Please help me avoid unpleasant lighting in kitchen
5 years ago
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- 5 years ago
- 5 years ago
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Trying to avoid using vanity lights - please help...
Comments (7)planningnut, if I only relied on the chandy to my left and wall sconce to my right (my bathroom is 10x11) I'd have about the same amt of light as the three recessed lights but different. The recessed lights cast shadows and is not flattering while looking in the mirror. The lights to the side illuminate the face better and is more pleasing. Side lighting is always more flattering than overhead lighting and preferred at a vanity setting. I knew this. I had pendants that hung from the ceiling on each side of my 75" vanity before the remodel. 100w in each fixture. Super bright bathroom, I loved it. It just wouldn't work with the remodel. I knew from remodeling the kitchen that the recessed lights needed to be centered over the counter's EDGE to get the best lighting and to reduce shadows. That's what I intended to do in the bathroom (there are three recessed lights...two at the vanity and one opposite the room at the entrance) but my bil thought since I was looking into a mirror, the placement should be different. Monica...See Morehelp me avoid stainless hood glare
Comments (9)I'm necessarily appreciative of anyone who tries that hard to think about a specific space and give thoughtful answers. And, I didn't specify an "easy" answer to my light issue, just an answer. I need another brain to toss around ideas. That is what the "fab" comment was. (If you could see our apartment and all the strange little solutions in the plans, then you'd know that I am so very ok with non-"off-the-shelf" ideas.) Maybe I have unusually heat absorbing hair. I don't know, but when I'm in clothing stores and they have those spot lights, I have to quell the urge to whimper. (My husband is still surprised at how hot the top of my head feels in certain circumstances.) No, I don't have a bouffant, just a regular bob. Dunno why this is. But we are both relatively fearful that we will inadvertently render the kitchen unusable (with lights on, at least) by installing recessed lights. (The only direct experience that either of us has with recessed was when we lived in Denver and our rental had them: we ended up unscrewing the worst offenders - like the one over the coffeemaker - because neither of us could tolerate the obnoxious bugger. We are also hopeful that a dimmer switch might help the early morning lighting insurrections.) I like the idea of a mock-up. It sounds necessary at this point. Two questions: 1. Why does nobody use the glass circles over their recessed lights anymore? My mom re-did her kitchen (many) years ago, with recessed somewhat randomly pock-marking the center area. I never noticed because I always flip the UC lights on to do anything, but they do provide general ambient. According to her, nobody thought very much about the location of them, and, according to her, of course you need the frosted glass circles (lenses?). Why don't people do this anymore? It seems to solve the whole looking-up-and-being-blinded problem. (I understand that I am foisting upon you the role of "light historian" with this question but I figured somebody somewhere might know the answer and maybe that somebody was maybe you...) Is it for the "drama" factor? Because I could understand how you get the "pools of light" with naked recessed that everyone (else) swoons for. 2. If we do the mock-up and find that the shadows on the counter below are fine/nonexistent, then is it the pronounced scallops on the cabinets that are considered so undesirable aesthetically and that is why people say we shouldn't do that? (And, I guess related to the first question, would the glass lenses mitigate this?)...See MoreHelp me to understand lighting options for kitchen please
Comments (6)Hi Raee, "I couldn't find anyone to explain to me re baffle, reflector, open -- which one is right for my space?" Baffle -- the inside part of a can. Usually white and either flat or banded for appearance. The baffle is the part that turns the inside of a can from looking like the inside of a can, into having a nice white interior. Baffles are cheap, they're like $8. If you use a baffle, you would then use a regular flood bulb. Retrofit -- In lieu of using a baffle and bulb, you can buy an all-in-one kit these days. They come w the LED light and the trim in one piece. You don't need the baffle separate from the bulb with LED, cuz theoretically, the lights will not burn out in your lifetime. Look for Retrofit kits. They have them at HD, Menards, Lowes. Reflector -- some bulbs (PAR style) light up a filament or diode, then reflect the light downwards in a particular pattern. They can have a narrow (aka flashlight) or wide (aka flood light) reflection pattern. All bulbs with a reflector and PAR style will have a more focused light than a light which has a diffuser insead, which is a BR style. For general lighting, I much prefer BR. "Which gives gentle, broad lighting?" Look for BR style kits. Avoid PAR if you want gentle, broad. "Was guessing that 5-in would be about right?" Sure. This is all personal preference. Personally, I went with 5" in my remodel. But I was working with a little lower than normal ceilings, so I didn't want really big (6") cans. 5" or 6" would be fine. Smaller would look a little more modern, larger a little more traditional. "Best price" I don't think you can go wrong here. Your electrician will probly get an ok price, tho you can probly beat it a bit if you want to put the leg work into it and find a sale. I usually have my electrician and plumber friends quote me "wholesale" prices when I need a fixture and they call their supplier, and oddly Menards or Home Depot usually beats them. I know right now the Menards 5" retrofit kit is on sale for $10 off. I'm about to take my receipts in to get $10 back on each one I've bought. Major score! I bought and analyzed the various kits available at stores by me, see the thread below... Hope that helps! -mike Here is a link that might be useful: My analysis of LED retrofit kits...See MoreHelp me avoid "matchy matchy" without getting too eclectic. Please :)
Comments (30)Your window is more like 6 feet across...looking at the size of the doors and room. So four feet wouldn't be too small...however, that's massive so you'll have to get one as side in diameter as you can. I think the one above (top right) has more presence than the lower one. I think you have another thread going on this topic? I didn't look but maybe you can ask there, too......See MoreRelated Professionals
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