Rope-light 'tray' or soffit pics/ideas

[thefed]

While we were in Vegas, I really liked the ceiling design in our bathroom at the hotel...it was a 'recessed' ceiling if that makes sense...not sure what they call it...but essentially a 1 ft wide soffit running around the whole room and then in the middle it's still 8ft high.

I am considering something like that OR maybe a 'rope light' tray (crown molding?) or similar to add some architectural/lighting intrigue to our new bathroom

any ideas/pictures of this in your own home?

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefed While we were in Vegas, I really liked the ceiling design in our bathroom at the hotel...it was a 'recessed' ceiling if that makes sense...not sure what they call it...but essentially a 1 ft wide soffit running around the whole room and then in the middle it's still 8ft high. I am considering something like that OR maybe a 'rope light' tray (crown molding?) or similar to add some architectural/lighting intrigue to our new bathroom any ideas/pictures of this in your own home?

I wish you'd told me, we ripped out all the soffits in our kitchen to gain another foot of wall cabs. I could have sent you our soffits!

Our bathrooms still have the soffits over the sink and tub. I don't know why--I guess to add interest.

In hotels I think they have this detail primarily as a practical measure--to provide room for the drain traps from the toilet and tub stacked above.

Maybe build a small wood " __| " shaped piece around the wall about a foot down drom the ceiling and put a florescent strip light inside? It would provide indirect lighting washing across the ceiling.

If you get the rope lights, see if they make LED models. The incandescent ones use quite a bit of electricity for the light they make. Plus, the LEDs will last a lot longer, and changing out the rope light is something you won't want to do very often.

[Janet H]

They do make LED rope lights. We recently used them for some above cabinet lighting in a kitchen redo and have been really pleased with the result however in our installation the ropes can't be seen, just the reflected light.

You can buy the stuff wholesale online along with all the parts to make custom runs of lights. Do some shopping...

[Goonie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by samclem .....If you get the rope lights, see if they make LED models. The incandescent ones use quite a bit of electricity for the light they make. Plus, the LEDs will last a lot longer, and changing out the rope light is something you won't want to do very often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet H They do make LED rope lights. We recently used them for some above cabinet lighting in a kitchen redo and have been really pleased with the result however in our installation the ropes can't be seen, just the reflected light. You can buy the stuff wholesale online along with all the parts to make custom runs of lights. Do some shopping...

And the LED rope lights stay much cooler too! I have one incandescent rope light, and it gets fairly warm when lit. And I have some LED rope lights and they stay nice and cool when lit.

You might be able to find some good deals on the LED rope lights at this time of year. Our local hardware store had ALL of their Christmas lighting product on sale for dirt-cheap just to get rid of them so they wouldn't have to store them 'til next Christmas. I picked up several ropes for about $3 each!!!

I have one mounted under an overhead cabinet to shed some subdued light on the bench below. You can't see the rope...only the light it provides!

[JOHNNIE36]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefed While we were in Vegas, I really liked the ceiling design in our bathroom at the hotel...it was a 'recessed' ceiling if that makes sense...not sure what they call it...but essentially a 1 ft wide soffit running around the whole room and then in the middle it's still 8ft high. I am considering something like that OR maybe a 'rope light' tray (crown molding?) or similar to add some architectural/lighting intrigue to our new bathroom any ideas/pictures of this in your own home?

In looking at new homes in the Tampa area recently, this design was featured in many. Here, it's called a "tray" ceiling. Some have can lights in the corners while others have surround lighting. The higher part of the tray can also have a different drywall texture.

Go to google and type in "tray ceilings". It'll give you some ideas.

[JPatrick]

We did a trayed ceiling in a bedroom with rope lights providing upward accent lighting and recessed floods for down lighting. Like others have mentioned, we have rope lights above the kitchen cabinets as well as above a very large entertainment center.
One thing I would suggest is that while you are at it, install a second color of rope light parallel to the white so you can change them as desired. We have red and white, and while the power supply is hard wired to the wall, I have to ladder up to plug in the alternate color. The red lights are nice during Christmas, and if we ever decide to turn the property into a brothel they will be a nice touch.

[bbbamI]

Fed...I've attached a couple of pics of our house. The first one is the dining room and the second one is a guest bedroom. Haven't done any fancy lighting...but, hmmmm...interesting idea...

[Elderdude]

bbbam1,
What color is on the walls we see in your dining room? I think I'd like it in my office.

[bbbamI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elderdude bbbam1, What color is on the walls we see in your dining room? I think I'd like it in my office.

It's called Chocolate Cherry....2003-7A. I got the paint at Lowes. The paint used to be called American Tradition (I believe) but is now called Valspar. I've had this color in my dining room and kitchen for several years now and still love it.

[thefed]

Thanks for the input guys

We've settled on doing a tray ceiling with 3 smaller recessed lights directly above the vanity in lieu of a fixture...and one more small one abouve the doorway....this is all on the lower tier. In the higher tier will go one recessed can light as well as out light/fan/heater combo. Still up in the air about the solar tube or 'indirect' skylight option....i like the idea but my wife is against another hole in the roof....dont ask.

[Goonie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefed .....Still up in the air about the solar tube or 'indirect' skylight option....i like the idea but my wife is against another hole in the roof....dont ask.

Another hole....another place to leak!

BTDT!!!

[JPatrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefed Thanks for the input guys We've settled on doing a tray ceiling with 3 smaller recessed lights directly above the vanity in lieu of a fixture...and one more small one abouve the doorway....this is all on the lower tier. In the higher tier will go one recessed can light as well as out light/fan/heater combo. Still up in the air about the solar tube or 'indirect' skylight option....i like the idea but my wife is against another hole in the roof....dont ask.

We had a solartube installed in our kitchen about 2 years ago.
This may not be the best $350 we've ever spent on the house, but it has got to be in the top 5. Love it!

[Janet H]

+1 for solar tubes. Love 'em and fewer lights on during the day. In 200 years it will pay for itself in saved light bulbs and juice to power them

[JPatrick]

This shows our lighted trayed ceiling. A little difficult to tell, but the glow around the edge is the rope light. Very cool at night. Possible replacement for "viagra"