The ceiling project will install recessed lighting over
the stove area, sink area, and hanging lights over the bar area. The
existing lighting in the center of the ceiling will be removed and a tiered
recess will be built three
feet deep into the ceiling. I work on this project only a couple hours
a day.
Phase One
Recessed lighting
over the stove area. |
Cut-outs mark suggested spots for the lights.
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This is the existing light that will be removed
and turned into a tiered recess.
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First challenge was to get around a firebreak in
the wall to access the existing switch box. Intent is
to add a switch for the recessed lights while retaining the switch
for the hidden light over the oven. Will be running wires to
room over kitchen. Had
to cut hole in back wall of cabinets, cut out a portion of the firebreak
(actually a floor and sill plate for ceiling extension from lower
apartment) and feed wire down to switch.
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This is the switch and box under the cabinet I'm trying to reach.
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Upstairs in the room over the kitchen, I have to remove the sub-flooring
to access the ceiling cavity and run wiring.
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Because the flooring was installed as tongue and
groove, I had to strip the tongue from the first piece so I could
lift it.
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A bundle of wires from the fuse boxes across the hallway was exposed.
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I found another "firebreak" beneath the first one and
had to exit the wall in the lower hallway, cut out a channel and
run the wire around and back into the wall above the sink in the
kitchen and into the switch box.
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This is the wire coming around the first "firebreak" down
to the picture you see above.
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Back upstairs I install Insulation Contact (IC) boxes to hold
the lights. IC boxes are needed due to the heat the lights
give off.
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Holes drilled into the joists allow me to run the wire to each
IC box.
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The holes are in the ceiling ready for the lights.
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A new switch allows control of the recessed AND hidden lights.
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And with the lights installed, wired, and ready...it looks like
this. Phase One done.
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Phase Two
Feeding
to bar area, preparing for dome lighting and sink recessed lighting.
A
busy day with little to show. Running wires in wall takes time when done alone. |
This is the switch box hole that will eventually house the switch
that controls the dome lighting.
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At the end of the day I was able to finally run wires to the two
box holes that will support hanging lighting over the bar.
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I had to feed wires to this box for the switch...a most difficult
endeavor.
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It required another cut into the back of the cabinets to access
and feed wire into the box below. It was like threading a needle
from ten feet away.
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At any rate, it is taking shape. The left lights are in, the
holes for bar lights are in, the placement for the sink recessed
lights are in place, and the switchbox hole by the refrigerator
is ready for the tiered recess lighting wires.
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Phase 3
Recessed lights over sink and boxes for lights over bar.
A more relaxed working day. Didn't have to run wires in the wall. |
Cut holes for recessed lights over sink area.
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Opened existing lighting to access power for new lights.
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Installed boxes in ceiling cavity for new lights. Had to work around duct.
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Ran wiring for new lights using existing 3-way supply to florescent
lights.  |
Closed up boxes.  |
Installed support bars and boxes for lights over bar.  |
Angle view of new lights.
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Head on view of new lights.
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View of upgraded lighting so far.
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Phase 4
Additional recessed light added to Phase One work. Closed
up floor above ceiling and
reinstalled bench framework. Removed trim from ceiling light cavity in preparation
for working tiered recess in ceiling. |
Added new box for additional recessed light.
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Cut hole in ceiling.
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Added light.
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Replaced flooring and bench framework.
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Removed old lighting fixtures from cavity.
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Removed trim around cavity
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Phase
5
Ran last of wires through wall. Removed flooring over dome area.
Went for 2x4 supply. Finished switch connection for tiered recess
lighting. |
A little cut upon my thumb
Has made me feel a little dumb
I try to do things every day
But cut up thumb gets in the way
I can't believe how I deride
The little cut on thumb's right
side
I find I can't use spacebar now
Because the thumb hurts - whew - and
how
I guess I'll have to labor - sure
It's just a thing of job du jour
But I shall try to never more
Cut into thumb and make it sore.
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Into the attic to run wires for dome lights to wall by refrigerator.
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Bringing wires into room then under floor. This section is
enclosed and the wires will be hidden.  |
Bringing the wires for dome lighting up where connectioin will be
made.  |
Down in kitchen where switches will be.  |
Removing the flooring where tiered recess will go.
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View from above. Side supports to be removed but will leave
center beam in for now as a safety thing. Something to grab when
I fall through the hole.  |
View from entry to upper room.  |
Coming home with 2x4s to build framework for tiered recess.
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2x4s in upper room ready for cutting and placing.
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Completed tiered recess switching by refrigerator. A
real pain in the butt.
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Phase 6
Build tiered recess framework.
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| Basic box frame to begin with. This is the shell within which
all else will be constructed.  |
A view from the kitchen. 
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| Beginning the tiered framework. 
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Looking down into kitchen. There are three levels of tiers . One
is four feet square, the next higher is 3 feet square, and the highest
will be two feet square. 
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A wide angle view from the kitchen.
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A closer view from the kitchen. Tier one
is 12 inches high and 6 inches wide; tier two is 10 inches high and
6 inches wide; and tier three is 8 inches high and 6 inches wide. When
dry wall is in place, the tiers will be much more visible.
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Finished light switch for hanging light over bar.
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Phase
7
Install furring strips and drywall for first two tiers. Until
Donna decides on lighting for recessed ceiling, final tier will
have to wait. Project now on temporary hold until lighting
decisions.
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Preparing to cut furring strips. These give drywall something
to hang onto.
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Furring strips cut and ready for installation.
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Furring strips in place.
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Additional furring strips. We're good to go now with the drywall.
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Getting ready to cut drywall to size.
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First tier sidewalls installed. I used screws throughout - in the
frame and with the drywall. No nails anywhere in the construction.
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First two tieers finished. Looking from breakfast area.
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Closer look at the two tiers. Hole in top is third tier awaiting
lighting decision.
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Close up kitchen view of two tiers. Each tier will be textured and
probably painted with differing colors.
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Upper room view of structure - again.
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Looking down into kitchen.
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View with top tier completed.
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Closer look.
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Straigt on Look. Next is the light fixtures and spackling
etc. Then paint etc and done.
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Phase 8
Plans changed a little and we decided on bullnose edges instead
of the normal 90 degree edging. I had to purchase supplies
then remove 1/2 inch of the lower edge of the installed drywall
so the bullnose would fit. Finally finished the work - first
picture. Remainder of pictures will cover the spackling
effort. |
The bullnose edges in place and ready for spackling. Took
four hours to remove excess drywall and miter edging and install.
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First coat of spackling applied.
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Closer look at first spackling coat.
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Final spackling coat. Ready for paint and decoration.
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Bar lights finally installed.
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A different look at the lights.
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Phase
9 (The Last)
Install carpet in upstairs room, texture ceiling tiers, paint. |
The reverse side of carpet in garage. Cutting to fit the upstairs
room beginning.
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The carpet installed in upstairs room.
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Rope lighting installed and viewed at night.
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