Lighting your dining table

The right lighting can make a room sing, but often our rooms are  off key. When you have a house of a certain age (30 years for me) there comes a time when you know you have  to update your look. When I started to change the lighting in my home, I began with the two over my tables because they would have the most impact. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvYyEqzjtf_dh1Ag1Tk14dvqvuZKdEhO3DjpmxhoGnyhDG6njmtBAg5btlehjoREmN0RmuU5KPPbsdH7_ECSaNX06Tn4krBZsfsf0G7UIEA-qLEjuEeejLNpxPhZXfvcxkzyoY2KV2qp_/s1600/DSCN8720_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="dining table, lighting, drum pendant, contemporary,Designing Home, Margaret Ryall " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvYyEqzjtf_dh1Ag1Tk14dvqvuZKdEhO3DjpmxhoGnyhDG6njmtBAg5btlehjoREmN0RmuU5KPPbsdH7_ECSaNX06Tn4krBZsfsf0G7UIEA-qLEjuEeejLNpxPhZXfvcxkzyoY2KV2qp_/s1600/DSCN8720_01.JPG" title="Lighting your dining table" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen table </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">When you're buying lighting to hang over a table you should consider these  factors:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /> <b>Height of ceiling</b><br /><b><br /></b>A taller ceiling  often requires  larger fixtures; many new home builds in my area now have 9 foot ceilings.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Size and shape of table</b><br /><b><br /></b>Your fixture should complement not overpower your table.  You can also have lighting fixtures that are too small for a table.  I am particular about  what shape fixture I mount over a round table; I like to repeat the shape with a circular format, but that's just me. <br /><b><br /></b><b>Height of homeowners</b><br /><b><br /></b> It is a fact that tall homeowners have a greater chance of continually bumping into lights hung too low over a table when they are setting or removing dishes.  Some people are so tall your would never mount pendants high enough!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b><b>Height above table</b><br /><b><br /></b>The specifics of how high to hang your fixture can be confusing because you will find a range of suggestions depending on which sites you consult.  Don't let that deter you.  My adage is "Common sense prevails".<br /><br /> I tend to think in terms of a range while taking other factors into account including: personal preference, the height of the homeowners, fixture size, style of fixture, ceiling height, task to be illuminated etc.  Read on for examples.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSREptzblf_9xmD3Jxt_z63Q244BflGOajcYjimDBnMm6_F5EOyBR6gcyisjaKATHBzmCbrWXk75Yc9njrEG0brC_NiE058Z1AMGrJj1l2e1fiJbz_1N6d5RnCsQZvgX1LvYTqKgWnrDeU/s1600/visual+lighting+a+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="graphic lighting your dining table" border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSREptzblf_9xmD3Jxt_z63Q244BflGOajcYjimDBnMm6_F5EOyBR6gcyisjaKATHBzmCbrWXk75Yc9njrEG0brC_NiE058Z1AMGrJj1l2e1fiJbz_1N6d5RnCsQZvgX1LvYTqKgWnrDeU/s1600/visual+lighting+a+table.jpg" title="Lighting your dining table" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wegotlites.net/Lighting-Planning-Guide_ep_88-1.html">Light Planning and Styling Guide</a> </div><br />The general recommendations for  hanging a fixture over a table is 28 - 32 inches above the table if you have an eight foot ceiling.  This graphic from <a href="http://www.wegotlites.net/Lighting-Planning-Guide_ep_88-1.html">wegotlites</a> recommends 30 inches from the table for an 8 foot ceiling.   I placed my kitchen table pendant  at 32 inches from the table top so I wouldn't continually bump it when working. It works most times, but when I reach in too far I still bump it.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdO4tPUlBl9bDuEoVPTHEctrTxpQOCjPqlK05ksVm1jHndAlQ_9JEuIZf4I0qSHSzgglZmgLLIF_zwMGuSajj3y59H3Qj9cORJzTIAWbmw-MjvHEEKeJ_dpSYEdTzyExTEe1uSih75idy/s1600/FullSizeRender+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dining room pendant, hanging height, " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdO4tPUlBl9bDuEoVPTHEctrTxpQOCjPqlK05ksVm1jHndAlQ_9JEuIZf4I0qSHSzgglZmgLLIF_zwMGuSajj3y59H3Qj9cORJzTIAWbmw-MjvHEEKeJ_dpSYEdTzyExTEe1uSih75idy/s1600/FullSizeRender+(6).jpg" title="Lighting your dining table " width="295" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Art by <a href="http://www.mikegoughart.com/">Mike Gough </a></span></div><br /><br />My dining room pendant is 34 inches from the table.   Being able to view my art collection to best advantage in very important to me, so  I moved the  dining room pendant up an additional two inches from the hanging height in the kitchen  so visitors can  view the art over the buffet without disruption while sitting in the living room.  You may not find this consideration in any lighting guide!<br /><br />Another set of guidelines recommend measuring  from the floor  to the bottom of the shade and suggest 60 - 66 inches as reasonable.  Most tables are 30 inches high.  That would put the height from the floor  to my kitchen  shade at 62 inches, and my dining shade at 64 inches, both are within this guideline.<br /><br />If you have ceilings higher than eight feet, go up 3 inches for each additional foot above eight feet. <br /><br /> <b>Size of fixture </b><br /><b><br /></b> For most applications the diameter of your light fixture should be at least 1/2 the width of your table or even up to 2/3 the width of your table.   My kitchen fixture is exactly one half the width of the table at 18 inches in diameter.  That's the proportion I like.  I could have gone with a diameter of up to 24 in. without it looking too large.  My dining fixture is only 16 inches  in diameter, but looks larger.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sizing based on room dimensions</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2IOE89wlMeq7Ey1jVGs965ed1lfgh0k-wfLrgoG-tIzPRtJA_nq1mUKHg5fxCkRX2EaM0chbfNZ4ZEFS3YmtLhbXtHh6iQQHtgZt50Do20NLW0HZSoHZEoB5CGundzRPgD3bzAMP7iBh/s1600/room+size+and+lighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="graphic lighting your dining table, Designing Home, Margaret Ryall" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2IOE89wlMeq7Ey1jVGs965ed1lfgh0k-wfLrgoG-tIzPRtJA_nq1mUKHg5fxCkRX2EaM0chbfNZ4ZEFS3YmtLhbXtHh6iQQHtgZt50Do20NLW0HZSoHZEoB5CGundzRPgD3bzAMP7iBh/s1600/room+size+and+lighting.jpg" title="Lighting your dining table " width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.wegotlites.net/Lighting-Planning-Guide_ep_88-1.html">Light Planning and Styling Guide </a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />There is another guideline for determining the size of your fixture. Add the length and width of your room together ( eg., 11 feet +14 feet ) and convert the sum to inches (25in.) and that should be the diameter of your  fixture.<br /><br /> Of course that is not a hard and fast rule, but it will provide a light fixture that is a focal point for the room.  This formula works better for a statement fixture  in an entrance or stairway.  You can see how it could get out of control in a dining room.  Eg. 15 feet + 20 feet would give a fixture diameter  of 35 in.  That's the width of most dining tables. <br /><br /><div><b>Function of fixtures</b><br /><b><br /></b></div><div>The illumination given off by drum shades  is soft and calming,  but  bright enough to provide lighting for an entire room.  When a large drum pendant is hung over a table it not only anchors the vignette, but if placed on a dimmer the fixture can provide brighter light for any tasks done at the table and softer light while dining. While I don't have anything against chandeliers, I don't have any in my own home.I'm definitely into clean lines and a very sparse contemporary feel.</div><br /><br />I am planning another post about lighting selection for various rooms as I get ready to replace the fixtures in my summer house.   Stay tuned.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What variables do you consider when hanging a light over a dining table?</div><br /></div></div>

