the frog’s back and sides. I imagine it’d be kind of cool at night.
A lot of people just stick a wall sconce next to their sliding glass door and call it sufficient deck lighting. Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. It depends on what you’re doing outside. If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining, you may want to be able to see your guests (and the food you’re grilling) well past sunset. An outdoor ceiling lamp is a good choice for a covered porch or deck. Unlike their indoor counterparts, outdoor ceiling lamps are usually a bit sturdier, in order to stand up to the elements. They are also waterproof.
Here’s a fun lamp for those of you who enjoy the falling leaves of autumn. The Justice Design outdoor wall sconce is made unique by the colorful leaf cut-outs illuminating the fixture. It would work well next to a sliding glass deck door or maybe lighting up the porch around the front door. The lamp comes in dozens of finishes, so you can find something to match the paint of your house, if you want.