Dim the lights

We're remodeling the downstairs of our new (old) home and I had someone (qualified, see below) put in a set of six recessed lighting fixtures using Alzac trim. Alzac provides a reflective surface (as opposed to the usual black) to give a more diffused lighting effect. Great stuff but not cheap.

So what do you do after you spend some coin to get great lights? Spend more to turn them off! The switches in the house are gamey circa-1966 so I'm replacing them with new sleek rockers. For the family room downstairs I wanted a dimmer but in true Digital Dad style I also wanted IR control.

I settled on the Lutron Maestro IR series. I installed the single pole version (~$40 at Lowe's) and when sparks flew out  I realized that there was a second switch also controlling those lights, so I needed the three-way package. By the way, that is not the best way to find out you have a second switch somewhere.

Lowe's had the three-way package for about $100 but I found  it online at dimmers.net (where else?) for about $60. Nice!

Now I will be able to sit back and s.l.o.w.l.y fade to black.

Cool.