Lighting your dining table

The right lighting can make a room sing, but often our rooms are  off key. When you have a house of a certain age (30 years for me) there co...

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From snow to eggs

 <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are hunkered down for a winter storm with 40 cm. of snow predicted.  Everything is closed so there are no schedules to keep. It's the kind of day where I have lots of time to let my mind wander where it may.  That's a dangerous thing when you can go from one thought to a hundred in a minute.  So let's see how I got from snow to this post. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />White, cold, wishing for spring,  Easter, eggs, decorating eggs, symbolism of eggs, egg imagery through history, eggs in art, design trend for 2015 (read it on Houzz this week),  Las Vegas Market trends Winter 2015, should write a new blog post because I have time today, anyone else predicting eggs are hot, search Pinterest.  Yep!  That's how my head works.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>What is a trend?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Decor trends  are predictions based on patterns recognized from multiple viewings of similar material.  Anyone can make trend predictions if they have enough information and time to look for patterns. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> Here are some of the patterns I'm seeing on Olioboard, Pinterest and design blogs that indicate that eggs and egg shapes or oval shapes are appearing in textiles, lighting and home accents. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbREflwI6J22mre-FWCanow0cDl2qGv6zjI2Y3Qecu8jOvNg28mhIfoiAG6nLFQR-LI_7newUG42jkl4I3NG_JqyfZO5U8SD1UYCrZbLItN2DA5Tt1yF3i-UVB7suh6l9B8u_Ez2MjisGj/s1600/OB-egg+trend+accessories+2015+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbREflwI6J22mre-FWCanow0cDl2qGv6zjI2Y3Qecu8jOvNg28mhIfoiAG6nLFQR-LI_7newUG42jkl4I3NG_JqyfZO5U8SD1UYCrZbLItN2DA5Tt1yF3i-UVB7suh6l9B8u_Ez2MjisGj/s1600/OB-egg+trend+accessories+2015+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes  eggs are represented literally and recognizable as what they are.  You will often see nests accompanying the eggs as in the pillow and art works above.  Sometimes the egg shapes are abstracted and used in repetition to create patterns.  These are the ones I find most pleasing.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvWP4XjRidvpMHrdJ43nowtO0RGaxHIQQxqqtY1oviejwhsCckyZfHLRuBh594xeMge_aU3ceaTsmUb7EKY-YkT07fqbmwrCiBWW-D7KtcBkuhsry-BNAf256Z07OcBEz3OSDGBjKFcbD/s1600/OB-Egg+trend+2015+lighting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="egg motifs, eggs decor trend 2015, egg shapes, egg patterns in textiles" border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvWP4XjRidvpMHrdJ43nowtO0RGaxHIQQxqqtY1oviejwhsCckyZfHLRuBh594xeMge_aU3ceaTsmUb7EKY-YkT07fqbmwrCiBWW-D7KtcBkuhsry-BNAf256Z07OcBEz3OSDGBjKFcbD/s1600/OB-Egg+trend+2015+lighting+2.jpg" title="Designing Home: Egg trend in accessories 2015" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it just me or do you find anything egg shaped or hinting of it pleasing/soothing to the eye? This characteristic makes it a perfect shape to choose when you want a lighting fixture to just sit there and hold a place without being  too dominant in the decor.  Sometimes this is not what you want!  For excitement do not choose  of the lights above (except the red one). </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrfzSaNB4rUpNjJBkkPciX1kbSGZHkOo16Wa4L2nhLAae8uL-Qx4ESHNYLX1IwOfqrc26kxAcIW-NtcLhvMvSo-wefCrF1yo1eoz6bfALMSs-iAw95PBRA-sQRzV9rWZfSEoGdrtas7TD/s1600/+Jeff+Koons+Cracked+Egg,+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrfzSaNB4rUpNjJBkkPciX1kbSGZHkOo16Wa4L2nhLAae8uL-Qx4ESHNYLX1IwOfqrc26kxAcIW-NtcLhvMvSo-wefCrF1yo1eoz6bfALMSs-iAw95PBRA-sQRzV9rWZfSEoGdrtas7TD/s1600/+Jeff+Koons+Cracked+Egg,+Blue.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff Koons, Cracked Egg- Blue</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Egg shapes have always been a favourite of artists through the centuries.  Not only is it a pleasing shape, but the symbolism of promise of things to come, fertility, and creation  makes eggs a multifaceted starting point for many artistic explorations.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Yx1KUR3Uxde3A551Pp156PLarRKQQIatlW01EPoDb_8a3anET9pwZqihc6BHTSgZkb_JseTW8iB5IlwFH2rZ2ZWEEH1Y9DWRDDHhO-5NCBqUxKPNK-DyNpuSUHuoyvZszSwJ6GOe0v3b/s1600/Nest,+Paul+Lichtenhan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Yx1KUR3Uxde3A551Pp156PLarRKQQIatlW01EPoDb_8a3anET9pwZqihc6BHTSgZkb_JseTW8iB5IlwFH2rZ2ZWEEH1Y9DWRDDHhO-5NCBqUxKPNK-DyNpuSUHuoyvZszSwJ6GOe0v3b/s1600/Nest,+Paul+Lichtenhan.jpg" width="260" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Lichetenhan - Nest </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This work created by Paul Lichtenhan couldn't be more different than Koon's  reflective, slick and very large cracked egg above.  In this piece the aged patina of the recycled metals stand in striking contrast to the delicate ceramic eggs. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSOWZul1QfGelOHMGXdC0I9XcKdSVK1qWcvy3IMcx6hHqvZ48q1-2vLB1QeqPh5nBNZRTW_qDKN-NtJcul_ETjvShL8y2IIXqaO4hk9hSD444OPLFRsu92Weyd4Q-brut2qXJY6ajtPwA/s1600/+Andy+Goldsworthy+stone+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSOWZul1QfGelOHMGXdC0I9XcKdSVK1qWcvy3IMcx6hHqvZ48q1-2vLB1QeqPh5nBNZRTW_qDKN-NtJcul_ETjvShL8y2IIXqaO4hk9hSD444OPLFRsu92Weyd4Q-brut2qXJY6ajtPwA/s1600/+Andy+Goldsworthy+stone+egg.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andy Goldsworthy </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Goldsworthy, an environmental artist, makes a different statement with his large, stone egg defying our usual interpretation of this delicate, fragile shape. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq8aN4qqHQNSl-aX9ICL6iAmLQBFj4k4Cnq4n64dvPtnUFwFlkNiqdRT4gR_5KfahWD4uTdxXfqq0QLarYV5wxxwDing3IuT1zAs033P0QMhtpEKB06r1AF7fGJwpbvGXeUHdfBYeDKeN/s1600/Ron+Layport+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq8aN4qqHQNSl-aX9ICL6iAmLQBFj4k4Cnq4n64dvPtnUFwFlkNiqdRT4gR_5KfahWD4uTdxXfqq0QLarYV5wxxwDing3IuT1zAs033P0QMhtpEKB06r1AF7fGJwpbvGXeUHdfBYeDKeN/s1600/Ron+Layport+.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ron Layport</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally Ron Layport creates  intricate, egg shaped carvings from wood.  In all of the presented  works the material used to create them is as important as the subject matter.  Each has its own beauty. </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Eggs, simple or complicated, realistic or abstracted, may appear in some form in your decor this year. Perhaps you are ahead of the game!  Have you noticed egg motifs in your online viewing or shopping experiences?</span>

