Just got home from Target and it was rather fruitful. On a whim I checked out their light-bulb selection and what do you know… they had dimmer compatible CFLs.

The dimmable bulb is pictured to the left and the standard to the right. Notice the larger space for the ballast?

What was the price? Well, each bulb was $12.99 but they are on sale this week so I got them for $7.99 each. Good deal.

Also, they have three-way compatible CFLs there as well.

Browsing the outdoor furnishings area I found some of these interesting ‘cultural’ pieces so I decided to test out the 3.2 mp camera built into my phone. Not too bad considering fluorescent lighting and no flash.

Previously I wrote about how CFL’s are not compatible with dimmers. Well, I was right and I was wrong. After talking with some folks and doing a bit of research, it is just a matter of getting the right CFL.

Here is FAQ from gelighting.com:

Can I use a compact fluorescent light bulb with a dimmer switch?
To use a compact fluorescent bulb on a dimmer switch, you must buy a bulb that’s specifically made to work with dimmers (check the package). GE makes a dimming compact fluorescent light bulb (called the Energy Smart Dimming Spirals®) that is specially designed for use with dimming switches. We don’t recommend using regular compact fluorescent bulbs with dimming switches, since this can shorten bulb life. (Using a regular compact fluorescent bulb with a dimmer will also nullify the bulb’s warranty.)

These bulbs are a bit harder to find and will cost a little bit more than standard CFLs.

Also, fluorescents can be dimmed with a pulse width modulation (PWM) switch but I am not sure how readily available those are and if they work on CFLs. More info on PWMs from WikiAnswers.

My new lamps arrived earlier this week. I purchased them from lightingdirect.com. The lamps have a “dark walnut wood frame w/ off-white pleated paper  shade.

They take a 40watt bulb max and have a switch on the power cord.

They matched the style I was looking for and are very affordable at $32 each and free shipping. The items do take a few days to ship out since the site I purchased them from doesn’t stock them.

I also installed a dimmer to control the lights replacing my old-school flip switches with something more modern.  I reinstalled the switch a few times as it worked and turned the lights on, but it wouldn’t dim and made a loud buzzing sound when I had it at maximum.

What was the problem? CFLs do not work on dimmers. They are either on or off as the current charges the gas and there is no way to control them externally with voltage. So, unfortunately I had to get some incandescent bulbs.

I must say, the atmoshphere and lighting to watch movies is greatly improved.

My first floor is coming along … slowly… but still coming along.

This post covers what I did to my first floor half bath over the week-end. Let’s start with some before shots, or at least some before shots before I fully dismantled everything.

The bathroom was done with the typical mass-build options. Had a strange green color, gold accessories, gold faucet, linoleum floor, standard wall mirror, cheap gold light and worse of all, they put a strip of plastic as a splash guard for the sink.

So, I removed and cleaned up the sink, removed the accessories, mirror, toilet and the old flooring.

The bathroom isn’t done 100% but I am pretty happy with how it is turning out. Check out the pictures below.

I repainted the walls white and the main wall “chocolate sparkle”. Instead of spending a ton of money to refurnish with a new vanity that was a dark brown color, painting the wall was a great alternative – and a lot less expensive.

Installed the engineered wood flooring that is continuous throughout the first floor. A lot of research advised to not put wood flooring in a bathroom, but I think that is more for full baths. There maybe the occasional water “incident” on the floor so it will just require a bit more diligence in maintenance.

I reinstalled the toilet and just installed two wax seals to meet the depth requirements the new floors created.

Reinstalled the refreshed sink and just a clear silicon seal for the wall. Replaced the faucet with a new brushed nickel one along with all the water lines with steel braided. Wow, sort of sounds like car modification.

The new light fixture is also brushed nickel with a more modern feel equipped with compact fluorescents.

I found a great print at a local store for only $30 including the frame. “When Pigs Fly”. Also picked up a faux flower with a great vase.

Remaining items to complete include installing the towel hook, tp holder and a nice mirror I am currently searching for - any suggestions?