[RickDel]

I've been researching this topic for the past two week and would like some suggestions.

Can you guys recommend some recessed light for me? My room is 19'x14 1/2' and I'm thinking of placing four 5" Halos in the center for general lighting and 3" or 4" recessed lights on both ends of the 19' wall for accent/general lighting. For the 3"/4" lights I want them as small as possible to make them less obtrusive, so I'm thinking of using gimbal trim, which appear to conceal the fixture better then eyeball trim. I originally planned to use low voltage (like these), but the cost is a little out of my range considering I plan to move in a couple years and know my townhouse is already maxed out in value compared to my neighbors, so I'm now thinking of using line voltage 120v MR16's instead. I also want the 5" general lights and the outer 3"/4" accents on different switches and to use dimmers on each.

Do you guys have any suggestions for a good quality housing that's small and uses gimbal trims? Thanks in advance!!

 

[DPPEW]

Well for starters recessed light are what I term "looknLights" They look nice but dont give the proper amount of light. If your want lights that look nice there are great. But you need to install several to make for 1 standard light. My Sisters house had 5 recessed light in her den, using up 250W of Electricity, I replace them with 2 flush mounts light fixtures and she now has twice the light for 1/2 of the energy that she been using.

 

[RickDel]

thanks for the reply..... Yes, I want them for aesthetics. I think they'll look good as dim light for wall washing and accent lighting for pics/art work. This is in my living room so dim lighting while watching movies should be perfect (at least that's what I'm hoping for). Not to mention I HATE wiring on my hard wood floors (e.g. lamp wiring).

 

[PaliBob]

Rick, Halo has a 3" remodel housing that has a variety of six different Gimbal trims.
They will take a 50W MR16 Halogen (bulb is 2" in diameter), bulbs are~4$ each
http://www.cooperlighting.com/specfiles/pdf/Halo/H36TAT_spec.pdf
.

 

[RickDel]

PaliBob, that might be the one for me. Only 3", Gimbal trim, and half the cost of Low Voltage.... Thanks

Anyone have any experience with this fixture? It's less then $20 at Westside Wholesale (though they have mixed reviews on Reseller Ratings).

 

[PaliBob]

.....It's less then $20 at Westside Wholesale...

On Beverly Blvd, That puts you in LA, I'm in 90272, also in LA.
Riick I put three Halo 3" remodel housing in my 9x6 hall, 20 years ago with no problem. The Halo 3"remodel housing was a different style then, much longer, but still easy to install. Two of mine have the Gimball Trim which I don't see has changed. Although there are now more color options.
.

 

[ScottR]

Well for starters recessed light are what I term "looknLights" They look nice but dont give the proper amount of light.

That's true if you don't lay them out correctly or install enough of them... And anyway, in living spaces the quantity of light is just as much a concern as the quality of the light.

If you're saying that you replaced recessed cans with fluorescent tubes or fixtures with CFLs then I wouldn't be on board.

I'm a big fan of recessed lighting, especially when combined with Philips Halogena bulbs -- they use less energy than incandescents (though not as little as CFLs), and throw better light. I took a big-ass fluorescent fixture (4 T8 bulbs) out of my kitchen and replaced it with 5 cans. Yes, my energy consumption is higher, but shadows are way down and food actually looks the same color as it does in daylight.

 

[lightwonder37]

I was looking for this as well. Here's a link http://www.westsidewholesale.com/lighting/recessed-lighting/trims/halo/halo-3009whwb.html