I gave a run at the Reflected Ceiling Plans for the project, although we might end up adjusting things slightly as work continues. An RCP is similar to a floor plan (a plan is a cut through the walls at a certain height above the floor – typically around 4′, and then the view down to the floor), except that an RCP looks back up at the ceiling, versus lying down on said floor and seeing the ceiling in reverse of the plan. Like imagining a mirror on the floor reflecting what you see above. So this sheet shows both floor and reflected ceiling plans – with power and data on the floor plans, and lights and switches on the ceiling plan. You can also see what the ceilings will look like in each room – the exposed framing in the basement den, and the skylights and ceiling changes on the main level. (The dashed squiggly lines show the switching – which lights are wired to the same switch, and where those switches are located on the walls.)
When we first renovated our house in 2000 we had a very, VERY tight budget. We thought about where we wanted light fixtures, but we only installed the recessed downlights in that plan. At all surface mounted or pendant locations we installed a $1 porcelain socket with a bare bulb, with the exception of the bathroom where we put in the cheapest Home Depot specials we could find. (Those came out in this renovation last year.) Over time we selected fixtures that we loved, and I’m pretty sure that we’re almost rid of those old $1 sockets! Just in time for this project, ha!
I have a feeling we might have some holdouts this go around as well. My taste in fixtures tend to run on the pricier side, and I don’t mind saving and waiting. In the kitchen and pantry, I’d like to use the same wall sconces we used in our master bathroom – these Artemide Dioscuri fixtures.
They have a very clean line to them, no visible hardware, and they let off a very diffuse glowing light. With no upper cabinets in the kitchen, we’ll have very tall walls that will look great with these fixtures on them. There would be a spot for one in the pantry as well, visible through the opening from the kitchen, and to the right of the high window in that room.
We’ll use recessed downlights for general lighting, but I do want one signature fixture for the center of the room. This light has several requirements – it needs to be able to raise and lower, and also to swivel and angle into various positions depending upon what is happening in the center of the room. We plan to have a mobile island in here – likely one that breaks into two pieces for added flexibility. So I want task lighting that can be pulled into use when the island is there, moved as the island moves, and lifted out of the way when the island is gone so we don’t bonk our heads on it.
The Artemide Tolemeo is always an option – we have one in F’s room, and its articulating arm is perfection. (Old picture / cute baby alert.)
My favorite is the Flos Mod 265 – it would be wall mounted and swing where we want it. I need to model it in Sketchup and see if it would really work. It’s very cool, and I think it could look great in the space.
The photos above are all from our friends / owners of Centro Modern Furnishings in the CWE. It’s my favorite dream and drool store, and I’ve got no shortage of dreaming and drooling for light fixtures. (My motto: Dimmers on everything!!)
I’ll pick up the lighting conversation again in the next post.
Swing arm lights are so cool!!! Tough to get exactly right, but if you get to the design the space for it, I bet it will be easier! 🙂