Floating ceiling in living room

[SamDude]

[Originally posted in General DIY and told I'd get more responses here]

Hi All,

Short-time lurker, first time poster...

We've recently moved into a 3-bed semi and left it untouched for a few months while we catch our breath (and let the bills settle down).

The 'Doris' that used to live here had 1960s flowery wallpaper, I'm sure it was fine for her, but we're taking it all down.

I'm in the process of getting the walls and ceilings skimmed, so we can paint and put new coving/skirting in all the rooms.

In the living room, I want to have the effect of a warm light/glow from around the edge of the ceiling.

I've googled and searched for similar projects to see how it could/would look, but have not come across anything. Maybe its because I'm not using the right keywords (floating ceiling, lowered ceiling, ceiling design...).

Has anyone done something similar? or point me to a walkthrough?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[SamDude]

Anyone?

 

[chrisz]

I've stayed in the St Martin's lane hotel and they had an above the bed light system that you could alter the colour of red thru green thru purple etc with the twist of a switch - very funky.

As to how the did it? Not really any idea. Stay a night in there and take the ceiling apart?!

For it's worth the light was projected from above a ledge/floating ceiling type thing.

It sounds like an easy-ish (techincally-wise) project, but is the hassle worth the end product?

 

[SamDude]

Thanks for your pointer Chris.

I've come across this: http://www.chaseexpress.co.uk/prod--10m-LED-Rope-Light-White-8-Pattern-Controller-153-439-.html

Basically, I've been looking for a 'LED rope' light... I won't be using the fancy patterns or colour change effects - I'm happy with a constant light.

It comes with a plug molded on so it needs to be plugged into a mains socket.

How do I get it wired to a light switch? Do I need a converter/transformer to wire it to the mains circuit?

(I'm not planning on doing it myself, but I'd like to know I'm talking about when getting a sparky round...)

 

[awbcm]

Sent you a PM in the last few minutes requesting a email address to send a drawing to.

 

[awbcm]

General arrangement drawing as been sent to email address supplied.

All measurements and timber sizes quoted are for guidance only.

To give the elusion that ceiling is floating Face X should not visible by any one in a normal standing position. This is achieved by the careful consideration of dimensions A, B, C & D, it must be remembered that access will be required for maintenance of the light fittings when calculating these dimensions.

The floating ceiling its self is constructed from 63 x 38 battens at a minimum of 1200mm centres, these battens are fixed to the existing floor joists. 63 x 38 timber hangers support the 63 x 38 binders which run 90degs to the battens. The binders support a frame work of 63 x 38 timbers @ 400mm centres. 12.5mm plasterboard is screwed to this frame work.

A trough is formed using 18mm plywood or OSB in the base and a softwood upstand. The trough is supported via a 90 x 90 x 59 x 2mm Expamet metal bracket Ref: HD9090 fixed to the binders and frame work @ a minimum of 600mm centres. To compensate for the bracket thickness a 2mm packing will need to be fixed between the battens and plasterboard.

The light fittings can be either mounted in the base of the trough or on face X. To maintain the elusion that the ceiling is floating the light fitting should not be visible.

All measurements and timber sizes quoted are for guidance only.

 

[awbcm]

I was wondering if you got the drawing.

 

[SamDude]

Hi,

Yeah I got it - I've been away for a few days without email/internet.

Many thanks for the drawing - it looks like you put a lot of time into it!

I'm still trying to see what the finished job will look like if I can find a completed project.

Also, I need to find out how to wire the LED rope light into the lighting wiring/switch (in my previous post above).

In the meantime, you've given me something very useful to go by.

Rgds/
Sam

 

[54aardvark]

May be worth checking out ORAC, they do contemporary uplight troughs, electric snakes etc - but they are expensive.