1 The concealed ceiling lighting as you come into the apartment. As you can see, it's pretty harsh.
2 I'm thinking about maybe installing some sconces here in place of the overhead lighting. I also want to install dimmers on all the wall switches to really control the light levels in every room.
3 A close up view of the concealed ceiling lighting in the entry hall. The living room also has this style of lighting. I think it will really distract from the nighttime views.
4 The living room is equipped with floor outlets for lamps although I'm not sure I want lamps in the living room because you will see their reflections in the windows at night.
5 The wall switch in the dining room has both motorized shade and light controls for the dining room and living room. Lutron (www.lutron.com) makes a great selection of dimmer switches. I know I will definitely be adding some here.
6 This is the current lighting situation in my dining room. I love the industrial look but this may be too literal.
7 The kitchen has under cabinet lighting as well as some recessed lighting overhead.
8 I do like how it illuminates the work areas nicely.
9 My cooktop. It's easy to see what's cooking.
10 Although right now, it's mostly take out.
11 The powder room has built in lighting behind the medicine cabinet mirror.
12 The front door has a strip of lighting in the glass panel next to it. I like the effect it gives and often use it as night light.
13 The hallway leading to the master bedroom. It contains two walk in closets, the master bathroom and a reach in closet.
14 Again, the same lighting situation as the entry hall and living room areas.
15 The closet lighting is so minimal. I'm sure once it's filled with clothes, it would be difficult to see in here.
16 The lighting in the reach in closet. Not really what I had in mind.
17 The master bathroom lighting. Built in lighting behind the mirror and also recessed overhead lighting.
18 I actually like the lighting in the bathrooms.
19 It's nice to just turn these on and leave the overhead lighting off, especially on trips to the bathroom during the night. A lot less squinting.
20 An accent light in my bathtub. Do you hear a fog horn in the distance?
21 Bob Tobin, my contractor, talks me down from an intense discussion on lighting.
22 The bedroom has no installed lighting at the moment. I really want to have sconces in here though for reading when I move my bed.
Since my post a few weeks ago on bedside lighting, I have been considering the existing lighting in my own apartment. Although the apartment has walls of windows and gets amazing light throughout the day, I need to start thinking about the types of lighting I want to have in each room. I don't want the lighting or fixtures to become intrusive or distract from the views in any way, especially at night. Right now the existing lighting is pretty minimal, as you will see in the photos. I set up a meeting with my contractor, Bob Tobin of BC Interiors , to talk about some of my options. Together, I'm sure we will come up with some great lighting solutions for my apartment.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Wanda | 10/6/09 at 10:59 am
"Bob Tobin, my contractor, talks me down from an intense discussion on lighting."
Verry Funny, Kevin. I love the soft lighting in the bathroom. I create the same effect in my bathroom with a dimmer switch. We don't always need enough light in the bathroom to operate in, do we? Dimmers are the best thing going, in my opinion. I even have one in my kitchen!
From: Lincoln | 10/7/09 at 3:47 pm
Hi Kevin, the gallery isn't appearing with this entry. Drats!
A related lighting question for you: Are your lighting choices limited by whether you own the apartment or not? I would be interested to learn what kind of options there are for lighting if you are unable to alter the living space "permanently"?
From: judy lake | 10/8/09 at 10:05 am
Hey Kevin,
I agree with you, some wall scones will really warm up your hallway. Let me know if you want some custom shades. I can use your fabrics in lots of shapes.
Apartment looks great.
judy lake
From: Bob Tobin | 10/16/09 at 8:31 pm
Hi Kevin,
I am glad to be your contractor, I like this blog you set up I will keep tuned in, oh and the therapy is always free.
Happy to help, Bob Tobin
From: Jason Electric | 10/8/10 at 6:24 am
I have dimmers in my flat which I find prefect so that could be an idea for you. I really like your lights under the kitchen units, I hope I'm able to have something similar done soon.