'L' for Lighting• Kitchen• Outside

Braxton Lighting

We’re going to add lights to the front and back porches. Hooray, we’ll be able to see as we walk down the stairs! I’ve ordered a flushmount and sconce from Restoration Hardware’s Braxton Lighting Collection.

Look at what the electrician left us with in the kitchen though. Are there better looking light switches that go one above the other? There is not enough room for the standard side by side switches that I was expecting, and I would like something, you know, less ugly. The electrician said that he could replace the switches with white ones, and I suppose a new switch plate and some touch up paint will help. Still, I miss the simple standard switch that we used to have.

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Shaunna

November 30, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Have you tried double rocker light switches? I know I’ve seen them vertically positioned before … they might work – I know they come in plain white and they have a much more modern look than these old switch ones …

Good luck!

Making it Lovely
December 1, 2009 at 9:24 pm

We have one by the sink, but I think it’s a little too modern for the house.

Shaunna

November 30, 2009 at 6:10 pm

Check out these samples …

http://www.kyledesigns.com/category/11_home_decor.2_electrical_supplies.ivory_switches/

Ryan

November 30, 2009 at 6:44 pm

I like the look of the double rocker switch Shaunna mentioned above. Although I’m sure I’d always forget which direction is on/off. Obviously, if nothing else, you can switch out the white plastic plate. A matching almond or a brass one if you have brass plates on other switches in the house. My mother found some unvarnished brass switch plates at a garage sale for me and just this weekend I finally switched out the bedroom and hallway switch plates. All the formal rooms in the house have brass switch plates with button switches, you know the old fashioned kind.

I just installed the Braxton pendant light on my front porch. I probably should have gone with the flush mount, but I really wanted a pendant. As it is, I had to shorten the hang (using an s-hook instead of the supplied hanger) and still have to be careful walking around on the porch.

Robin (noteverstill)

November 30, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Would a regular outlet cover fit? The ovular holes look like the same size and positions…

Making it Lovely
December 1, 2009 at 9:25 pm

Yes.

Anne

November 30, 2009 at 7:35 pm

What about the old style “push” button switches? they might be able to be installed top to bottom. rejuvenation.com has some.

Marie @ M2JL STUDIO

November 30, 2009 at 7:51 pm

I think a switch like this one could work and would fit in your space (Dual Rocker):
http://www.illumra.com/Products/Wireless_Light_Switches/E3T-S2AWH_Dual_Rocker.html

This one is wireless but I imagine a wired one could work too.

Martha

November 30, 2009 at 7:56 pm

I’ve removed most of the faceplates in our apartment and have had similar issues with paint chipping. Using jumbo sized replacements has really helped as they are big enough to cover any rough edges that result from removing (painted-on 80 year) old switchplates.

benny

November 30, 2009 at 8:39 pm

I have the same thing in my dining “space”. I hate it. It also makes it more confusing to remember what switch goes to what light for some reason. I have no solution…just wanted to say I feel your pain.

Lisa~

November 30, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Why do electricians do this? Do they not even consider that the homeowner might care what the switch looks like?

Fortunately, this is an easy thing to change yourself. Light switches are very easy to put in. So you can go to the hardware store and find one you like and change it yourself.

Unless you can get that electrician back out to change it for you for free! That’s even better. :) Lisa~

Kellie

November 30, 2009 at 10:11 pm

I have the same switches in my kitchen for the same reason (space constraints), but they’re new and white with a white switch plate and I honestly don’t even notice them. They make a nice, satisfying click when you switch them which is kinda fun. Honestly, if money weren’t an option, I’d install period correct push-button switches in my house. They’re pretty expensive, but they look so neat.

http://www.classicaccents.net/

Making it Lovely
December 1, 2009 at 9:27 pm

I like the push-button switches too, but I don’t think they have any options that will control two lights.

Audrie

November 30, 2009 at 10:50 pm

I love those lights! I do hope you find a nice replacement switch plate.

Melissa

November 30, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Those lights are very cool. I would go with the old push button knob deals if you can. I have that in most of my rooms and I like the look better than the rooms that has your similar situation above. Otherwise def. change to white or a dark brown (that would probably be best) switch and paint to blend with wall?

Jennifer

November 30, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Hey Nicole…

They have a million different options at Home Depot. The best options are the Leviton Decora brand rocker style. We changed all of the switches in our house to those. They have ‘special’ switch plate covers that go with them. Here are the links (hope they work):

swich…

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xmi/R-100356887/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

cover…

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xmi/R-100199643/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Jennifer

PS…they have them in the store.

Condo Blues

November 30, 2009 at 11:04 pm

In their defense, you switches match your wall color. Not many people can say that.

Nem

December 1, 2009 at 4:35 am

I quite like the switches, they’re a bit different. :) The colour is a bit yucky though! Sometimes I feel that electricians and plumbers just user their leftovers.

Renee

December 1, 2009 at 9:51 am

http://www.rejuvenation.com

Ashley

December 1, 2009 at 10:54 am

What about something like this?
http://www.rejuvenation.com/templates/collection.phtml?accessories=Switches&ipb=GA1024&gclid=CIzFj4vMtZ4CFQoeDQodz2ahmw

Making it Lovely
December 1, 2009 at 9:28 pm

Love them, but I can’t fit two of them.

hishouse;herhelp.

December 1, 2009 at 11:26 am

ashley – those push button switches are awesome! thanks for the link!

Heather

December 1, 2009 at 12:10 pm

We have the lights from Restoration Hardware…keep an eye our for their lighting sale which happens about twice a year. I think they discount the lights 20%!

Krysten

December 1, 2009 at 12:56 pm

We really like our lutron switches.
http://www.lutron.com/CMS400/page.aspx?id=16991&mn=1783

B

December 1, 2009 at 4:32 pm

We’ve painted all our switch plates to match the wall color that they live on…it really helps disguise ugly outlets and switches. We did our vent covers, too.