From snow to eggs

  We are hunkered down for a winter storm with 40 cm. of snow predicted.  Everything is closed so there are no schedules to keep. It's t...

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Rustic Charm in the Basement

<p>Hello all! I’m back on a rare Wednesday post to share a little spot in our basement that I spruced up this week. </p> <p>I am honored to work with Better Homes and Gardens every other month and share a few of their products! This month the theme is “rustic charm” and although I LOVE and have rustic touches throughout my house, I knew this one would work in our basement best. </p> <p>We definitely have more of a rustic/industrial look going on down there and I dig it. We had a specific spot that was crying out for some attention so I focused on that. This area is right when you come down our stairs and used to just be a spot for the kiddo’s small drum set: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zNu5LYgcO7X4yvIM_t2_DW1p8dUJg02nhscmXXlff1f_b0hdeEmsI95luEdG40oK9Hpj-K9nw0SFjvgAyk28Pfdp4ja3DBerjSGa_LRhXYRm44SLYTvABrptbydcZAdSttb6C28sQgU/s1600-h/IMG_8571%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blue gray walls basement" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uha4wpqGoPDHRQpOMvp_Qt7HlsUnH6dSyXzwoiv7KZ2olv7E5un9qu5NKkfnvDkY9xDSn6EF2pDl060_FM7qq79U5BnT7pYB49q45gDf4o9i7X94ebFdb_TPcs2T4op6unn-pCZzwIc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue gray walls basement" width="500" /></a></p> <p>My vision for this area has always been to add a table for games, Legos, whatever, and then to build a built in bench around it. That little angled wall and this skinny little area just seem to call out for it. I haven’t gotten to the bench just yet, but this spot looks so much better already now! </p> <p>I started with the light – did you know you can change a recessed light into a hanging light? There are two different adaptors to do so but I used the simpler one that usually holds a glass fixture. I actually got mine from over our kitchen sink (we have new lights over the island so I was planning to take that one down when those went in anyway) so didn’t have to spend anything on that. You can find them at any hardware store. (I shared how I installed it in the kitchen <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/diy-ballard-designs-pendant-light.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</p> <p>I wanted to do a lamp shade fixture but they need to be the kind of shade that fits down around the light bulb, not one that work with a harp. Does that make sense? It’s so the adapter can fit through. I found <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-14-Taupe-Taper-Drum-Shade/17018198" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this drum shade</a> to use: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw0HZqWNroPz-L_NVpBvf7QjyNuKfZOG9m4QbjWYHyuRE-4G0uf3NqeeiKOj_h5Ra22mWxtvBxvsNIHfCI3xszt9xewfDAQizXrCO9e9DhKeJR2nFrUwuO2Z_5OCaWmVf1r3JS8JQnLY/s1600-h/IMG_1433%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drum shade walmart" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKwOZ6Qa2IzyBcpGCU48LvRuHl05ne_VLF7u_2e3_l1rWOF6eWICBQYW6xSO6BzUBMc6wGQAD_964Zplf-SoxDhYFS5HKujT9EFUPho2r1hbMcqHJpzxSMmrppbtbA-aZQWSx-NF2VGA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="drum shade walmart" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I actually quite loved the color and fabric, but I had a different fabric in mind. It’s been years since I’ve shared how to cover a shade so I thought I would show you again. :) </p> <p>You’ll need about a yard of fabric for a lamp shade this size. I laid it down and then rolled it and marked (anyone else singing pat-a-cake right now?) about an inch to two inches on the top and bottom as I roll: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlo6Va9nfD26l8wxIcd_QnjPAQHHwL3I4tQ_IH2y49dm0YR2TB4d8EW5yABG6DnIz9JA72eAm_VjWt3euYcIWHtOw6L9WElv7JWfFYVjK5yzh5s2QqSuv2jlLw0k2ziG29jy2rRiYq2c/s1600-h/IMG_1436%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="covering lamp shade with fabric" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9e4WpFknbYl_fA8eyqKtiWVoxhO7sMdpgVi9Sii5dkGiJ6fiKTlJYYnY6KMdjVVl8Vdo2nt7c6x341yj0Uim17XmkAt_tGTT9p_h2YblgcDAlaou7QdBbBGFhCrIN8ak63EYujhqvNCY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="covering lamp shade with fabric" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You can see that I used chalk because it comes off easily and won’t be seen through the fabric. Be sure you give yourself plenty of space when you mark it though – so many times over the years I’ve cut it too close and when I lay it down again to glue it doesn’t roll quite the same way. So give yourself extra. :)</p> <p>I usually start on the seam of the lamp shade and then use hot glue to start attaching it as I roll: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXtUsnCjScNUmgtV1uE3v2HpbzoTxyZ8gZbAKHufk0NHu-_Mmu9mSAN4M0Hbuv35F6eOqG3N3jHCGm14Q_SII9vZxCIk2UXkFnyhh-T1vXUqpOt1uEC_9bmb1CwZmuvdPY_asyjp_TuM/s1600-h/IMG_1438%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cover a lamp shade with fabric" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEI5vi5swW3s8e4Bpt8v3-OWsrj7gCX7k0cd9UUrx9_KOT4DKpzocDRGYCjolm2imfGMe6x_NWbmCnVqE0lyYXYPHYWRwobh_rfERle6GkoMzWCtL0dpYAerbk19LpMWWJ-RMmUahGPw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cover a lamp shade with fabric" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This time I just used little dabs of the glue around the outside of the shade as I rolled. After I got glue on both the top and the bottom I trimmed down the fabric a little bit more: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdZq0UvEvcsth_hAj5_O_d6ccZAjd99XgeCOOxm83bNFhUylcWfQlSaGHH1cAqodMc2NgdC3RiTNnb1xO-fAbdPnmfpkBaGQgG-CY7moOTEMxoXczZseMBpaJBIWVf0zMgC4l5zMcp8o/s1600-h/IMG_1440%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY hanging lamp shade