The Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home

I've learned a few things about dollhouse lighting... It's a process, and it's better if you expect it to take however long it takes...

As some of you may remember, I decided to go with a round wire and plug system on this structure because of my past frustrations with tapewire systems and MDF. I am glad I did. Like tapewire, you have to plan ahead of time so you'll know where your lights will be. Unlike tapewire, you need to plan for how you'll conceal the wires and where you'll run them to the hub. At least you won't be ripping into your pretty wallpaper trying to isolate a bad connection. On the RGT barn, I'd test, move forward and then things would just stop working. Seems the MDF does not like brads or eyelets and pushes them right back out when you're not looking.

To avoid having to deal with hiding wires behind wallpaper, I decided early on to avoid wall lighting. Instead, I opted for "can" lights and lamps. One exception are the fireplace sconces. They are mounted on the chimney breast which is removable and also serves to conceal the hub for all the wiring in the entire house.

The other exception is the porch light. I drilled through the wall, then fed the wire inside right behind one of the wall frames. I did my best to conceal the wire running down the wall by painting it to match the wall color. There will be an entry table there, so that should help. The wire was then fed through a tiny access hole in the floor, along with the lamp wire, then runs through the joists and up through the floor to the hub.

I plan on adding one or two more living room lamps, and those wires will also be run through "outlets" in the floor and lead back up through the access hole to the hub. I have to decide on furniture placement before I can tackle those.

For the "can" lights, I decided on placement, drilled holes, then made channels in the plywood leading to the hub. Once the lights were installed, I secured the wires into place in the channels using really good masking tape.

Here is the kitchen. The drop fixture is over where the future sink will be. I'll also add another light under the stove hood, but that will be easy. It's just the other side of the wall from the hub, so a little hole drilled into the wall and it's right there.

This is looking through the living room into the dining room.

Looking through the kitchen into the dining room.

Buffet lamp currently taped securely to the floor. Wiring also runs under the house to meet up with the hub.

And a couple shots of the dining room ceiling. Sadly, hardly any of this can be seen unless you are a tiny person and can walk into the room, or you have a small camera. Oh well, I know it's there.

The warm white lighting gives the house a nice homey feel, like peering in through the windows at night. I like the mood they create, and can't wait to see them when all of the furniture is in. But first:

Finishing the stairs

Keep the column bookshelf?

Oh yeah, and an Entire Kitchen which has to be built! Then there's the little matter of a Christmas project that I'd like to have finished by Christmas. Oh goodie! Looks like I'll have two projects going at once!

Hope you all have a wonderful and productive mini weekend!

Jodi