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Home & Design: Interior Motives
by JOSEPH RICE
2004-02-04

This article shared 2029 times since Wed Feb 4, 2004
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Dear Joe,

I have created a gallery of photos in the livingroom of my apartment. Track lighting seems to be the logical choice to light the collection, but I don't know what to buy. There is a ceiling light in the center of the room. Will I be able to use that wiring? Is that the right place to put the track? Thanks.

Roger

Dear Roger,

Hmmm … maybe what they say about gay men and track lighting is true.

There are hundreds of choices for track lighting on the market. Unfortunately, this creates hundreds of questions on what system is the best to use in each installation.

First of all, the best place to mount the track (in a room with an eight-foot ceiling) is about two feet from the wall. This way the light is directed on the subjects to be featured without much spillover. If you own your own home (and are willing to go to the expense), the wiring can be fed to the appropriate spot from another junction box in the room.

If you are in a rented space, or do not want to go through the trouble and expense to do this, there are other options. I would avoid track systems that plug into an outlet, or installations where the wire has to be run to a distant junction box and covered with conduit. It just looks bad. In your case, the track can be mounted at the junction box in the center of the room. This will not give the same concentration of light on the photos that you would get with a mounting closer to the wall, but you will create a wash of 'accent' lighting.

A salesperson at any lighting store should be able to put a track lighting system together for you. The key point is to be very specific in explaining what you are trying to do and where the track is being installed. There are countless choices of systems and different components for each. These include types of lights, center or end mount brackets for the junction box, and all sorts of track connector pieces. Also, some systems require special electrical wiring that may not be an option for your particular installation. Don't overlook any details and check all of the components very carefully before you leave the store to be sure that you have the right parts.

Many different styles of lights are available. In your particular case it will be best to select one in which the light bulb is recessed in the fixture. By choosing this type and directing it to the walls, you will not have glare in people's eyes.

Your next question will be how many lights to buy. The lighting salesperson will be able to tell you the maximum number of lamps that the track will hold. After that, the choice is up to you. It is good to keep in mind that the lighting should be subtle and not jarring. With this in mind, it is a good idea to install a dimmer switch for the track. The great thing about track lighting is that you can always add more fixtures if needed. Also note that these fixtures are not interchangeable between manufacturers.

Installing a track system of incandescent lights is much the same as putting up any light fixture. You may be able to do this yourself if you have enough experience and confidence. Halogen lighting systems can be more complicated and are probably best installed by a professional electrician.

Dear Joe,

My livingroom has three windows. Each one is a different height; 82 inches, 85 inches, and 79 inches. Currently there are mini blinds in the windows. This different height thing bothers me but I don't know what to do. A friend of mine says that I'm just being too anal about it. What do you think? Is there any solution?

Vertically Challenged

Dear Challenged,

I have to side with you on this one. It always bothers me to walk into a room and see the windows at different heights. I find this all of the time in my work. Sometimes this happens through renovations on older buildings. What I can't understand is why builders let this happen on new construction!

My first impulse in this situation is to try to visually unite all of the windows. This is because it really is distracting to have the eye jumping up and down on an architectural feature that should follow one horizontal line.

Because this is so common a problem with my clients, I have developed several 'slight of hand' tricks over the years to camouflage or at least minimize the situation. Here are two of my solutions that could work for you.

The first way to 'even the score' would be to put up a valance or cornice on each window. These would all be of the same depth and hung at the same height. Obviously they would have to be deep enough to cover the difference between the windows, allowing at least a few inches below the trim on the lowest of them. Draperies can be added to complete this treatment.

Another solution is to simply hang draperies on each of the windows, all at the same height. For example, all of the draperies could be 87 inches long. It won't completely mask the problem, but could help minimize it.

E-mail jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in "WCT Design" Rice in an interior designer who offers full decorating services. With 22 years of experience, he specializes in 'hard to treat' windows. Contact Joseph Rice Interiors , Inc. at (773) 271-2361


This article shared 2029 times since Wed Feb 4, 2004
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