Planning Exterior and Interior Lighting, Storage Solutions, and Interior Decorating

Project: Basement Finishing and Family Space, Episode 12, Part 2



Bob is in Melrose, where landscape lighting is installed in the front and back yards using 12/2 wire in a continuous lead from the last light fixture all the way to the hub connecting solid-stem brass fixtures and 20-watt bulbs throughout the grounds. The yard is on a single circuit but could be wired as zones to turn lights on when it's dark, or to break up controls between the front, back, and side yards. The exterior is completely rewired for lighting and outlets while the inside gets radio-frequency-controlled lighting complete with scenes for different areas of the home. The children's room is reorganized with a double desk, toy storage, drawers, and bookshelves. The basement is completely finished with basement drainage, waterproofing, new subfloors, easy-stick carpet tiles, media-room recliners, audio and video systems, finished storage, a second bath with a macerating toilet and pump, laundry, and a small desk area. The entire basement is finished with a basement system that provides walls, trim, doors, and ceiling for a polished, sound-deadening new family room. The new furnace, central air, air purification, and on-demand hot water system are tucked behind finished walls where they function quietly to keep the entire house comfortable.

Part 1: Installing Exterior Lighting
Part 2: Planning Exterior and Interior Lighting, Storage Solutions, and Interior Decorating
There are many options for lighting fixtures when lighting the exterior of an old home. It is important to find something that is complementary to the age and style of the home. The two lighting fixtures on the home's porch ceiling are from Bellacor and feature clear glass domes that are appropriate for a house built in the 1920s. The house features elements of Dutch Colonial, American Colonial, gambrel, and arts and crafts styles. Some of the lights around the back of the house reflect the arts and crafts style. The interior of this home, like most of the homes built in the 1920s, had very little storage space. Chloe Durant of California Closets reviews some of the changes made to the house to improve the storage space. Before the renovation, the boys' room featured lots of little containers for toys which made the room feel cluttered. In an effort to expand toy storage space and add space for work, a two-section desk was installed. Bookshelves and drawer space were included with the desk. Some bookshelves include baskets for toy storage. A door was removed from a pre-existing closet, the interior was painted, and display shelves were installed. A bunk bed from Levitz.com was put in the children's room, which helped open up more space. The master bedroom was also furnished with products bought online. This 1920s-era house had almost no exterior lighting and not even a place to plug in the Christmas lights. Electrician John Schiavone installed new lighting outlets for the exterior and interior of the home. The lighting fixtures and table lamps in the living room are all operated by wireless control. Ben Wilson Jr. of Lutron/Keyes North Atlantic reviews the features of this system. The control unit has five settings for the homeowner to set, which will control various lights in the house. The system seeks out and uses wireless frequencies that are not currently in use and will not impede the use of other wireless devices in the area. Each room of the house is equipped with a dimmer switch that for manual operation. The house has a lot of architectural character from the nice dark woodwork. The selection of new furniture for the house reflects this character. All of the new furnishings were purchased online and the only two objects still remaining in the room are the grandmother's piano and an Indian armoire. The accent cushions for the couch use the same colors and floral patterns found in the Indian armoire. The furnishings were bought from Levitz.com and the rug was from BelleRug. The oriental-style rug really unifies the room. Adult space has been reclaimed with the addition of the space for the family's children.
Part 3: Touring the Completed Basement Remodel

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