pendant" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjEjvdLs_wFE1DJBEN1YnGyzEunq2RS-8Pcdl6wD6T6g0oYpdCmn-49ir07nKfQTxstxwEvygBqM5jFxwwfopu51FibBQ0bWUQIFHMQjGxJZhTSYe-5XazWfJr9oJXMIAjK42MF3Eixk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DIY hanging lamp shade pendant" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SIoWREvoHaKN1GAoEabJd9pJ2WZomx11GOcNgvbjW0AzgnLsSW1Afm95Bzwh5Eu7LdFz5AwD4WFCVisWvCkNY3GhC4is3SdnEVCiw7pOfhLAgycGYtjsY73E3FVw7xGMjCrH2eqzA9Y/s1600-h/IMG_1441%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to cover lamp shade with fabric" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxpEdjPo9LXQisZ-MwS3Fy5KkqvuIfgSgo7lZ97ZWgKvh7_BxGFu4Gsz-QnhE9Ay8uVI4Wiw_-xxJlumZxlagAJs0tauH5AmOoTd-QrSYZATT9YnnRxti9Un74X-HonX3Pm2NBaRvGnY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="how to cover lamp shade with fabric" width="290" /></a> </p> <p>Again, don’t cut too close. I cut that section a little too short and it was hard to get it around the edge. When you’ve got it cut, put a thin bead of hot glue around the inside of the edge of the shade and wrap that fabric over. </p> <p>I fold over the end to give it a more finished seam before I glue that down: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjWqeJVQq_fIkyCP3JlYScsxzb6uS9zC9rCxjKZTz65a6zPCfX9tpomkN5bW6IOZs01WEa4AoJxmorVro9-mNf_vIEzw-q1ep-zApiMA97ZlyDKrPMrokFF3ylGeO0Epmoheo7M7r9QQ/s1600-h/IMG_1442%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="covering a lamp shade with fabric" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzU415YmRYAlkAFx0oECDpH69EZ6v244uBm8CgSZzsSFDzMUQrwLQAClEewSDMVHWl_yToZ9IiDebloEVsAAPClr7NNFF4yYPG1uiWcPspkBc0BUEVobLI7lsGnOCMqekVx72DsSkkFE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="covering a lamp shade with fabric" width="500" /></a></p> <p>If your cuts aren’t perfect (mine rarely are), you’ll probably want to add a line of ribbon around at least the bottom to cover up the edges of the fabric on the inside of the shade. Not necessary but it does clean it up a bit. :) </p> <p>Because the light bulb would stick out the bottom if I attached the lamp shade to the adapter the right side up, I had to turn the shade upside down: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrtMg_Im3WtKiW8h56E1493jIOvoT_bRptaSm-iqziI_YfwJXsS8PdD-dQopCsxjlOhnv_Po4OhFefuP75V2yiKJiXrGN_RW1q1MpNu2v4k6i1bGZCA2XxoDhm5vPG0WIOtaKZdVS_Mk/s1600-h/IMG_1452%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="recessed light to hanging light" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1JdFIGRSc_XwGoX0M3krbO78o3cfR8IOMRKtTCJEh5UISMceEyuWo3HqBLHqD1qcXiWx60P2TTITOyzNKA6hsepavz0djdTJ_ysI-HNiQPqqNRr4IdOoRChhnisFJmgQZDVhTPXOOY8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="recessed light to hanging light" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5ftpgm5kKaE0B16tEZgW0onynfVkL10UWYZnAE4958PpHNoikJ_Sj5Z7lrE7vbopI4y3YMmXkPTxVQvJW0EMVJHJSxoNDkAwOs0aBZ4zxsTvfBpauXxKNgI4BgYcueOGB21LP92RkVU/s1600-h/IMG_1474%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="recessed light adapter" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPv1qIby-NF_DgR0UYlz82tHd0DF5LK9OFra4qVBBpDRV3B-tNbTayIxUdhc-n4D-kqyzdlnjXjtqXnaZ_c_u72J7fYoo0KMuEA1nT_pe_XOIED0oPsC2f4VEBPaGqMpWfVyXKBd6qJE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="recessed light adapter" width="290" /></a></p> <p>That’s why I recommend using as much of a drum shaped shade as you can find. I actually love this inverted look here but if it was more of a classic shade it would look off. I LOVE how it turned out! </p> <p>Then I got to work on some storage for this spot. I have been wanting this <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Galvanized-Round-Bin-Silver/24534332?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_middle&strategy=SMT&visitor_id=DSWzDAyNu-tOIQEYZL8jIk&category=&client_guid=8db10349-39ee-4040-8848-471157bb3de7&customer_id_enc=&config_id=2&parent_item_id=24534331&parent_anchor_item_id&guid=30212792-06a8-498b-afad-b01a170d7493&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.0&findingMethod=p13n" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">olive bucket</a> FOREVER and found the perfect use for it down here!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WfuWgYZBYcbtKeMZR4qMOT-3zslqCIJI6wMIUPUTxc0_4__8AJaRHslmaWsN3tMcAnlle6jfbczNSMWKvMIaqhSJNt9qSHwp_2OnbRSC7826IdrptLHyqUHAR_YrxymhpY62t6d8_Ik/s1600-h/IMG_1466%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="olive bucket walmart" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpz2-9eNjByA5jD1BWFeRkd5tgVfVcEibaGglaOp3ThGPzbPtl3YfEea6lypE_vplDZhQSzFbDzLV-__alrAOTapM6EstzaXiZrFXgBWj5Cxniv9pkfTuFo297ZTzFOaalYwu3656ec8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="olive bucket walmart" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I mean, I know so many of us have kid stuff everywhere, but it’s OK to want to make it look a little nicer, right? The bucket was way bigger than I thought it would be too, it holds everything perfectly. </p> <p>When we got our new kitchen table last year I couldn’t bear to part with the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/04/ikea-table-turned-farmhouse-table.html" target="_blank">farmhouse table</a> I (half way) made a few years back. I love the look of it so we brought it down to this space and it’s PERFECT in this little corner. </p> <p>Because this is basically the Lego table (our son <strong>loves</strong> having all this space to spread out) there are usually a few sets in mid-completion laying around, as well as 489 tiny itty bitty Lego pieces everywhere. The cats get to them and then they end up all over the place. I found a simple solution in these really <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Medium-Wire-Basket-with-Chalkboard-Black/24534322" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cool bins</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHRSq6A_RGQqtn0P-x4lU7XfG8u7A2CV4utIrDFviYR7jxmPsH2wwFvt4hGqG2ISzm7LGnNH-4WTa0SvX5Xq2jnCoDsBYip7P8GKCuXBgpAEdrBW5Wo9HJVAjUY5Zl8ahiMQTi8FakbU/s1600-h/IMG_1463%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metal