Renovation Diary: Design Elements

—Remodelista—

I woke up this morning before the alarm went off with a dreadful feeling that I’m making a mistake with the lighting over the sideboard — specifically the plan to use the extra pendant there. I’d purchased four to go over the island, when it was an island, but now I’m only using three since the wall became partially closed again. They’re custom, and can’t be returned, hence the idea to use the extra one over the sideboard. I thought perhaps it would tie in the design of the two rooms. But I woke up realizing that it will hang too low and will obscure the artwork that I plan to hang there. Also, it’s a downlight that won't illuminate the sculpture that I’m going to put on the sideboard either. What I really need there is a "wall wash."

I know very little about lighting. What I do know was gleaned from this very helpful article on Remodelista. — 5 Things to Know About Recessed Lighting — and perusing discussions about lighting on Houzz, many of them several years old. Mind you, I don't really wish to know more. I just want to know enough to make a decision.

In the photo above your eye is drawn to three rather lackluster houseplants and a middling framed photo of water or sand or somesuch. The artwork isn't even stellar, but your eye is drawn to it. That's the effect of a wall wash. And that is what I want over my sideboard.

I got out my measuring tape and took a look at the hole the electrician had punched above the sideboard and I could see that it isn’t quite right for the pendant anyway. The sideboard is made of 15” deep cabinets, so centered would be 7-1/2” from the wall. It looks like he’s got it about 24” or more out. I texted Aleks.

Later in the day I got an email back from him with status on the job and he mentioned that there’s not enough cable for the pendant to go closer. I texted back with a link to a gimbal (wall wash) that I like and he gave it a thumbs up. I’ll buy it tomorrow when I’m working in Manhattan.

Even after cleaning up, everything we touch is coated in a film of dust, and there’s the alkaline taste of lime dust in my morning coffee. I heat up some homemade soup (thank you, Instant Pot) and retreat to the bedroom after work.

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