Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Dec 28, 2008 10:14 am We wanted some feature lights in our new home, including some pendants, but didn't like the builder's price for upgrading electricals. So we opted to have batten-fix lights installed in the positions where we wanted our indoor feature lights, and junction boxes outdoors.
Of course, our budget is a bit limited, because there are so many things it has to stretch to cover (floor coverings, blinds, paving, landscaping, and so on), so I was resigned to living with Chinaman's hats for a while. BUT... then we found a range of DIY light fittings at Bunnings, and were able to do this without the need for an electrician: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Total cost was around $230. Re: DIY feature lighting 5Dec 28, 2008 9:34 pm We love those pendant lights Kek. However, what we have in the preliminary electrical plan are only downlights. If we would install one of those how do we tell the builder of the variation so we can DIY later? I guess there would be no point of having downlights and pendant lights even if there would be different switch. Thanks. Re: DIY feature lighting 6Dec 29, 2008 6:06 am They look great, another thing off the list!
enzo We love those pendant lights Kek. However, what we have in the preliminary electrical plan are only downlights. If we would install one of those how do we tell the builder of the variation so we can DIY later? I guess there would be no point of having downlights and pendant lights even if there would be different switch. Thanks. You would want just a standard light fitting (batten) where you would like to place a DIY pendant in the future. Re: DIY feature lighting 7Dec 29, 2008 6:30 pm Enzo, it's definitely easier to plan for feature lights while the house is being built.
We knew we wanted pendants over the kitchen bench, so had 3 battens installed there, and downlights in the rest of the room. We did the same with the central dining area light, one light in our retreat and a couple of wall lights either side of our ensuite mirror. We plan to have trapeze lighting between two bulkheads in our lounge too, so we've had a junction box installed behind one of the bulkheads. They are all on separate switches to the main downlights in those rooms, so we can have either or both turned on. You basically just need to decide where you want your feature lights and then talk to your builder about changes to the plan. If you replace a downlight with a batten, you should get a credit. If it's in addition to existing downlights, then obviously it will cost you. Make sure you consider exterior lighting too.....junction boxes can be added to outside walls and lights fitted later. If you're not sure exactly what you want, go cruise around lighting stores, display homes, and don't forget the electrical department at Bunnings - they have a surprising range of DIY fittings there, including modern track lighting, which could work really well above a bench. Re: DIY feature lighting 8Dec 29, 2008 11:51 pm Thanks for this post Kek!
I didn't really think of investigating the DIY batten fix lighting. I came by this which I think would look great in a modern kitchen. http://preview.tinyurl.com/a52lbf (Sorry for the tinyurl, this forum does not like spaces in the URL for some reason) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ or even putting 2 of the 2 light ones in running in an L shape over the bench space! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Maybe now Porter Davis will not be getting so much money from me after all and perhaps time for a trip down to beacon lighting. Re: DIY feature lighting 11Feb 17, 2009 2:15 pm Kek - your lights over your bench, do all three have their own switch or are they on the one switch? 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: DIY feature lighting 12Feb 25, 2009 1:42 pm This is a fantastic idea and I think I will consider pendants for my kitchen.
Do you think it would look funny having pendant lights (2) that were just kinda in the middle of the room, not actually over anything? I will pop into Bunnings tonight and check these out! Assuming the structure of your cabinetry is good then I would DIY everything as follows: - replace your counter tops entirely, - replace all drawer runners with soft close… 1 4784 Re my second point – yes exactly. And often it may take additional time if the manufacturer recommends no more than X meters… 3 5652 |