skip to main content

Home Disasters Lighting Design Dilemma

lighting mix-up: how can we fix it?

newenglandsara2

2 years ago

Hi All,

We are staying offsite during a renovation, and we found out yesterday that our contractor put wafer lighting exclusively in four new rooms at our house: a laundry room, study, sitting room and walk-in closet. We really wanted centered flush mount fixtures in these spaces. Our house was built in 1941, and the rooms are simple and small. We like the way flush mount lighting gives us the chance to add some personality and is also period correct. The rough electrical has been completed, and the plasterers are at the house now. Our contractor is away for the weekend, and I am feeling stressed!

Any suggestions regarding how we might fix this without spending a fortune? I would love to have some things to propose to our contractor when he returns on Monday.

Thanks so much!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Josie23: Zone 5: WI
2 years ago
What type of lighting is in your plans and contract? If the contractor screwed up, let him know right away so he can stop the work and get it fixed on his dime. If nothing is specific in the contract about what type of lights you want, then it's your fault for not keeping in contact with the contractor and spelling out the lighting desires.

Either way have him stop the work ASAP so nothing more gets spent until it gets fixed. Yes you may have to pay out, and at that point you will need to decide how much it is worth to you to have it the way you wanted it.

Maybe it's possible to just switch out the fixtures from wafer to flush mount? Not sure what the wiring difference would be for each type of fixture.

And go to your site as much as possible as they work to make sure things are going as planned!
newenglandsara2
Original Author
2 years ago
Josie, thanks so much! We actually did not have a lighting plan. However, every other room in our house has a centered flush mount fixture. We assumed this was the default and that we would have been contacted about variations. I was obviously wrong to assume! :(

I was hoping to we could pop a flush mount where the wafer lights are, but there are 3-4 wafer lights per room. I think this means that they are not centered. And of course, plaster wrapped up yesterday!

I would love to get a sense of what it would take to reverse this sort of work so that I can talk to our contractor from a more educated place on Monday.

I really appreciate your thoughts!
Related Discussions
How much can we do without much $ up front?
Q
Comments (4)
I've been looking at the same thing here the past few weeks. One thing that caught my eye was solar air heaters. They are glass over a dark surface metallic, an place for air to circulate and a warm and cold vent. I thought perhaps the same thing could be done with window coverings. ( curtains and shades ) A black layer toward the glass, a metallic layer then a light layer inside toward the living space. You can find NASA space blankets, for the metallic fabic for about $2 in the sports dept of most dept. stores. The other materials can be purchased easily. I'm trying it now. I put white cotton roman shades in the master bedroom today and put a metallic layer between the fabric folds. Next I'll put a black layer on the outside that I can remove in the spring. Below is the site that gave me the idea. Here is a link that might be useful: Clear dome solar space heaters
...See More
Need to install pendant light but how do we fix this?
Q
Comments (12)
Thank you all! If we remove it (and we need to because I don't trust this situation), patch it, etc. does that mean that the entire kitchen and great room ceiling will have to be painted? Do you paint a textured ceiling or do they have to "texture" the entire two rooms again? This house is 20 years old and nothing has been maintained. I did like cat_ky idea of maybe putting a ceiling medallion. I wonder if they make square ones - I will look that up. She has to have an electrician come and check everything. The owner has weird electrical wiring ALL over this house especially the basement. None of the outlets in the basement work. He sheetrocked in the WATER SHUT OFF VALVE when he finished the basement himself... Oh my....
...See More
How can I fix a messed up flooring application?
Q
Comments (3)
Read manufacturer installation specs...they should have installation instructions, floor prep, etc. Or if you want to find an answer here add the name of the tile you got, the name of the tile manufacturer, and most likely someone will point you to a manufacturer website so you can download installation specs. Good luck
...See More
Help please! How can we fix this?
Q
Comments (17)
Set an 8' straightedge along the long sides and place the level on them please. Set the straightedge (or an 8' level) in an "X" fashion all along the top too. You've got a sink cutout with little or no radii in the corners. If that top is torqued from not being flat, you'r asking for a crack starting at a sink corner. I'd do it before the installer's check cleared.
...See More
wdccruise
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
By "wafer lights" I assume you're referring to shallow recessed lights. I think you're lucky. The lighting in the laundry room and closet doesn't matter. The study will need additional task lighting and the sitting room will need table or floor lamps anyway. I'd leave it alone. Just make sure the lights are dimmable and that they're controlled by dimmers.

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Patio Fix-Ups: 6 Ways to Light Your Outdoor Room

By Laura Gaskill

Let the good times roll well into the evening with string lights, sconces, pendants and more to illuminate your patio or deck

DIY PROJECTS How to Fix Up a Thrifted Lamp

By Shelly Miller Leer

Save money and earn DIY cred by rewiring and snazzing up a damaged lamp you scored on the cheap

WALL TREATMENTS 10 Ways Wallpaper Can Fix Design Quirks

By Trendoffice Interior Design Consulting

Wallcovering is like good makeup. It can be used to disguise flaws and play up a room’s strengths

TASTEMAKERS Schoolhouse Electric Powers Up Timeless Lighting

By Vanessa Brunner

Enduring lighting designs from this storied home furnishings company mix practicality, simplicity and beauty

LANDSCAPE DESIGN All-White Gardens Light Up the Night

Lustrous blooms in white, cream and the palest ivory enchant in the landscape at night — and can be practical too

FEEL-GOOD HOME Light Up Winter With DIY Scented Soy Candles

You can whip up these pretty scented soy candles in an afternoon to give friends — or keep for yourself

REMODELING GUIDES Quick Fix: Easy Toe-Kick Lighting

By Vanessa Brunner

Here's a cost-effective way to give your kitchen or bath an unexpected glow

COLOR Light Up Your Room With Sunshine Yellow

See 10 ways to leave winter behind and embrace the most cheering of spring shades

WINDOWS NOT JUST DRAPES: Mix And Match Treatments To Dress Up Windows

By HERMOGENO DESIGNS

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Dare to Mix Things Up in the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Courageously contrast plantings, materials and structures in your garden to create unexpected beauty and intrigue

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Any Reliable Alternatives to Slate for Indoor & Outdoors?

4

Real quartz or faux?

7

how bad do you think this is? Afraid to ask!

3

Need serious advice please

3

Uneven walls and quartz countertops

9