ELECTRICS - 2ND FIX

For weeks there has been no power in the kitchen - just a series of empty holes where sockets should have been or cables sticking out of walls/ceilings.

 

No electrics & no kitchen

We’ve had to make do with a single socket, extension lead and the builders tripod lights in order to fumble our way round trying to maintain as normal a routine as possible for things such as laundry or washing up.

 

Goodbye old friend

Our sparkie has now returned to do what is termed the ‘2^nd fix’, the final wiring up of power sockets, switches and light fixtures. 

In keeping with the rest of the house, the kitchen’s power sockets and switches are Scolmore ‘Click Deco’ in polished chrome and black obtained online from a company called Switch Lighting.  Look lovely but show up every finger mark so be prepared to continually wipe with your sleeve as you pass by as they won’t remain spotlessly shiny for long. 

 

Scolmore Click Deco supplied by Switch Lighting

There are so many gorgeous lighting fixtures available these days, it’s a devil to pick just one that will be both functional, fashionable and fit in with the overall theme of your kitchen design.  Keeping to the dark side of our kitchen’s colour scheme, I’ve opted for something similar to my old kitchen lights – a trio of modern, black metal shades hanging from a central pendant.

 

Vampsky ceiling chandelier - Amazon

Purchased from Amazon, this light fitting was described as a Vampsky vintage loft ceiling chandelier with black metal shades lined with mirror glass.  

Very glitzy but a fingerprint magnet

The chandelier can be used with those gorgeous old style Edison bulbs although I’ve found that for cooking, those bulbs often don’t provide sufficient light so I’ve used something brighter.

 

Low hanging lights - good for low ceilings

Good for rooms like ours that are lacking in height, this chandelier has a drop of 32 cm which means those of you that are not vertically challenged like I am won’t spend your time dodging the pendants.

 

Ready for our clam chandelier

At last a fitting new home for our old Art Deco wall lights and clam chandelier both of which have been wired up to provide a touch of bygone glamour in our new dining area.  The cardboard template is where our geometric mirror will be fitted once the walls have been painted.

 

Wall papered and ready for lighting

Wall light back plates fitted ready for clam shades

Outside the building, a pair of black exterior wall lanterns to light up what will be the new path linking the patio area to the side of the house and an exterior power socket for the lawn mower.

 

Outside lights fitted

Searchlight Outdoor Wall Bracket

Electrics completed – tick.  Allow a budget somewhere in the region of £1,200 to £1,500 to cover all your electrical needs and don’t forget to include the outside of the building as well when drawing up the specification list for your project.