Dimmer switch/lighting and wiring question - Non-wall-mounted dimmer switches?

[Number Of The Priest]

Hey everyone. I recently moved and had a question about dimmer switches.

I want to install a shelf above the headboard area of my bed. On the shelf, I want to put two Asian table lamps similar to the ones pictured below:



They have 4.5ft cords with on/off switches. The ones I was looking at come with a 7W bulb option, which would be nice for a relaxing mood, but they also come with a 25W bulb option for reading. I want to put them both on a master dimmer switch with the 25W bulb option to get the best of both worlds.

However, I don't want them controlled by the wall-mounted dimmer switch out of reach. I want them controlled by a dimmer switch located very conveniently next to the bed, perhaps mounted on my headboard or wall closeby, so that the setup acts as a bedside lamp, reading lamp, AND mood-setting lamp. Is there such a thing as a "dimmer box"? How could I achieve this ideal setup? What components would I need? Please provide links to examples.

I've heard of remote-controlled dimmer systems... this sounds intriguing as I could keep the remote close to the bed. Again, you'll have to explain the setup because I'm not an electrician...

Thanks, and happy holidays JCF!

[Rsmacker]

The dimmer part, if it's the same as the UK, will be attached to a faceplate with a knob on it (ooo-er!). You will need a surface-mounted pattress (that's the back-box) and the dimmer, to mount (ooo-er again) near your headboard. You are going to have to get power to the shelf to feed the lamps via the dimmer, so you will either need some trunking, or get your bolster, lump hammer and plastering gear out and chop a channel in your wall to get a cable tagged into your lighting circuit.

Erm, hang on.......

In fact, thinking about this, if you have no inclination or knowledge of these things, you really ought to get a qualified sparky in to do it. Better to pay him than see your house go up in flames!

[S-man]

If they are 120 volt incandescent lamps you can use an x10 system with Radio freq. remote control. You will need a reciever and a dimmiming module. Both plug into a standard 120 volt 15 amp receptacle.

Just Google X10...hope that helps.