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SERVING SOUTHLAKE, TX
Bistro & String Light Installation in Southlake, TX
Southlake estates and Town Square patios call for lighting that looks designed, not draped. We install commercial-grade bistro strands with clean hardware, level spans and dimmable warm bulbs.
✓ Posts where needed ✓ Commercial-grade LED strands ✓ Dimmers and timers
QUICK ANSWER
Bistro lighting means large LED bulbs on heavy outdoor cable, strung overhead across patios, pool decks and dining areas. In Southlake, Christmas Decor by Carruthers Decorative Lighting plans each layout around the architecture, uses discreet anchors and posts, tensions guide wire on long spans and installs strands built to stay up year-round.
Since 1978
Dallas family business
5+ years
Commercial and large residential lighting
Fully insured
Liability and workers’ comp
4.5★ Google
Rated by DFW clients
Where Café Lights Shine in Southlake
Homes and businesses in Southlake use string lighting in different ways, so each layout is drawn for the space.
01
Pergola and arbor lighting
Runs follow the beams or drape between them, fastened with clips that leave the wood intact. A pergola becomes the focal point of the yard at night instead of a dark frame.
04
Walkways and entry paths
A row of posts with swagged strands guides guests from the parking area to the door. It doubles as a welcome and a safety light.
02
Backyard zig-zag canopies
Wide yards with no roof overhead get a canopy strung from house to poles and back. It turns an empty lawn into a usable outdoor room after sunset.
05
Dimmers, timers and smart plugs
A dimmer sets the mood, a timer turns strands on at dusk, and a smart plug puts control on your phone. Most installs use at least one.
03
Rooftop bars and terraces
Rooftops have few anchor points and more wind. We use weighted planter poles or parapet mounts and tensioned catenary wire so strands stay put on breezy nights.
06
Heavy-duty cable runs
Commercial strands use thicker jacketed cable and molded sockets built for outdoor exposure. They resist UV, summer heat and the twisting in the wind that ruins light-duty sets.
The Hardware Behind a Clean Install
A string light job looks simple until a strand sags, a hook pulls out of stucco or a plug trips every time it rains. Good hardware prevents all three.
We use stainless eye bolts and masonry anchors sized for the surface, steel guide wire for spans over about twenty feet, and posts set in concrete or weighted planters where nothing else exists. Power runs are planned before we hang a bulb, so cords never cross a walkway or sit in a puddle.
Anchors chosen for brick, stone or stucco
Guide wire on spans over twenty feet
Concrete-set posts or weighted planter poles
Power planned before the first bulb
Our String Light Process
01
Call or request
Call our Dallas office at 972-620-9560 or send a request. We ask what you want lit and set a site visit.
02
Walk the site
We measure spans, find anchor points, check power and note anything that needs a post, a guide wire or a special anchor.
03
Approve the plan
Look over the layout, choose bulbs and controls, and approve the quote. We order hardware and set an install date.
04
Crew installs
Posts go in, wire is tensioned and strands are hung level. We clean up and test the full system at the end.
05
Hand-off and walkthrough
You get a walkthrough of dimmers, timers and smart plugs. If anything needs attention later, our crew comes back.
Southlake Estates and Town Square
Southlake runs along SH 114 with Southlake Town Square at its center and large-lot neighborhoods like Timarron spreading out on every side.
Southlake Town Square
Restaurants around Town Square rely on their patios for evening business. Commercial strands with even spacing and service access keep tables lit every night and look sharp against the district's brick facades. A timer brings the patio up at dusk, and warm white bulbs complement the brick and storefront lighting without competing with it.
Estate backyards
Larger Southlake lots can have seating areas far from the house. Concrete-set posts painted to match fencing and tensioned guide wire build a canopy that feels architectural. Painted posts can echo existing ironwork or fencing, and the whole system can be dimmed so the yard stays elegant rather than bright.
Timarron
Homes in Timarron often have pools, outdoor kitchens and covered terraces. We zone the lighting so each area has its own dimmer and the overall look stays balanced from the street. Pool decks get shatter-resistant bulbs at a safe height, and outdoor kitchens get brighter task light over the grill and prep areas.
SH 114 commercial sites
Offices and restaurants along SH 114 often add outdoor terraces for staff and guests. Timer-controlled strands keep them inviting after hours without daily attention. Commercial cable holds up to years of use, and hardware is placed so terraces look clean and uncluttered during the day as well.