baskets with liners walmart" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIF4G3GIGliCYCx5cvVpzPnT3jbB9XhV9P01Qn7JpuIOsuAaYgiBuT-Ue9AMyvVwpQ21nAFaNOdnRoyoqxKC4aJCutEt1mI3_dnLivv035ModM3qsIKMZYeDFui0nTdoHHki_sVDaklo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="metal baskets with liners walmart" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I love the rustic look but love that they are fabric lined even better. No worries about little pieces getting stuck inside and I can take them off and wash them if needed. Whoot! </p> <p>Since we don’t have chairs on that side of the table just yet I slid them under there. One holds little pieces and one holds sets he has yet to open. (He just had a birthday and Christmas in December so he has a few right now.) I LOVE that I can just swipe everything right off the table into the bins. Easy. </p> <p>I found this <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Quatrefoil-Wall-Mirror/21806611" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">quatrefoil mirror</a> as well (only $15!!) and added it to the wall behind the table</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bA7sO-gzfaAKrp0UyG0F4P86Sf77i_LGR-t0BW-C3XJeoV-KlT3DtYMf4aO8lWaPNG94sUx_UEt092MEa31zO1Hulc7nRFFFCGn1QTCupD1hR9VTJQpAsgP8zPcL8gQXIzkp_E0VTeY/s1600-h/IMG_1470%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="basement craft table" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MdE33C6RdQ0NQ5jGk2FymCB_Vg2W245ooPdf2E2mv6Enh5Iog59PQKcpHskeJJkWneyyS_uVzVWQd7E_t2vU-KKrXczZN65W0KMkiyxzAv4E6j5nnoYY-bbtB1s-DtCvEVfgEaNASAs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="basement craft table" width="500" /></a>I moved the guitars (I use that word guitar loosely here) to either side to add a little something to each side of the mirror. I was SO pleased with how it all came together! </p> <p>You can see that I still have some things to do down here – that little access door needs to be painted and the pillar needs to be finished up as well. But these little changes made this corner feels so much more purposeful and it’s so much more functional!:</p> <p></p> <p><img alt="IKEA table norden table hack" border="0" height="683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7-1qzEKVHsOE_rAF2JpYwD5pOQYtxxOaxfGoePzXCw3EkLkri_J_Rq25TmehHNibXw3GDC4WL9VSOlQ8WvC4N0zfEVxtWY3H0en9N7MdtcofNU7QDXgexIjdtuzQcB3ge_pICEGwox8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IKEA table norden table hack" width="500" /></p> <p>The light hangs in the middle of the table from the front, but from the side it’s not perfect. It doesn’t bother me though – I just love the look of the hanging light: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ287MRr-7LyGLE9q4tMvHCRUtjrDUtSgtJO678rCSgZtKPO1hwKNqNo4a22Z0vUD5rRbDqLa5NqEyiWcgSsu-P32jwtQWOTcYoEAH-TN4bVv8IpT_X6ow673UuHBE2kvYPj9YTtVfPSw/s1600-h/IMG_1471%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY drum shade pendant" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtas4dB2CrrDj4W6aTsipwGl9IfU5Pqu4Cu8YdRhSoPWd6vkCCcwWMqtN7ktX9ejZkkSLUWxUcjP1LeOcnVBCu37uLSyUMNGm86QCdv7WzBxj3zmi7Zn7tC1othcvwCymKE2plEIO_SU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY drum shade pendant" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Here’s a look at it before and now with the table: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSuXCkKBB0cwoUk8tHhNFnAg6XVbe6Sj2cMSkKVUWnS_r2IgaK5fECMcbu0aJGryib6t7xvCgZ7jyrs3F4kZ5WZNNem2vkooO9HjDcYeuQYFJILLQ6BAYUUZpF75eaV099OMhsgPNkao/s1600-h/IMG_8571%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuLOg9e408mz_6J5BsxxNracFwzNy4AFkB7rboWUXNCQ62Va8XCi_C99rjIj5B1C2L90lV0tMCNxC_M1UW6zOtdsvq82LIAWF5UZ2EHzDeGf5TPNDtLhEIHCfKrLtl1O6vCsoUJr66y4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSBPuet932p31m_Vwc_muw0GFccXChmdr5wqI7-4mu-ocQOOZyrHWiwj-BgX0Jlad_Mq3CG0lBsJo8f5hYqmQTFsx6i-rYzAjUnKy9dfKPr5rhYy9FAxt1Mr1i6BXfiYmTSXuHkFOHYs/s1600-h/IMG_1449%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drum shade light fixture" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrQWmM_A5tdeVnKo_n08W97oSAUjfI_CjChoYAP4gGY_InAJRUQeytwZUNlAIf_6czY003bSc-ntIsN3YpYfw4Ud0bvHSe3BQDT_Zg6lf_bab4O9XIpRYnLWC0u5dZKgZcYAvVtJMt80/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="drum shade light fixture" width="290" /></a> </p> <p align="left">It all came together and adds a little more charm for sure! :)</p> <p align="left">Have you tried one of those adaptor kits before? The possibilities are really endless with them! And that olive bucket…I just love it. I may be stealing it in the summer for big hydrangea bouquets…wouldn’t that be gorgeous? </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tH1csvXgwJE/VNtvT8sdNXI/AAAAAAAAu00/RLRAHZY2bM0/s1600-h/Network-Badge-300x298%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Network-Badge-300x298" border="0" height="298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EQhnocoD868/VNtvUuFiyVI/AAAAAAAAu08/1aGkMKNvgGs/Network-Badge-300x298_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Network-Badge-300x298" width="300" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="2"><em>I received compensation from BHG at Walmart for my time and participation in the BHG Live Better Network. All experiences and opinions are my own. Follow BHG on </em></font><a href="https://twitter.com/bhglivebetter" target="_blank"><font size="2"><em>Twitter</em></font></a><font size="2"><em>, </em></font><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BHGLiveBetter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><font size="2"><em>Facebook</em></font></a><font size="2"><em>, </em></font><a href="http://instagram.com/bhglivebetter_" target="_blank"><font size="2"><em>Instagram</em></font></a><font size="2"><em> or </em></font><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/bhglivebetter/" target="_blank"><font size="2"><em>Pinterest</em></font></a><font size="2"><em>.</em></font></p> <p><em><font size="2">Affiliate link included for your convenience. </font></em></p>

