Let There Be Light!

My pendant lights are installed!

Finally! On Monday I was able to get an electrician to come out and install the lights that I posted about a while ago. I originally started thinking about this project in 2010. I even had an electrician give me a price quote before I had a financial set back and ended up putting the project on hold.

In the process...

I already had the light fixtures, but since there weren't already lights over my bar area I had to have an electrician install the wiring. What surprised me was how hard it was to pin down an electrician! With all the complaints about the economy I thought finding someone to do a job right before the holidays would be pretty easy. However, I wanted to use someone that was recommended so I wouldn't worry about safety or the quality of the work.

I called the company that gave me a price quote back in 2010, but after talking to the receptionist twice and never getting a call back I moved on.

The second electrician I spoke to sounded interested, then I never heard back from him. Even after calling and leaving another voicemail. I finally found an electrician who was able to come out Monday morning (which was perfect since I already had the day off).

They drilled holes from the attic for the wiring and made a second double switch where the light switch for my kitchen is.

The guys were really careful to make as little mess as they could and by the time they left I think my kitchen was cleaner than when they arrived!

Something that I hadn't considered until my electrician, Jason Camp, asked was buying light bulbs for the new fixtures. Luckily he had some that fit. He said that it happens all the time; he'll finish installing 100 light fixtures and there won't be a single bulb for any of them. Light bulbs were especially important because he needed to test that the wiring was connected correctly. And as it turned out one of the wires on the middle light actually came loose so the light didn't work when he checked it. He had to take the housing off again and reconnect the wire.

See how the one on the end looks orange?

Interestingly, the light on the end closest to the wall turns orange once the lights are on. When the lights are off all the shades appear the same color of red. I'm not sure what causes the different color, but I'm debating moving it to the middle so it doesn't look as awkward.

Do you think it looks strange?

I'm so excited to finally get this project checked off my list. Not only do I now have beautiful lighting over my bar (an area that didn't get much light), but the cabinet where I was storing the glass pendant lights and light kits is now freed up for other storage!

I went ahead and rearranged the cabinets and cleaned up my laundry room Sunday evening after taking everything out for the electrician. I was amazed by how much space I had. The lights take up a lot less room hanging over the bar then they did in storage.

What do you think? Doesn't the pop of color add to the space?

A Perfect Accent

I mentioned in a previous post that I bought the lights for my bar area. Beautiful red glass globes, they will set off my kitchen perfectly! At that time, however, I was still looking for an electrician. Last week I got a couple of recommendations and took the first step to getting this project finished--I called them.

Out of the three electricians I called only one returned my call and we met at my house on Monday for him to see the area and give me a price quote. The company I've decided to use is Elite Electric in Broken Arrow. I chose them partly because they were recommended by a friend, but mostly because I work on the theory that a company that doesn't have my business yet, but doesn't even bother to return my call is probably a company I don't want to do business with anyway. Elite Electric called me back the same day I called them.

Here's what I learned when I met with Terry from Elite Electric: 

• My rafters run from east to west. This might cause some complications when they are spacing the pendant lights, but Terry promised they'll make sure the lights are evenly spaced.
• I need to buy the entire light fixture ahead of time (right now I just have the glass globes) so they know whether the lights will be high or low "impact." I gather that this will make a difference as to the type of power box they install for the lights to connect with.
• It will be easier to put the light switch next to the switches already installed. Mainly because the other wall near the bar is an exterior wall and has more insulation.
• This project should only take an electrician about three hours. Elite Electric charges $70/hr. I was considering having them just set up the wiring and then Dad and I installing the lights. That would save me approximately $35, which I don't think is worth the hassle.
• The electrician can come over before I leave for work and I don't need to stay. That might be because my brother will probably still be here though. It will be awesome if I don't need to take the day off work to get this done though.

I was very impressed overall. Terry arrived early, before I even made it home from lunch. He said he could have someone out by next week, but I plan to wait until after the holidays. I don't want to mess with having a big project in my kitchen/living space while all my decorations are up and my schedule is so hectic.

Speaking of decorations, I know I've promised pictures. Unfortunately I'm still not finished getting everything set up. Everything is looking awesome though!