Let there be (recessed) light

This was a week of plumbers and electricians. Unlike Nelson's workers, who are here at 6:45 every morning, they work more normal hours, arriving around 8 a.m. and working until about 5:00.

Plumbing required zero effort or decision-making on my part. The plans show the appliance locations so that's all the plumbers need to finish the job.

Lighting, on the other hand, was a different story.

Surface mount or recessed lights? If recessed, how many and where? Which switches should control which lights, and where should they be placed? What about outlets--what's the best location? And so on, and so on.

In case you are wondering, yes, it has crossed my mind that I am somewhat challenged in the lighting department.

But with help from Cathee, Kent and Sheila (aka the lighting gurus) and some very patient electricians, I think we have ended up with a good lighting plan. We decided not to hang anything from the Gothic vaulted ceiling, and will instead use cove lighting there in addition to the nearby cans. So, for now, all we need to do is find two pendants for the island.

Just in case we change our minds later, we have wiring roughed into two more places: up above the vault, and also on either side of the two windows facing the garage. If we decide to add more lights down the road, it will be relatively easy.

In other news, we are zeroing in on cabinet color, counters, and even backsplash tile. It looks like Dover White paint, Pan Gold granite, and possibly Calcutta Gold marble subway tile with a beveled edge, which we just found today at Sunderland's, a tile place recommended by my friend Judy. I remembered looking there with her as soon as Doyle and I walked through the door this morning. (And by the way, kudos to Sunderland's for being open on Saturday; many showrooms aren't.)

Best of all, they also carry the elusive brand of floor tile that can be made in a 1x2" herringbone mosaic, to match our front entry tile! I gave Flooring Gallery every chance to get the business, since they sent over the tile guru who got me started in the right direction, but they kept promising quotes and never called me back. Sunderlands, in contrast, sent us home with a quote and a color sample, with marble samples arriving in the mail soon.

It all feels so real! And thanks to good space heaters, the basement kitchen, considerate workers and even warmer weather and some sun, we are actually enjoying the progress.