During the electrical walk-through with my builder and electrican on March 10, I was told that I was responsible to get any lights other than the standard can lights. I had seen some neat flat panel lights at a home in a Showcase of Homes a month before, and decided I would use those on the main floor and stick with the cans on the lower level. They look like this.

I soon found that there are plenty of choices with flat panel LEDs like the color of the trim (white, black, oil rubbed bronze, stain nickel), the LED temperature color (2700 kelvins - warm, all the way up to 6000 kelvins - bright daylight), the amount of light they put out (lumens) and of course the size. I finally found some at Menards, of all places, that came with 3 colors of trim, 3 sizes and the light color kelvins was selectable. So I got busy and bought 41 of these - went to 4 different Menards stores to get them all - and then set the temperature kelvins for each.

Comes with 3 colors of trimHook up to an extension cord to set color by pushing little black button.3000K in living room and bedroom, 4000K in kitchen and office. 3500K elsewhereBill installing the flat panel lightsFinal product - lights in dining area with black trim. When they are turned on you can't see the trim at all.

Other lights I had to get were a pendant for the foyer, ceiling fans, lighted mirrors, and all exterior lighting. Fortunately no chandeliers, or hanging lights other than the foyer pendant. I had decided on two fans, one each in the upper and lower great rooms. I have never used the fan I have in my bedroom, but we did wire the center light for a fan in all the bedrooms so they could be added in the future.

Master Bath mirror


I decided that all the mirrors in the bathrooms (except the powder room on the lower level) would have the new LED lighted mirrors - like this:

I can't believe the amount of time I spent on lighting & fans & mirrors: researching, comparing prices, selecting and then ordering. I did pretty well in with the budget for this, though.

And I totally gave up trying to buy USA made fixtures. Essentially ALL LEDs are made in China; and at this point in the project I didn't have the time to comb the web and make phone calls to find USA products.