Do not you want to create something for the winter collection?
http://sp.zhabite.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?edit=true&id=538197900
(something like Christmas lights, perhaps)
that would be nice

I mean the prop lights. For example with the mod More Beautification, there is a Lights category that has an orange "Floor Light" that has just a little bit of light, which would fit perfectly with this lantern.
Is that kind of light source not available in the asset editor to place in your lantern, to make it actually emit light?

in order for the patch on the ground to have the same color as the light the patch would need to be the same color and there is no way to hide that patch during the day, at least not to my knowledge/skills.

also, the illumination only seems to work at the closest zoom level. not sure how to solve that.

Looks great, though i'd like if it emitted some light too (on the ground etc).
Maybe the "Orange Floor Light" would work well if positioned just under the hanging lantern itself.

Okay, in 30min. LOL. Takes a loooooong time to load my savegames using 720 workshop items :p

lol, like 2 seconds ago! let me know how it looks. its my first attempt at an illumination map.

Updated? Did you actually manage to make it emit light now? =)