Let There Be Light

When you are doing an owner/builder project, you need to think long and hard about what portion you, as the owner, are willing to take on. A lot of factors go into this decision, skill being at the very top and cost being next. I don't have any electrical skills. I'm only good picking out the light fixtures and also passing tools and fetching nails. Wiring though, nope I don't think so. Scott has a pretty good knowledge of the subject and fortunately for us, one of our best friends is an Electrician. He very graciously decided to help us out and we couldn't be more grateful. Scott and I both find it very difficult to ask for help. We never want to be an inconvenience or for people to feel obligated in doing something they don't want to. Jason assured us that he was happy to help and has been an invaluable part of this project.

Sadly I did not take any photos of Jay and Scott working but I wanted to give him the shout out he deserves. Jason, thank you so much for giving up your free time to help us out. Mandy, thanks to you also. We know how hard it is to give up time with each other when everyone is so busy. We can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate you both.

Scott and I started by installing all the light and outlet boxes. It was cold and dark on the day we did this which made the job a little complicated but we managed. Also, did I mention that the stairs we not in yet so we had to carry all the tools, some very heavy, up a ladder as well as hoist another ladder to the second floor. This scenario was not ideal for my fear of heights anxiety level and I'm pretty sure one misstep and I could have died. Maybe not but scary nonetheless.

A very small sampling of the boxes that were put into this house. I never realized how many supplies are needed to light and power a home.

See? Cold and dark.

After we installed all the boxes, Jason came back and he and Scott ran all the wire. They finished the entire lower level in a few hours. The second floor still needs to be wired but the holidays have a way of shifting stuff to the back burner. We aren't in any hurry either. And it's like -2 degrees outside. That makes for a inhospitable work environment.

And now we have stairs! So much safer than a ladder.

I've also ordered my first light fixtures. I've been watching them for almost a year now and when I saw them hit the lowest price I've seen yet, I jumped on them. They arrived last week and they are going to shine in the main floor and upstairs hallways. I can always count on Wayfair and Joss and Main to have exactly what I'm looking for at prices I'm willing to pay.

Lighting fixtures have to be one of my favorite things to plan. I've only ordered these so far but I have a pretty good idea of fixtures I want to use for the entire house, including one I bought for the dining room at a thrift store for $11. If my makeover turns out how I hope it will, that $11 fixture will look like a million bucks. Stay tuned!