1.19.2015

Lighting. F'ing lighting.

It just got stressful. Or tense. Or something uncomfortable that I can't really describe. It actually started last week when we opened the electrical can of worms. And as you can see from the electrical page of our plans, it's pink worms to be exact.








Lighting. It's getting the better of me.

I know it matters but I don't totally understand the implications. I know what I don't like. And I know that I really dislike bad lighting.  But what makes bad lighting? And what makes good lighting? And what makes energy efficient lighting? And I get why most people pay a professional for this kind of thing!

It feels important and expensive. And if you make a mistake there is paint and drywall and all kinds of stuff that you have to get through to fix it. So the pressure is on getting it right and getting it right now, not later.

So there you have it.

And over the weekend, while Uncle Robin again entertained our children, we walked and talked lighting and came up with this outrageously comprehensive addendum to our lighting plan:

LIVING ROOM (ALL NOT INCLUDED IN ORIGINAL SCOPE)

ADD: 8 LED cans in 2 rows as discussed with John
LOCATION: First row of cans should be in the second bay from the right if you're looking towards the mountain right
DISCUSS: Center row of cans with wide angle light dispersion and row of cans close the stairs spotlight set up
ADD: Track light 18-24" from left wall
ADD: Cans to be on the same switch the and the track light to be on its own switch, switch located at corner in dining room
ADD: For Phase 2 hallway to the bedrooms, add 1 cans centered in "hallway" and one can in the small little hallway
ADD: For Phase 2 stair, add 2 cans centered on future landing (get placement and dimensions of landing - layout TBD)
VERIFY: Existing ceiling light in entry stays the same as does switch
VERIFY: Raise the existing/new outlets to accommodate future raised floor in entry
VERIFY: Switch locations

POWDER ROOM

CHANGE: Fan/Light combo to Fan only, no light
CHANGE: Move fan to the corner above toilet
ADD: beauty plate in the center of the room for a ceiling fixture
ADD: Ceiling fixture to same switch as vanity light (ADDITION TO SCOPE)
VERIFY: Outlet location next to light switch
A/P: Choose vanity light fixture (TBD)
A/P: Choose ceiling light fixture (TBD)
LAUNDRY ROOM
ADD: Track light running parallel to long countertop/cabinet (ADDITION TO SCOPE)
Place track near double joist in the ceiling or at the end of the second bay if you are looking towards the mountain
CHANGE: Only 1 LED can instead of 2, centered in doorway (CHANGE TO SCOPE)
VERIFY: Location of switch for 1 Can and 1 track light on wall behind barn door
VERIFY: outlet under window and near sink
A/P: Choose track/lights (TBD)
PANTRY

A/P: Choose light fixture (TBD)
ADD: Box with cover for exposed wire for under shelf wire (ADDITION TO SCOPE)
CHANGE: Framing for duct to give one more shelf in pantry
ADD: Water source to outside for hose

DINING ROOM  - ONLY 6 CANS/Ceiling fixture INCLUDED IN SCOPE

ADD: Wiring for 60 inch track light in ceiling at sub panel wall about 18 inches away from wall
ADD: Wiring for 60 inch track light in front of the wall with barn door
ADD: track light that starts at the left side of the laundry door, in line with the door at the ceiling
ADD: Switch for ALL track light on inside of the desk nook
CHANGE: Move all cans toward the center, location as discussed with John
ADD/CHANGE: 4 LED cans per row instead of 3, use light in laundry as starting point
CHANGE: second can from the wall on the left side if you look to the mountain to be centered over the barn door entrance so that the two cans there will be in line with the can in the laundry room
CHANGE: The rows of cans should respectively be moved closer to the center of the room by approximately 6 inches VIF
ADD: Beauty blanket for ceiling fixture center of the room (use kitchen pendants as guide)
ADD: Switch beauty blanket to switches on wall with the sub panel

STORAGE CLOSET (ADDITION TO SCOPE - forgotten on plans, Anne's mistake)

ADD: 2 outlets, location discussed today with John
A/P: Choose light fixture (TBD)

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

CHANGE: Do not have Landscape lighting switch in master
A/P: Discuss where to set up landscape lighting closer to kitchen

KITCHEN
VERIFY: Location of Switch for existing island lights
VERIFY: Location of Switch for existing kitchen cans
STAIRS

ADD: Stair tread/riser illuminating lights on the wall without railing (ADDITION TO SCOPE)
A/P: Choose small LED lights for stair risers (TBD)
A/P: CHOOSE between 2 CANS, TRACK OR SCONCES

SITTING ROOM

VERIFY: NO double hot outlets in sitting room (no switch powered outlets)
ADD: Track lights on 2 ridges and ridge of hallway
A/P: Choose track fixture (TBD)

MISC

DISCUSS: Placement of landline in kitchen, near microwave
DISCUSS: Door bell placement?
DISCUSS: Set up for future alarm system

QUESTIONS FOR ELECTRICIAN
  1. Can we run HDMI cables as well as coax cable up through the wall to the TVs? This will allow us to connect the 2 quart shallow cables together.
  2. How much would it cost to run the neutral wire to the outlet next to the kitchen door?
  3. Are the different track systems standardized so that different light fixtures will fit?
  4. DISCUSS: Using 2 circuit track lighting instead of just 1 track for flexibility
  5. In 2 circuit track do standard fixtures fit there and they just get adjusted or do you have to buy very special fixtures?
  6. Can you cut tracks to length if there longer than you need them?
  7. DISCUSS: Reattaching outdoor electrical outlets
  8. Is there anything you need to do differently to set up for going solar?

And there you have it. 

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