by Debra on Saturday, November 21, 2009
My older ranch style house had a tray ceiling hiding in the kitchen. After my ceiling remodel I had a few options for Tray Ceiling Lighting.
Under all the tacky plastic and wood lattice dropped ceiling were 6 huge florescent lights. Granted the kitchen area was full of artificial light… but the dated fixture helped keep this kitchen dated and drab.
The ceiling fan had oak blades with wicker caning inserts and brushed brash accents. Ugly…
After ripping down all the light fixtures and the ceiling fan… I could see how big the tray ceiling was. I “wished” out loud that the “tray” was slightly larger.
Be careful what you wish for! Ha… Next thing I know my contractor was digging into the ceiling to see how much larger he could go without affecting the critical house supports.
As luck would have it… we could tear out some of the ceiling so that the drop matched up with the other architecture of the kitchen area.
Visually this made the room seem taller and larger. We had already started to choose the location of the can lighting… so now the design had to be entirely changed.
Plus… wiring needed to be stretched to fit into the new space without adding junction boxes. It’s all a logistical nightmare and I was happy that it was someone else’s job to figure it out.
I am certainly the idea girl – NOT the detail person. :0)
Plus – for another added stress test… I wanted my old antique iron chandelier hanging in the tray ceiling.
We have a mobile island at this time. The island is a butcher block topped open shelving unit on casters… so I don’t have to worry about exact placement to co-ordinate with centering on an island.
The addition of crown molding was exactly the right finishing touch. The entire ceiling is painted the same light color… but I might follow my own suggestion: Tips For Painting A Tray Ceiling.
7 can lights are on a dimmer with the chandelier on a separate switch.
We found the “curly” energy efficiet light bulbs in the can lights worked really well for light and they are now available in a dimming format.
The kitchen does look more modern now. I do still have the old Formica counter and dated appliances… but I’m taking all my remodeling in baby steps.
At least the Tray Ceiling Lighting worked out perfectly.
UPDATE: Charlene sent in a picture of her tray ceiling remodel:
I did the very same thing to my kitchen in a house that we recently sold.
It was an older house and I did not want to spend a lot of money on it but the ceiling was too low!
We tore out the lights and put white bead board on the top with the canned lights and a pot rack. I attached
A picture that is not really good but you can see I had the same scenario.
I really love the Country French Look in this kitchen. By raising the ceiling – you had room for that great pot-rack which just gives the entire room it’s focal point! Love this… thanks for sharing.
UPDATE:
Captain Drywal sent my a comment with a picture:
I had indirect lighting in my kitchen (dated of course) so i removed the old and put in the new. Instead of wood trim i used radius curved corner beard on the edges. —NO laughing at the red cabinets, sometimes you have to try bold.
Love the wood edge on your tray ceiling.
It looks clean and “finished”!
The red and white cabinets with the yellow walls look bright and fun!
The light fixture is an unexpected addition… It looks like it would give great task lighting.
Thanks for sharing!
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by Debra on Wednesday, October 14, 2009
What’s the best choice in kitchen sinks? Should you install a top mounted sink or an under mounted sink?
Up until a few years ago – we only had one choice in sinks – all sinks were top mounted. We could choose from stainless steel, porcelain or cast iron. Remember the first time you saw a cobalt blue sink in a design magazine? It was probably a top mounted sink.
Top Mounted Sinks
A top mounted sink is installed in the counter with a lip that hangs over the counter to hold it in place. They are easy to install because the faucet holes are already in place. You can install the faucets and drain “stuff” right to the sink before it’s even installed on the counter.
Sink manufacturers provide the installer with a template. The idea is to just cut a hole in the counter using the template as a guide and drop in the sink. Easy!
The plus side of a top mounted sink is they are cheap to install and they come in more styles. Top mount sinks are easier to replace but the edge of the sink is difficult to keep clean. The grout or sealer often needs to replaced because 
dirt and food particles collect and can’t be easily wiped away.
The new style of vessel sinks are also called top mounted sinks… but that’s a different story. 
Under Mounted Sinks
Under mounted sinks give a more modern – clean lined look. If you have a traditional style kitchen choose a top mount sink… a stainless undermount sink will look to sleek.
The faucets are mounted in the counter top material so your choice of styles will be limited.
If you are looking for ways to cut the budget in a kitchen remodel… a top mount sink is the way to go.
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by Debra on Thursday, September 3, 2009
Ta Da! I finally finished (almost) redecorating one room in the house. Geeesh… what a project! We did scrape the ceiling, added 4 recessed lights and changed out that awful white ceiling fan. Yes – That black square on the wall ( next to the bed) is a flat screen TV. The white cord cover still needs to be painted.
I think I might like crown molding in this room… someday. For now – it’s Done!
My assistant hung all the decorator stuff on the walls. Having someone else look at your piles of “stuff” gives everything new outlook. I didn’t buy anything new for the walls in this room.
I’ll give you a little tour of the room and if I purchased something recently… I’ll show you where I got it.
The before pictures are quite hideous… I had no idea I hated the wall color of this room so much.
This project started with a new iron bed and the comforter set. Both were purchased 3 years ago (along with a new pillow top mattress set and carpet). I waited way too long to finish this room.
I found 2 similar comforter sets at J C Penny’s:
Red Comforter Set
Red Floral Comforter Set
I made the wall to wall cornice and covered it with an embroidered curtain from Target.
Floral Red Drapes
The lamps were a steal at Target… they are black with a pale gray wash to highlight the carved texture. Of course the shades were extra… Target had these as well. The lamp shades are the same texture as the fake – faux silk drapes – just a slightly different color.
Black Table Lamp
Fake Silk Drapes
These reddish mahogany colored blinds come from Home Depot. I found them at Smith+Noble for 3 x the price. The blinds from Home Depot are Not lined – so I used a block out roller shade underneath. The glow that is cast in the room during the day is amazing. (I’m going to use the same treatment in my Master Bedroom – can’t wait)!
Dark Red Bamboo Blind
I wanted bookcase style side tables in the guest room. I think drawers in a guest room next to the bed are creepy. I’m always afraid of what I might find. These tables leave plenty of room for drinking glass, reading glasses, clock, books and the lamp.
I found a table similar to this at Target… but much smaller. Then I scoped these tables out for about the same price at Pier One. Pier One is turning out to be one of my new favorite stores.
Black Side Table
The other side of the room is a bit of “nic-nac” heaven. The desk is cluttered looking – Now that I see the picture… and I want plenty of room for guest to set down “stuff”.
The travel theme isn’t really obvious… it just gave me an excuse to hang all the art I’ve purchased when traveling.
These two storage ottomans are a “Best Buy”. Walmart gives these away compared to other stores. The faux leather has a nice finished look and the saddle stitching is perfect. These two stools give my guests a place to sit and put shoes on without having to cram a chair into the corner.
The beaded tassel hanging from the ceiling fan is actually a Christmas ornament. I have found a ton of beaded items in the import stores during the holiday decorating season… that I use all year.
A small mirror is all that is needed in a guest room… who cares about pantie lines when you’re on vacation.
Brown Storage Ottoman
If you have any thoughts or suggestions about my re-decorated guest room – leave a comment below.
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