Of my four daughters (by location they are GF, F, B, and TC) the one I most often brainstorm with is TC and it's always a joy, often provoking laughter as we wend our way toward solutions.
On the topic of electrical ideas for the studio, she came up with a truly great solution to the question of how to light the front room (which will one day be the main studio work room) effectively and efficiently.
The original light fixture is antique; while I love the aesthetics of it, it's not practical. The same applies to the dining room.
Given the need for good lighting, flexibility, and a desire to be able to spotlight different areas at different times (for showcasing a work and/or for various work stations) I was stymied. Using lamps is only a stop-gap method of getting the effects I want.
TC, bless her forever, suggested track lighting in an eight foot square.
Now that's something I can get my head around.
It serves the purpose, isn't 'invasive' in the sense of being an irreversible change to the 100 Year Old Home, and is something I'm fully capable of getting done my own self.
The height of the old ceilings means the lighting isn't going to be the first thing you notice when you walk in. It will be up high enough to not intrude on anyone's line of vision. It won't, unlike the antique light fixture, hang down so far that it's in the way (low enough for some to bump their heads on). And it's not pretty enough to detract attention from what is SUPPOSED to be the focus. Namely (someday) works of art, either finished pieces or works in progress.
As the dining room will be a secondary work room, it will have the same requirements; the same solution will work. It's a smaller room so the tracks won't be as long, but the same principle is in play and the track lighting will definitely be a good move.
I don't know what I'm going to do with the original hanging light fixtures; maybe when I get to the attic part of the studio projects I'll put them up there where I can put the center of the ceiling as high as I want so they'll hang up out of everyone's way while providing their own 100 year old beauty.
Otherwise it's just a matter of adding more outlets and maybe another circuit or two, which is a cake-walk.
The two original light fixtures I want to keep are the ones in the morning room and the kitchen. I'll have to rewire them so they're up to code of course, but I want to keep and use them as they are so much a part of the rooms they are in.
While I'm putting in track lighting I may as well give what will be the new kitchen the same treatment and be done with it. My bedroom can have all the lamps I want.
Having better than adequate lighting, during the long dark of Dakota Winters, makes an incredible difference. Using energy efficient bulbs makes you feel okay about it.
One thing about using wiring that exceeds industry standards is that I don't have to worry about overload.
That too shows that I'm proceeding in an orderly fashion.
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