Professional Villa Rica, GA on Dec 31, 2011

Cheap alternative to furniture lights.

We burried rope lights under the concrete top lip created a shawdow box. I love the low cost of rope lights but they always look like a disco scene with intensity and angles. On this we put a micro chase to soften and contol the directions. At night the light flows consistently with almost no spotty areas.

24 Comments

Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Very elegant. Nicely done.

on Dec 31, 2011 · Like 1
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

I love the rope lights so much and I am looking forward on using them on a project. Need to get my hands on them and test them but I am so glad I can see pics of your project. I kinda like the effect.

on Dec 31, 2011 · Like 0
Kathy H Kansas City, MO

I have used them quite often,love the look,especially under the cabinets or along the baseboards.

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 1
Collingwood sawdust build... Waxhaw, NC

saw these installed in coffieured ceiling I built .Really nice.and easy from what i saw.

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 1
Cindy T Filer, ID

I have them above and under my cabinets , even along the floor, and they line the inside of my bar hutch.....all .with dimmers.....I just love them!!

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 0
Jim L Columbia, SC

Do you mean "buried" the rope lights?

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 0
Diane B Dublin, GA

This whole project is well done! Good job!

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 0
Lynn P Barberton, OH

what did you mean by buried? sorry, i'm not good at picturing things, thanks alot for explaining!!!

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 0
LouAnne S Antioch, CA

Do these come in varied links? During our kitchen remodel we were supposed to have under cabinet lighting and opted out as the costs accrrued. We would only need 2 short runs for nighttime convenience.

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 0
LandlightS Roswell, GA

Great look and use of rope lights. And always remember that you can add a dimmer to control the intensity of the rope lighting.
Happy New Year

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 1
Kimberly A Trinity, TX

That is beautiful and a wonderful idea for rope lights. I showed this to my husband and now he has the I wants lol.

on Jan 01, 2012 · Like 1
Tammy M Sanford, NC

Really nice work!

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

That is a great-looking outdoor kitchen and the rope lighting provides a really nice level of lighting. Hadn't thought of using it near a baseboard, but that is a cool idea.

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Posh Patios Villa Rica, GA

Thank you everyone for the compliments I really enjoyed this project. My next one will be much more impressive. I still may place lights inside the baseboard. With the excess rope light you can run it inside the cabinet as well and this will give you lights when opening the doors. They do make door hinge switches that turn the lights on and off when opening and closing.
For switches you can use the dimmers now or what I like to do on vanities is put a hidden ...»
motion sensor switch in. As the person enters the area or bathroom they don't need to hunt for the wall switch the base board lights up for 5 minutes. Just enough light time to use the room.
The trick to rope light if don't want the intense spotty look which always seems to amplify on finished wood surfaces is the L chase. A good visual would be placing a rope light in a gutter and rotating the gutter away from the area you want light to focus on. We are basically using the refraction of the light wave to create a glow and remove the spots.

If you are planning on using rope lights prior to hanging them turn them on at night in area you are using them in. Then take anything L shaped place the rope light in it and put it in the same area. By aiming the light away you can create the glow effect.
What make this cheap if you have ever designed a cabinet lighting effect is the cost of the rope light may be $50. Alternatives like strip lights can run over $1000 for a similar effect.
This process can not be done using countertops that are flat they must have a reveal or lip on the front exposed edges. This concrete is 1" thick with a 2.5" lip giving me a 1.5" L shape to redirect the light waves.
If you need a drawing of my messy light explanation just shoot me an email and I can send a clear drawing.

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

Beautiful workmanship. The concrete top looks jamb-up perfect.
I'm curious what kind of clear coat, if there is one, you like to use.
CP

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Posh Patios Villa Rica, GA

I have many types in the shop at least 10 different companies and chemical structures. My choice always depends on the setting. I prefer some polyaspartics, some moisture cures. Cant use use epoxy. EAP is ok. They all run between $190 and $300 for a gallon kit.

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

I am glad to know there are some excellent sounding products used. I am so limited in what kind of clear products are available in, say front door refinishing. It takes so much time to remove a failed coating, I am always wondering if there is something better than spar varnish )-: What you have to spend on materials is worth at least 10X in labor savings.
Thanks, CP

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Posh Patios Villa Rica, GA

That is true! BTW there are great strippers that dont hurt the glue joints on door refinishing. I used a European finish on a exterior wood key podium at the Doubletree in Buckhead. It's been a few years I need to go back and look at it. That was suppose to be the BEST exterior clear coat. I want to say $375 for the gallon kit.

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 2
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

PP, do you have one website you order from or do you just look around?

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

I like this peace, it is unique and well done! Also, I bet less expensive than traditional stone work for an outdoor kitchen. Welcome back to the USA Peace man.

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 1
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

Lighting always makes the project. What great ideas. . . I never thought of using rope like this.

on Jan 02, 2012 · Like 0
Posh Patios Villa Rica, GA

PP, not yet on the order website hopefully this spring it's killing me the way I do it now. All of my customers go on look around give me a bugdet and I do the most for that bugdet. I then build it, take photos and if they dont like what they see I give them a full refund. I lot of pressure on my end; however, I've never had one refused. Went retail for 6 months sold WELL, just got beat up by the retailers. I would like to open or share a store. ...»

My helpers are all over age 55 many lost there retirements or jobs thanks to wallstreet banks. What I do requires patients and old fashion intrinsic values. A perfect fit for this generation, and they can do it forever. It's a come and go as you please system. Work when you feel good about working.....MAKE SURE IT'S RIGHT!!

on Jan 03, 2012 · Like 1
Design Time for Homes, At... Marietta, GA

Is this being installed in GA? I'm surprised it will handle the elements, unless it's under a cover patio (?) but after reading the posts I see you are very versed in the correct finish for the project. Very nice job!

on Jan 03, 2012 · Like 0
Posh Patios Villa Rica, GA

Yes it's in Georgia now with semi-cover. Interesting enough the side that gets sun and water looks the best. Cedar holds up very nice, and I actually prefer it over Teak. The cabinets have invisible vents to allow air flow, but don't allow water in. Pollution and sun are you big exterior enemies.
FYI put a sheet of bounce in any of your exterior storage spaces and bugs stay away.

on Jan 27, 2012 · Like 0