You're not dumb at all, Anna! I was just as clueless when I first began looking at supplemental lighting... there's a lot to know! Mine are all 48" in length, double tube fixtures. We got them on sale, but I know we didn't pay more than $24 per unit. The amount of lights you see in my pictures above is really not enough... but it's adequate. There should be two more fixtures per table, ideally. Some of our seedlings did stretch toward the lights, but that's all we could hang from the ceiling above due to obstructions. To start seeds, heat mats aren't really necessary, but in many cases, do help with faster germination. So, don't worry so much about heat mats... one or two small ones should be enough. Most of your regular perennial, annual, and veggie seeds should sprout just fine without bottom heat... as long as the ambient temperature in your basement is relatively warm. As you seedlings grow, even beforehand, good air circulation will be a necessity. I suggest an oscillating fan to stir the air and move it around. You're less likely to experience fungal issues, and the moving air will help your seedlings develop sturdier stems. Please, Anna... ask all the questions you need to! We all began somewhere... and most of us felt clueless at first... I know I did! I hope this helps... :-)

Thanks all. Sorry for the delayed response. I live in northern Massachusetts, about an hour north of Boston. The portico is about 5 feet wide. I requested a precast concrete step (figured this would be the cheapest) as my foundation is granite they mount them on cement slabs, no footings needed. Attached is the current portico...you'll notice the lovely sloping due to the stairs sinking. (Please excuse the hideous paint color...that is going as soon as I figure out the portico situation.) I requested the rebuild to have two columns with picture frame molding, with an open vaulted ceiling design and a drop light. Now I am thinking perhaps instead of the columns I will do brackets with a curved design to play off the "visors" over the window.

2. Do you have a light switch for your fixtures already? If so, I would just replace the switch with a Leviton timer. I have several of these for over 10years and they work perfectly. I reset the time] twice a year with daylight savings and never touch them apart from that. It looks like there is a newer one that uses longitude and latitude so you don't have to change the time manually. 3. For the fixtures, look at Hinkley for some styles that may fit. 5. Since the numbering is next to the garage, I don't think it would be hard to get an outlet installed on top of the numbering. I would use a downlight sconce over the numbers that match the lighting you selected for rest of the exterior lighting. Definitely consider LEDs for exterior lighting, they are brighter and save a ton of money when on for over 12hours a day. Good luck!

You have a lovely foyer and the sconces you purchased will look GREAT! I think you shouldn't stop at replacing the sconces. Sorry but your chest of drawers, chairs, portrait and flower arrangement kind of look like a funeral home. I would remove all these things and hang a large floor to ceiling mirror between the sconces and replace the rug with something current and perhaps round to echo the curved staircase and the curved wall. And that's it. You have some lovely architectural details in your foyer, don't distract from them by adding more stuff. If you replace your ceiling light fixture, can you replace with a light in the same family as the sconces?