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Theres got to be an invisible sun. Living in a small apartment can make you nuts. Not having enough room will stress you out and make you not want to hang out at home. We have found that even in the smallest of apartments, there is usually much more room than you think and creating the feeling of a larger space can rekindle the love affair with your apartment that you thought was over.
One way of expanding space is by using mirrors to allow your eye to keep traveling, creating an invigorating depth and reflected light that can make a room grow. Another, more sophisticated way is to illumine areas that are usually dark; closets being our primary targets.
By removing the doors to bedroom or hall closet, replacing them with curtains, and lighting the closet from inside, you get:
1. much more room for getting into and out of your closet
2. an easier time finding what you are looking for
3. a beautiful indirect light that warms as it illuminates your room.
It is this light that will give your room a much more expansive feeling.
Lighting: To create a strong, indirect light that doesnt glare on the eye, we use simple porcelain fixtures screwed into the rear wall of the closet with silver topped crown bulbs. The crown bulbs are the key. Looking like regular bulbs that have been dipped in silver, they are extremely attractive when bare and direct the light against the back wall. Wiring is simple as the fixtures are linked one to the other in a line. A dimmer is inserted into this loop at the end so that the light can be adjusted to any mood, and simple DIY plugs are used to make it easy to cut the wire right where you want to.
Curtains: For the best effect, sheer or light curtains that allow the light to pass through are recommended. We like cotton canvas panel curtains from Pottery Barn (Carlisle), Ikea or West Elm because they are cheap and have a nice off white color. For rods, we use whatever works and is the least noticeable. We like pressure rods that fit inside the frame, tension wire (if needed) or simple metal rods that dont stick out (no finials). Lately, we really like the Drop-in Metal Rods from Pottery Barn (store only). MGR
Got a comment? Got a good How To: idea? Speak up below
I like the curtain-instead-of-doors idea. My apt has large doors that I wish would slide to the side, but they would have to collapsing. Any ideas on where I could find such a thing?
I was also things of those hanging blinds that roll up when you pull the string, a-la Tahitian island window coverings. Y'know?
That's so cool! Where do you buy those electrical lighting supplies? How much would you say this little project cost?
TS,
I bought it all at the lighting store on Canal street, C&L is the name, I think, but you can get it all at any of the asian lighting stores downtown - broadway and 4th street, is one. I think there are others. They all have the same layout and are great. Maxwell
Nice idea. What did you do with the closet door after you removed it?
Be careful. Incandescent bulbs in a closet are a fire hazard and against code in most cities.
I love this idea. I was actually thinking of doing this and i was searching to see if other people had any suggestions and i stumbled upon this site. I was thinking of getting some sort fo sheer black fabric with stars on them and putting it up as a curtain for my closet, then putting a blacklight inside my closet so the purple would show through the stars on the fabric. does anyone think this is a good idea? or have any other suggestions?
We are building my son a room in part of the garage area. He is 18, wants it to be like his dorm room. He doesn't want us to build a closet in the room but use something else. What ideas do u guys have to cover the area he will hang his clothes instead of doors. I was thinking something like a curtain. Thanks--any and all ideas are appreciated.
I am dying to know where to get the things that connect to the ceiling that are holding up the curtains in the picture. Does anyone have any ideas?
on your wire diagram
what is the thing next to the dimmer?
What is the maximum number of bulbs I can have?