We usually use the Memorial Day or Labor Day 3 day weekends to tackle
a DIY home improvement project. This year the project was installing
new pendant lights over the bar to improve the lighting in the
kitchen. Not the most laborious project, but maybe still the most
challenging yet because there were no fixtures there to start with, no
attic space above the celing, and I haven't had good experiences with
drywall patching in the past.
The plan was to run a line from our existing main light fixture in the
kitchen across to the bar and connect 3 pendant lights to that line.
I started by using a hole saw to cut the 3 holes for the ceiling
fixture boxes, with the first one being directly across from the light
fixture that we needed to run the line from. Then, with the help of a
friend and a very handy 54" flexible drill bit designed for drilling
inside finished walls, we drilled through the floor joists and were
able to string the line through with just one access hole cut halfway
in between. With that line in place, it was pretty easy to just chain
together the light fixtures, down the lenght of the bar, with the only
obstacle being poorly designed mounting hardware for the fixtures
themselves, go figure.
Patching up the access hole cut in the ceiling was easier than I
anticipated, thanks to sheetrock clips and the fact that the ceiling
is textured. I screwed the panel back into place, spread a little
joint cement on it and sprayed on some texture. With a coat of paint,
the evidence is barely visible.
Photos of the finished results are below, but you'll notice there are
only 2 pendants, whereas I've mentioned 3 up to this point. After
completing the installation, Lindsay decided 3 lights were too crowded
and just 2 would look better. So back up on the ladder, a little
re-wiring and more patching and then we have the finished results:
Saturday, May 23, 2009
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