I am combining 2 apartments in a post war co-op. The apartment does not get great natural light, so I want to makes sure I have adequate lighting throughout. I cannot chop the cement ceiling to install light fixtures, and the ceilings are 8 ft high so dropping the ceiling everywhere is not desirable. I am going to have a fairly large, mostly open living/dining area that will be approximately... [more]
I am combining 2 apartments in a post war co-op. The apartment does not get great natural light, so I want to makes sure I have adequate lighting throughout. I cannot chop the cement ceiling to install light fixtures, and the ceilings are 8 ft high so dropping the ceiling everywhere is not desirable. I am going to have a fairly large, mostly open living/dining area that will be approximately 26x30. There is no ceiling light fixture over where I want to put the dinner table and chandelier.
I am working with an architect and a designer to help with lighting solutions. The architect is suggesting that I drop a "cloud" ceiling over the dinner table so I can install a light fixture. The designer is suggesting that I create 2 pre-war type beams across the living/dining area that I could use to mount lighting fixtures.
If I go with the "cloud" ceiling I could run a track across another part of the living room to give me light. I am just nervous that it will look a little weird, and perhaps too modern for my taste.
If I go with the beams I would lose the track option for the rest of the living room so I would have to mount any other fixtures on the beams. While I think my taste is traditional, I think the beams are a bit more traditional than what I want.
Anyone have any advice? Seen either of these options done anywhere? Do they look weird? Is there another option? Any help is appreciated.
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Response by Wbottom
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 2142
Member since: May 2010
drop the ceiling the only 2" required for new low-profile halogens--this will allow also to install pendant fixtures where desired--agree beams not good idea--would contradict gen'l post war feel and bring ceiling "down" more than a uniform drop of a couple of inchhes
to accentuate what height you have, paint ceiling flat white, and walls white also--if walls colored paint color all the way up, including all surfaces but for the highest horizontal plane--avoid picture/chair molding---wall detail makes wall seem shorter, ceiling lower
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Response by estimator
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 77
Member since: Nov 2011
Try to go with small soffit (beam) and track lights.
Shout me a photo or sketch if you have one so i try to help you from previous projects i worked on.
estimatorr at msn com
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Response by jhochle
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 257
Member since: Mar 2009
A appreciate the feedback.
I would go with the soffit route, but I would really like to have a fixture (chandelier) over the dinner table.
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Response by estimator
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 77
Member since: Nov 2011
One another option is just laminate ceiling with hat channels and GWB which you can lost 1 1/2 " height only.
That gives you space to run your cable and install junction box.
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Response by downtown1234
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 349
Member since: Nov 2007
You could also run the wires under some molding (I think that is the term). If you paint it the same color as the ceiling it isn't so noticeable. Not as elegant as doing behind the ceiling, but it does the job.
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Response by nycsometimes
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 32
Member since: Sep 2011
Check out Wilmette Lighting monorail track for something a little bit more transitional. I am renovating my kitchen and basically had to, in order to stay on budget, stick with track lighting. Generally I am not a fan but I like these: http://www.wilmettelighting.com/Products
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Response by jhochle
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 257
Member since: Mar 2009
I have some painted wire moldings right now, and I think they really look cheap.
Anyone have an opinion on the cloud ceiling versus the beam idea??
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Response by Primer05
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
I have installed the clouds on several projects, for the most part they look good. The biggest problem is that most ceilings in NYC are not level making the cloud look uneven at times. Building a soffit and installing the correct lighting is probably your best bet.
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drop the ceiling the only 2" required for new low-profile halogens--this will allow also to install pendant fixtures where desired--agree beams not good idea--would contradict gen'l post war feel and bring ceiling "down" more than a uniform drop of a couple of inchhes
to accentuate what height you have, paint ceiling flat white, and walls white also--if walls colored paint color all the way up, including all surfaces but for the highest horizontal plane--avoid picture/chair molding---wall detail makes wall seem shorter, ceiling lower
Try to go with small soffit (beam) and track lights.
Shout me a photo or sketch if you have one so i try to help you from previous projects i worked on.
estimatorr at msn com
A appreciate the feedback.
I would go with the soffit route, but I would really like to have a fixture (chandelier) over the dinner table.
One another option is just laminate ceiling with hat channels and GWB which you can lost 1 1/2 " height only.
That gives you space to run your cable and install junction box.
You could also run the wires under some molding (I think that is the term). If you paint it the same color as the ceiling it isn't so noticeable. Not as elegant as doing behind the ceiling, but it does the job.
Check out Wilmette Lighting monorail track for something a little bit more transitional. I am renovating my kitchen and basically had to, in order to stay on budget, stick with track lighting. Generally I am not a fan but I like these: http://www.wilmettelighting.com/Products
I have some painted wire moldings right now, and I think they really look cheap.
Anyone have an opinion on the cloud ceiling versus the beam idea??
I have installed the clouds on several projects, for the most part they look good. The biggest problem is that most ceilings in NYC are not level making the cloud look uneven at times. Building a soffit and installing the correct lighting is probably your best bet.