Permanent Strands or Seasonal Swags
Most of our bistro installs stay up year-round. With guide wire, solid anchors and outdoor-rated cable, a well-hung system can stay in place through the seasons and only needs occasional bulb changes.
Some clients want strands only for spring and fall entertaining, or for a single event. We can set permanent hang points and posts so seasonal strands go up and come down quickly without new holes each time. If you want color, ask about PermaLites 365 permanent lighting for the roofline too.
Year-round systems with outdoor-rated cable
Permanent hang points for seasonal strands
No new holes each time strands return
Pairs with PermaLites 365 roofline lighting
How We Build a Southlake Quote
Every quote is built from your space, so these are the details that move it.
Height and access
Second-story hang points, rooftops and high pergolas may need taller ladders or a lift, which adds labor and setup time compared with a single-story patio.
Permanent or seasonal
A year-round system is built with heavier hardware and guide wire from day one. Seasonal setups with reusable hang points spread their cost differently over time.
Commercial requirements
Restaurants and venues often need heavier cable, more anchor points and service access that staff can reach. Those details add durability for nightly use and some cost.
Power and controls
Using an existing outdoor outlet is the simplest setup. Adding dimmers, timers, smart plugs or a new circuit from a licensed electrician changes the scope of the job.
Bulb type and count
Bulb shape, shatter resistance and socket spacing all affect cost. Tighter spacing gives fuller, brighter light overhead but uses more bulbs and more cable on every run.
What DFW clients say
4.5-star average on Google from clients across Dallas-Fort Worth.
★★★★★
“This is the first year I have used this company, & I can say I am absolutely pleased! The designer and I agreed on the overall design, and the team executed it properly. Any issues that have arisen since install, they have been very prompt in their…”
Ellen Sterin
★★★★★
“These guys were amazing. Highly recommend them for all your decorative lighting needs.”
Alex Shaw
★★★★★
“First season with them and hands down best service I’ve had. Very impressed with their service and communication. David was very professional and made the entire experience easy and worry free. Will definitely be keeping my business with them!”
Courtney Carrier
Before You Book: Common Questions
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call 972-620-9560 or request a free quote online.
How long does a typical backyard install take?
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Most residential patios and backyards are finished in a single day. Jobs that need posts set in concrete, long catenary spans or work at second-story height can take longer, and we tell you the expected timeline when we send the quote so you can plan.
Will you mount to brick, stone or stucco without damage?
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Yes. We choose anchors for each surface. On brick we use mortar joints where possible, on stucco we seal every penetration, and on stone we size masonry anchors for the load. The goal is a secure hang point that leaves a small, tidy footprint.
Do I need a new outdoor outlet?
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Often not. Many patios already have a GFCI outdoor outlet that can carry an LED system. If the layout needs power somewhere new, a licensed electrician adds the circuit or switch, and we plan the run so power lands in the right spot.
Are you insured?
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Yes. Our crews are covered by liability insurance and workers' compensation. Southlake property managers, landlords and homeowners can request a certificate of insurance from our Dallas office before work starts, and we are happy to send it to whoever needs a copy.
What drives the cost of a string light install?
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Run length, number of spans, posts, bulb type, mounting surfaces, power needs and height all play a part. Commercial patios add heavier cable and service access. We measure on site and quote from those numbers, so you see exactly what you are paying for.
Can a business patio get holiday décor too?
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Yes. Holiday lighting and décor is our main business. For Southlake restaurants, venues and commercial properties, we can add wreaths, garland, lit trees and building lighting around the patio, with design, installation, in-season service and removal handled by one team.
Can string lights stay up all year?
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They can. A year-round system uses heavier cable, steel guide wire and anchors meant to stay put. Retail sets are not built for that, which is why they fade, crack and sag within a season. Commercial-grade strands handle years of North Texas heat, wind and storms.
Can you light a restaurant or brewery patio?
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Yes. Commercial patios are a core part of this work. We use heavier cable, more anchor points and layouts that keep clear headroom for staff, and we plan service access so a bulb change never interrupts a dinner rush. Certificates of insurance are available.
How long do commercial-grade LED bulbs last?
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LED bistro bulbs are rated for many thousands of hours, which covers years of evening use. They also use a fraction of the power of older bulbs and stay cool. Individual bulbs replace easily, so a single failure never means replacing the whole run.