Rustic Charm in the Basement

Hello all! I’m back on a rare Wednesday post to share a little spot in our basement that I spruced up this week. I am honored to work with...

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Fireflies in the trees

<p>So I’ve wanted to do this little project for the longest time, and I finally got the courage up this weekend. It involved one little part that totally had me intimidated. </p> <p>I’ve always wanted to hang DIY glass lanterns along the trees in our backyard – I’ve seen it done with mason jars and regular jars and I’ve planned to do it for years. But I knew it would mean I’d have to drill a hole in the bottom of the glass to do it. </p> <p>Otherwise they will fill up with rain water and I’d have to dump them regularly and I know myself and myself would never do that. So they’d become little mosquito breeding grounds and those guys like me enough as it is. </p> <p>SO. I knew all along I’d need to drill holes in them to avoid mosquito production and my well being. :) I finally bit the bullet and just did it this weekend. My original plan was to use mason jars, but I didn’t want to put a hole in the ones I have because I use them quite a bit during the fall and holidays. So I took a trip to Goodwill, where I’ve gotten EVERY ONE of my mason jars over the years, and they had none. None!! Well, I did find one <font size="2">itty bitty baby</font> one marked at a dollar, which just annoyed me so I put it back. </p> <p>You know how I feel about <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/to-goodwill-or-not.html" target="_blank">Goodwill prices</a> lately. :) </p> <p>So I was just going to use food jars and wire, but then while shopping the other day I found some super cute mason jar versions for $2.99 each (Kirklands). For that price it was worth it to just get them instead of DIYing – they had cute wire already and everything. They are SO much cuter than a jar too! </p> <p>Here’s what I ended up needing to drill the holes: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Awxe3mbERXanz1A8V_xtX1n2jJ93bATCOEzjbr1JIqCgJ6MpZB0RSd3B80DDHNlhd82APm_HWTm7gGh-IpLbjqAR0qcvbfGAf3FQ2Kf1OnepzqQHzsZj-QB3kdNgB8Fbq6x6fBl3dDI/s1600-h/IMG_9305%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drilling into glass" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV2k3AOEGAEUJdcxZau6PK-m0nCGrfPizclsVJfLaOuYrjyiUGHCN15LNNzZzMgkb-Ohhyphenhyphenbq1qMGVlPSdusLzph0so3LWGwNMqSHdsCLctrWCiIyHavvcs80kAasJ22xfxNI1IbzmRfk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="drilling into glass" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The drill bit gets hot so you need to have water near the spot you’re drilling. You can do that by just pouring it constantly, but you need three hands to do that. (Or you can stop constantly to pour.) I found the easiest way was to fill a bucket just higher than the height of the jar. </p> <p>I picked up a drill bit just for this, and it was pricey at $18, but I know I’ll use it for other things in the future. There are two types of glass cutting bits: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3moaCn_A2SXe26DYV_AS8TmihnqZZCgZgTY1NvhszQq-2dBa-MMmxCzLjubL4uMveDxpvPjbTSGkSEQwPmX_Nwxl5rBEBKQ3MSs8EKu6aUey7NZ3bNY00ksqJwEzcH583VUirwVQhgk/s1600-h/DW5578%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="glass drilling bit" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKmKt2p3TeH-KNzhR0PXl_YCx2sJW5Lj8-x0hVCCIpiaBVQR8pgwXYEjlttk0RthHkKeYOPFj7EX1fh5Z1MfLQ11UbRCpsXLrX5OzM4P2nglEWghPsr3E8hGhg60HkEwJEG2M4kdhMKc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="glass drilling bit" width="197" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzfQMvvNXcpt7PfHt4b-rCQzmIFHROvImA6bMDZhyphenhyphenTzUI83p7xYTcb98HFIHkD7c39_OfxFfHSVZGF-05EjkRfhzv4AtVPYBPl0EsE6EpWGhiBXtaW4eDRPJl5raD7G-mkTCaVdfmccI/s1600-h/000346372342%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="glass drilling bits" border="0" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5lJ0jfMtf403WG9nJT1X_sGfsi8a77wlf28ik_IdbnMeaPgPSIzwD-4VnQPPXk9EUJQ-LHIRf9wAUuXf1JbTbDRkbm32EIBapyQMP1ALX6zy0InKX3hOuKodIkX2bx2hnlNk8lQY92M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="glass drilling bits" width="290" /></a></p> <p>I used the one on the left. From my understanding you won’t be able to use these on tempered glass, so don’t try it on that. (It just won’t work.) </p> <p>Getting started was the hardest part. I was seriously wondering if I’d be able to even do this because the bit kept skidding all over the place. You need to start at an angle at first, not flat – so the bit can get a grip on the glass. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLXK1Z0gnnBGu28pnwOKS0A5-7hJDUXvqdTKuk4CNy0MUKtwABAKEEJkaJobNahGyvwjDLxoIfqTIJtfkXLD672mQBlDcZwotoYf9srerQACN5_RfJevWUTGofRuQDHY8x3bv1WFtxso/s1600-h/IMG_9313%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to drill a hole in glass" border="0" height="654" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2oBSpLGfvevb6QWJSmT8BvFVB4cgF9snEeI0AjPYcd95tY4DCh8GDlH5VV28h7aTky45IDipCL34KZsC2Rl3GKMo3v0pg4TdmnpudWdHN3g7v8pgDvgL9d5ddqEx3qlu6yXtb7On_0k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to drill a hole in glass" width="464" /></a></p> <p>This pic was a little later when I had straightened it out a bit more, but it gives you an idea of how I did it in the bucket.</p> <p>Once you get that grip it’s easy, but that’s the hard part:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzgoR1Li1tqHpQQAxtNTvcsB94p4UZ9Ucrgkb1HqHqsObiRlbHy5SjxwOKIcS6zG5B2PMa89XG7bETG3ir__TyGDbT-MYYFdVbZH5tPunfGW53pHgxBRetKvsS8JYlCG3cyPqthzXonE/s1600-h/IMG_9306%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="how to put a hole in glass" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHy7p7zlrVbxUNjHu2OYNqQVnwUbMdN7Znz6RXQ1FHk0jaPLW6qgu0Do3g4u9Mudd1QZrk1qPHK87958z1-8CUgKAWq9uTeGDwLO3bbv6fSQvXnbyoh1CmJuyxLWVmIoiavaVOeQ1XFU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to put a hole in glass" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Those half moon shapes are where I started. Once you get those going you can straighten out the bit and put it straight down: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimir0CqvAARYKYeGLdTqXQBm0rzl5Th7qHYnk7sbGr4QvDM-YuZvO9usyRYzEq1gRv50AjosDINgeOtgN6S3kDB01cIHaM5Mj9U3jleUitD8VqOxoEuYbvDQaNS4rc1ZDx6TL5-Lqiqbk/s1600-h/IMG_9307%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hole to drill into glass" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmN5Sle_Oc2fuzPTRmVhvhXdrQ5EE9W9tqxZBbAJmlqtYaTy7L5FAl7FiOgmpJatg2mswdGOQJWqw2NZgmKZ1LcAwPMa39nai2T_eSbEYTtaC9drsq7wE81os4BaKidoiFbkbKpibaps/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hole to drill into glass" width="500" /></a></p> <p>By the way – use gloves, eye protection and if you are not doing this in a bucket of water, I’d use a mask as well. With the water there was no need for that. </p> <p>OH, and use a<em> cordless</em> drill. No water and electricity please. :) </p> <p>When you get the bit going it’s not bad at all – you just have to be patient. You don’t want to push too hard, just let the bit do it’s thing. I’d say each time took about 30-45 seconds of drilling once I got a good