Lucky for us, it was pretty straightforward. Well, mostly.
First, we took down the existing light fixtures (no worries, they aren't going to waste - we have some big plans in store for them).
Next, we took our first track lighting fixture that was in the kitchen (back before we realized that our kitchen lacked an AC vent... oops) and simply installed it in the basement.
We bought an identical fixture at Lowe's and installed it at the other end. Instant... well, light. Bright, eye-blinding light.

Not exactly the ambiance we were looking for for our Superbowl Party.
Enter our friend the dimmer switch.
Only this time we were installing a double dimmer switch. Ooooh, ahhhhh.
Apparently, however, they don't make dimmer switches double-dimmer compatible.
Oops. And here we thought this would be another easy project... you'd think we'd have learned by now!
So, after a few choice words and some dark-humored chuckles heard from the basement (I was upstairs cooking), Tom employed our patented technique for all new projects that don't install according to the instructions:
He rigged it.
Yessiree bob, and this time he didn't even pause to consider or ask if he should (because by this time he knew my work theory: if it didn't work, we would make it work!).
Apparently some things you just have to break first to get them to work.
So after a few more laughs from the depths of the basement, a few crunches and snaps, followed by more chuckles, I finally heard a triumphant "Yes!".
And incredibly, the new lights work! They add instant ambiance, are perfect for any situation (since they're dimmable), and really make the basement shine.

OOh, I love the wide plank bead board stuff on the bar! And that red "M" is great too. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI am super interesting in learning how your hubby rigged the light fixtures to dim together. Don't you just love how intuitive boys can be? It's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! I'm interested in learning how he did it, too! I'm pretty sure it involves breaking the dimmer switches somehow, but that's about all I know about this project! And I totally love how intuitive boys can be, too! :)
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