Galvanised conduit - help with lighting

3 years ago

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions!

I live in a flat in a converted shoe-factory and am looking to update it for the first time since I moved in 16 years ago.

I am stuck on what do to with the lighting - which is industrial and quite dated and go for something softer and more modern.

My problem is that everything is surface mounted, with cabling and boxes in galvanised conduits. The ceilings and structural columns are concrete, but even along the stud walls the previous owner continued the theme so every switch and socket is surface mounted with pattress boxes and cabling trunked in galvanised conduit.

I am really reluctant to face the mess and expense of chasing the cabling and backboxes into the wall - and where I have concrete there is no option but to keep things surface mounted.

So my question is what are my options if I want to stay surface mounted, but not have galvanised conduit? There are so many beautiful sconces, chandeliers and pendant lights nowadays - but it's hard to imagine them looking very nice mounted on a conduit pipe.

Aside from painting the conduits black - does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I would love to get a Serge Mouille 3 arm wall sconce for example - but how can I do this?

I've attached an example of the current lighting/socket/switch setup. Any approaches or suggestions would be very welcome.

Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Jonathan
3 years ago
Is there any protection (ie in the lease or is the building listed?) for the buildings concrete finishes? If not could you have the concrete walls and/or ceilings over boarded with plasterboard for a softer look? Then of course wiring could be hidden,
Sonia
3 years ago
I really like the galvanised conduit, it really suits the industrial style building.
Related Discussions
I want to design interior of my house.I try to hide electrical wiring & switches,but not success.
Q
Comments (1)
You want to hide wiring? Is it in conduit or armored cable? Exposed wiring is illegal in the US...sounds like you are in another country? So if getting the wires behind the wall can't happen, putting it in extruded metal tubing (EMT or conduit) is a safer option. Then embrace the necessity and go for a hi-tech/industrial look. Reclaimed and re-imagined furnishings and parts from factories and workshops to play up the look. Search "industrial" under the "browse rooms" tab in the Houzz header. Regarding hiding switches...hiding them is not so great...you kind of want them accessible when stumbling about in the dark! The EMT electrical system has metal boxes for mounting switches, outlets and light fixtures. And metal cover plates too.
...See More
"need to design space under the staircase"
Q
Comments (52)
A houzz contributor, not too long ago, had made a wine rack out of 4'x4' wooden pallets, that are used in the US to move a load of goods with a fork-lift truck. Perhaps they have them in your country. He cut them in half so they were only two feet deep and stacked them up to high counter height. The wood would be a nice contrast with your concrete, might add a little warmth to the space. cascio.offsite@gmail.com
...See More
living room decor
Q
Comments (9)
1). Plz remove the TV panel, its breaking the space on the wall, apply a wall paper or texture on the entire wall, add a self b/w TV n base unit, use conduit to conceal all wires. 2). Curtains till skirting level both on windows n doors is much needed of. Don't keep shear fabric curtains only on windows. You can mix 2 cotton curtains of contrasting colours as per your room colour n can add a white shear fabric curtain in between to enhance the look. 3). A matching khadi spread on floor at sofa Place will be great along with matching cushion on sofa to tie entire room elegantly in one theme. 4).The blue colour wall can be of some light color as per the curtains with few shelves to keep some light weight decora with accent lights highlighting the art pieces
...See More
Rustic, Studio cottage
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Chandru, Rustic is a very interesting look style to work with. There are unimaginable ideas that we can play with. Exposed ceiling conduit lights (no false ceiling ), exposed brick / weathered plaster walls, innovative rustic furniture made out of scrap etc. are some of the ideas. Connect with us regarding your budgets and area of the project. We will be happy to work on it.
...See More
PRO
Magic Projects London Ltd
3 years ago
Hi Jennifer, There is so much you can do, the industrial look is very popular these days and there are so many options to modernise the look a bit as you want to. you can change the fittings to brass or copper colour. Just look for industrial/vintage but modern fittings and I am sure you will find the right one for you. They have few ideas: http://www.home-designing.com/vintage-retro-industrial-style-ceiling-wall-and-pendant-lighting

electric fittings https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/99571841740825827/

I would love to see how you getting on with this. Please update us, I am sure it will look lovely.:)
Katie Duke
3 years ago
Hi Jennifer - not sure whether this would entirely solve your issue but if you wanted some sort of pendant light you could look at this type of option https://www.urbancottageindustries.com/simple-lights

Basically a plug in pendant light which you can have made with a very long cord (check out the different colours) and you could then suspend on a hook over your table or wherever. Lots of different options on this website.

You look like you have a lovely space there, good luck.
Jennifer thanked Katie Duke
PRO
ENLIGH10
3 years ago
Hi Jennifer, do you have already choose something? I think that you don't need to install the lights with the same look but "jumping" in something different by using cables on view, have a look at the following link, please. https://www.urbancottageindustries.com/light-fixtures

Also, you can use a lot of different ways "face view" like the galvanized conduit you can use PVC conduit, Track rail (galvanized or not), and, of course, you can use also copper or Brussel pipes like Magic Projects advised you above.

Check also the following link if inspire you.

https://www.creative-cables.it/fissaggi-a-muro/19608-sare-fissaggio-a-parete-passacavo-in-metallo-per-cavo-tessile-rame.html

https://www.gigambarelli.com/en/

My advice is starting from the light you like and after you can decide which kind of installation to use it.

by the way, your place is beautiful, you can invent unique value for your space, good luck.!
Jennifer thanked ENLIGH10

Galvanised conduit - help with lighting

Comments (5)

Jonathan

Sonia

Related Discussions

Magic Projects London Ltd

Katie Duke

ENLIGH10

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US