grip: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRhqiugpIKZRUce0xdISj7zl0pH4mril6muSmkadfuL_fULSEH5CQhEnxWVYpmMAHidK2yXqE1OKuyBE2mMr1KYscz_N7rOCsO2oVhgnCBUUxh6yH8iWKpkcy7Ia9hdRLSnRJv_8z5WE/s1600-h/IMG_9308%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drilling a hole in glass" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKqw4RQDQ_srpbl4UPEAMWY0bSmps0mbWrtX3tGu3ioYxiFF868aOU6RvX2BSHKEr_2uyXWJ8JAwXaHM4hWRnE-q9B_8uZnnGbP0FW_PH0CkhNreSqWjja1pyZ92JUYIoT24W3h383f4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="drilling a hole in glass" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Here’s what you’re left with:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINk_AeP1lHXZXdNS0XagG4e7BncFmETi66e69rlykffzFYNdLWcB1Nw5_Wa0Hr7McQ1G4WL6Vhj8u_L5ptTp839srzul3FNNbdnMMR7m7cgVr4K7MK-XUZbgWd6RiKVzEiciJegLpJ9g/s1600-h/IMG_9312%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsxYV_-ElTnyqG9bDKHbSqylByXwtabRLRw6eaG-9BT4WTZQoQABcF5Wl8dXkcILw7MAkfVtRJTYd7ytYm4JsOyI1qkSWTjeknUJdBTN7fJdvaZZX40bHYBvUscrQAGWVvO7jrWLcVoI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I got overconfident by my fourth one and pushed too hard: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUS1W4FJIcaN4Z2Va9chxzRtEmhGp6D8Is5qQlZ3p3whJABNIGvW72ldxywvwcKih-L44Iw296BAg2LO9P5f_DGRq7xL52pt-aAz1MUT2AEgCxtlf9P8JWylAoTxEUEvpzWdzOSPCWrA/s1600-h/IMG_9310%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drilling into glass safety" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT88SCcFJOuVDBjOYsya8sz4RVXKQiagpAEB1baK-sqSAS086-XjLKcf52Xuv2xYiSP2S84QmJR1jriSmtY2q6aDUtc52gEPcVZIk9ThA3_YcYJvZ9LuYwy2GH74qz5EmSa1NvuBhIFM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="drilling into glass safety" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Nice. I was pushing the drill too hard and it pushed through. So just be patient! Patience is really not my thing. </p> <p>I seems intimidating but honestly it wasn’t bad at all. Having the glass under water was a huge help because I wasn’t worried about the bit getting hot or glass flying everywhere. Overall it was actually kind of a cool DIY. </p> <p>I’ve had little indoor/outdoor tea lights from IKEA for a about a year for this project: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfiLYLbDsIpOj7a7oT3ad_eOKpD_wePjzc3et8TorSk-GSzK0GwBdR69EikTOjH1Jcgxnmr_RTSwEXMsKAhKUHT0DIa2CdBOhMr7WBL-mQIPQupYsYxIwr_jCrVz8dABrT0rL5h8ZpEs/s1600-h/IMG_9315%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="mason jar lanterns" border="0" height="707" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpHOKPp_nohKUP6FbamZ9xQqVyRMp7SQ7vTsn5amKCHl7qHF13NiHinqzCqJmBRAl9wbOkGx5QATkfO79W01KxZCADA6ZCep0TZEQOVdrt8c_OrNj1IJ2l6_mXZ4k4OHrJQDwhEnjQIs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mason jar lanterns" width="500" /></a></p> <p>By the way, I used the wire from the jar that broke to make another lantern with a jar from the fridge. :) </p> <p>I hung them from the trees along the back: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHOYXKmMJ2iavGgqUl6K4RpsPoziezdenvhdKR5nQvGD-7VY3NKKEf9a5L5fl_zgX0d-mz0y1hwPigERxXbhiY9NNhHBFACSQbLaVBWUk6KD3rrLobpTPWdT4Pxz2Cyj8TGWuTGlWcTw/s1600-h/IMG_9317%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="mason jar lanterns in trees" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadigPj4IsUXGHN2Ht8SVT3bx_8vDxKKE33Ij2IO1pFT5pr4fGj7xrQuD4qtEyQdmW3OpVK_Iv01xXyBBkbnHFyLoRHcAlJ645c737K8QfC5Aa-z2MeH5q55ypZuvMRyc7kNFAzTRTvDM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mason jar lanterns in trees" width="500" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And waited for the sun to go down: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrm8yLNcww0zO7pdwt86Gj-CnJUHZCJPloHPvjpgHkO52SDOj3j2N5qMqxsr7NXD7qo-VGLGX7oORiZ4Mhk9hNRqg4ZhnVf3ESVBEwJl4rBsgzqgP6L6qxgvRQq5gBG_g4HuWw9eA2C3s/s1600-h/IMG_9322%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY mason jar lanterns" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSohKq28KCf4Gza8H-4ZucclID-I3EL833czJlWi12awlRY_JWv1ClT3pZOiOV24E8YSFX6S4rbTNuJngl99Hjrf3JrxGUpRd7yRQr9hiIZAB3gCvCBngNAx3t8Gkz6Sfgc5B7yXOert4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY mason jar lanterns" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I have these tea lights in white and yellow and love the yellow out there – I feel like they look more like fireflies or something. :) </p> <p>I can’t find the lights online at IKEA though. I hope they still carry them because I want more: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGX-BhMOOx-b_B8nhyphenhyphencEx3N8QRYcy1Gnju668VUAv8ZNcJnM8pIhdJ_rOCdWMfqq2xDd6MZ3Ocpih4mN0p5YseuI8wEIssN0Vr_0QfD_hkwogZKeJUPGlLRrC0T1FHwJsU3Q9K5OaDNA/s1600-h/IMG_9328%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="jar lanterns for outside" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OPUfyJr-kgrnhSYcsnHsDhLdOYJ-RrEdvtUPz_MGYTn7_jd8z3w083_VE7YFBqtQtkI750Nes0QMReFtMKljlk_DpdVrlBhnwHr1rrnGoZq4y2Yj-4Q2dfn9ZblDbjYRiRt3Dx9XdTo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="jar lanterns for outside" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Now I want to do this along the whole length of the yard – how pretty!:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7EJ3oAgF9GQNSSVUSedTw-ZJa-5-etU5nDYhdMyBXuHj7SvljW9mRivxkiVICeMiUUwDdJok21Ose4Ja6OCwgLdtp-DRxRDX15ifkUmvxLJ4_VnIL0yTN0YfwU3Y0f9cPD7h4DY3jqg/s1600-h/IMG_9331%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mason jar lanterns in trees" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisMQ3J6hoavJ2WTa9wIfHXPIPdq62bHCiulxuwZbKJgm3IgOXlHN1K69jiywoPf0OIrJar4VNPTFUCm2ripgLyt12DlpXPlG8geVX4GVBegXGIfel6JwWE4qiUZ0t9PGzOhFSsfqEKSM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mason jar lanterns in trees" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I want them everywhere. ALL THE JARS. </p> <p>Of course we have to turn on each light but that’s no biggie –- we won’t use these every night. I’m pretty much in love with them though: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9OlO2c4NSe8L-yrRc2DL2yOF6uuyU6r6AkGZ6iUsdUoGlz3gTvQzaetafE_-02fbZm4L008XR87bIJxW9cDyKd3jAD98hp-nC6GXFaaxKu4iqFEsX3kbiUxuECqfbvCELaL-VXyRUNQ/s1600-h/IMG_9352%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="mason jar lights in trees" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwC3zYogusLT8Pg-EdhigvWxvr0wHAl2D44iZGKNLAUurVr7CvzoMeofgmX-2qHb8UgcVxkNv5T8lfJo5-9NgOYCWQDM-fYfntH8ktUwPXnxO8p8HclnFxSCg0UQ6nrVO7ZUj3TCPzGw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mason jar lights in trees" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’ll be making more but will be raiding the fridge for jars to the do the rest. </p> <p>I love how they turned out and love that they’ll have very little upkeep – I’ll probably have to clean them every month or so, but they are secure (I made sure not to hang them too close to each other so they won’t bang together during storms) and will drain easily. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I knocked two things off my list – a project I’ve been wanting to do forever and a DIY that I’ve always been too intimidated to attempt. :) Here me roar. </p> <p>The possibilities are endless now that I know how to drill through glass. Have you ever tried it? I’ve seen tutorials on cutting wine bottles and that looks interesting as well. </p>

