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  • Small-Bathroom Renovation -- Decorative Light Fixture and Towel Racks
  • From "Bathroom Remodeling"
    episode DBR-104
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    The new light fixture adds a decorative touch while the modified lighting changes the overall ambiance of the room.

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

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    Figure F

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    Figure G

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    The brushed nickel finish of the light fixture was selected to blend with other metal fixtures in the room, such as the vanity faucet and towel racks.

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    Figure H

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    Figure I

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    Figure J

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    Figure K

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    Figure L

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    Figure M

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    The installed towel bar. The finish was selected to complement that of the light fixture and other bathroom fixtures.

    In this bathroom renovation, the old bathroom has been expanded and rebuilt, a tile floor has been laid, a new shower and vanity added, and painting and wallpapering are complete. Now it's time to start making this new bath look like home. That process begins with a new lighting fixture and matching towel racks.


    Decorative Light Fixture


    A new light fixture -- and a change in the overall lighting scheme -- does wonders to modernize and enhance a small space. Sarah has chosen a fixture with a brushed nickel finish to complement the other metals in the bath.


    Safety Alert: Electrical wiring can be dangerous. Before you begin, make certain that you've turned off power to the circuit where you'll be working at the main breaker box. If you don't feel comfortable working with electricity, it's best to leave this job to a professional.


    Steps:


    • Following the manufacturer's instructions, the installation is fairly simple. It begins with the retainer plate that will hold the fixture in place (figure A). Two bolts extend through the back of the plate and match up with holes in fixture. They are secured at the front of the fixture by decorative nuts.


    • Two other bolts attach the retainer to the wiring box in the wall (figure B).


    • After turning off the electricity, Sarah is ready to wire the fixture (figure C).


    • Since the switch is already pre-wired, this installation is uncomplicated. Sarah matches up the colored wires -- connecting black to black, and white to white -- and connects them. Then she attaches the ground wire to the green screw on the fixture (figure D).


    • Then she tucks the wires into the box, attaches the body of the fixture to the protruding bolts and tightens the nuts (figure E).


    • The globes are held in place with set screws (figure F).


    • With all of the globes in place, Sarah screws in the bulbs (figure G), turns on the electricity and flips the switch to test the new fixture.

    Towel Racks

    The next finishing pieces are the towel racks and toilet-paper holder.

    Steps:


    • For the first towel-rack, Sarah is careful to measure accurately so the rack is centered on wall (figure H).


    • She drills a hole for the plastic screw-anchor that will help hold the base plate, then taps the screw-anchor in place.


    • The towel rack fits over the small aluminum plates that are attached to the wall by means of the screw anchors (figure I).


    • The rack is held in place with tiny set-screws.


    • The set-screws are loosened (figure J), and the rack is placed in position (figure K).


    • Once everything is in place, Sarah tightens the set-screws (figure L). The plates are adjustable, making it possible to ensure that the bar is level.


    • Sarah repeats the process for the toilet paper holder (figure M) and the other towel bar.


    In the next phase of the bathroom remodel, some finishing touches are added, and Sarah recaps the experience of renovating a bathroom herself.


    RESOURCES :

    The Complete Book of Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation
    Time Life Books
    Website: www.timelife.com

    The Art of Illumination: Residential Lighting Design
    Model: 0070329591
    Author: Glenn M. Johnson
    $49.95 Paperback - 224 pages 70 edition (November 20, 1998) McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing

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