Lighting options.

[JNJ]

We own a pretty old house (about 110 years old) with the good ole fashioned lathe and plaster walls. The living room has outlets in it but it has no lighting.

Now one would say, "No problem -- just fish a line down to an outlet from a hole in the ceiling, pull some wire, cut a hole for a switch, and you'll be all set!" Ordinarily I would say back, "Right on!" BUT not so in THIS old house -- the studs have a nasty habit of having the occasional piece of cross wood and the ceiling joists are 8 inch thick cedar running front to back.

There's no way I'm going to tear into one of these walls or drill the joists -- been there, done that, I still haven't put the baseboards back on yet. :) So I'm looking for some lighting options that are minimally invasive or a technique that works more easily on older homes such as this one.

Any suggestions (other than floor/table lamps)?

James

[Robert A. Barr]

Raceway.

[JNJ]

What did you have in mind?

[Banister Stairwell]

A raceway is a wall or ceiling mounted channel that will conceal the wiring similar to conduit, only more decorative in nature.

This link should give you an idea of what he's talking about...

Check out your local Lowe's or HD.

[Figmo]

Swag lamps used to be popular in the 70's, plug into a switched outlet and then the chain hangs from a hook in the ceiling. Would modernize your living room by about 80 years.

- Figmo

[Gary Tait]

Or modernize it yet another 2 years by using uplighting torchiere lamps. You could also do wall sconces, if the blocking isn't in the way.

If you can, remove the floorboards on the floor above and work from there.

[JNJ]

Thanks -- Actually, I knew what he was referring to as a raceway, but I was curious if he would recommend any in particular, other than the standard plastic/brass/etc trimming like what is in the picture at your link. While that's ok in a utility room, it would really stand out badly in a living room.

I was thinking of maybe doing something creative with some moulding myself -- kind of create a pattern along the walls/ceiling that would allow for the wiring but still maintain some sort of decor. I've been doing some searching on the 'net, looking for pictures where others have used raceways effectively, but I just haven't found many at all. Disappointing really -- with all the bragging rights to home improvement projects, you'd think there would be more folks putting up before and after pics.

James

[JNJ]

Gee, just 80 years? :)

James

[JNJ]

We used these for a while but they're both inconvenient and not particularly safe IMHO so we've gotten away from them.

Another option I've been thinking on. Have you seen any examples of living rooms that have effectively used wall lighting as opposed to ceiling lighting? Do you know of any pics of designs that I could find online?

I'm trying to avoid ripping too much up/out -- this is a fairly old house and every time I do one small thing it becomes a major rennovation. :(

James

[barry martin]

James:

J > We own a pretty old house (about 110 years old) with the good ole fashioned J > lathe and plaster walls. The living room has outlets in it but it has no J > lighting.

What about making the raceways decorative? My uncle used styrofoam "wood beams" in his den. In the panel he had the ceiling light was a false ceiling: ran the fixture's wire in the space between the real ceiling and the false one. Think there was just enough room to run Romex - probably supported by lathe strips. Run the wire in the beams.

- ¯ barry.martinþATþthesafebbs.zeppole.com ®

• Who beta tested Preparations A through G, and why?