Fireflies in the trees

So I’ve wanted to do this little project for the longest time, and I finally got the courage up this weekend. It involved one little part th...

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Barn light love

<p>Hey hey all! I’m back today with a little progress in the mud room. I am SO excited – I love when things come together the way they look in my head. :) </p> <p>Because this space used to be a laundry/mud room combo, and it drove me absolutely mad, and was always a disaster:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0AAFWjNHwYnO8wN1BYn6tCmAMg0XLx-fzUXR_OraGYDNrdtYGY-3pILzMps0aje6hyxJ62fpVU5qVJWOV6JISJrAhqXD7lFhB-MfwU8yDFSbNyxBPWBLJkl45gsoYU7hrMg-SreXko0/s1600-h/IMG_065432.jpg"><img alt="pit of despair" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC28TnLB-7t7cga0HWQHLsTa5z83fCMFwAGbjEjxzP9Zs5i3tCilIuHZl2eFRJtUd8D0Cl_HlN-jXkdm-_1yrI8JFAFh-O6vJ5zo2UlMjN0TrOy66DpB-ukjHhjKPfNA_Z_wq3VRAdQs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="pit of despair" width="320" /></a></p> <p>We had outlets in that little nook where the washer and dryer were. I kept them when I added the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-build-mud-room-bench.html" target="_blank">DIY bench</a> and the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/paint-and-floors-mud-room-progress.html" target="_blank">beadboard</a>. I’m not sure what we’ll ever use them for, but I’m not one to ever cover up an outlet: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Exsox7ArQls3fx2aoJ_HCDrsZPCBEQeM67PSd6SBnJC6sWz2y4Sa0k4IhlDNyVtgpxNRb6t556RVwsZGP_vzdwMg4zvJcETytFkb2J9Tr9QP1990gZMKXCjyvLcUqGRlhmC6Aii8E3k/s1600-h/IMG_82142.jpg"><img alt="DIY mud room bench" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsD6R9YWYBCqyIGh8Sci8pZt2-DnU_KBxFGkIFp4km_QdtbPn0tTwp0JerX0M1iVjpol-aRlFDZazM9zzjh7-pzYEsn3c2lJkRvF7jxfMlJlXgoCVZ7Pf3zFSV2OWELu-21Ctrp54-_A/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY mud room bench" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You never know when you might want them! </p> <p>So because the two outlets were perfectly spaced on the wall I got an idea a few months back, and it finally came to fruition:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJiu_6dKeO39oMEgzIFvKNPz7uNIUWF-9xxZo6T1PtJ-jivx1P13x-5eF7KEZNYcPbLanZqdtaHvB7YbGyvzLRz9PHQ9NZTFDI1a6jkNcW4QbgES3mG-uIgK6VHZAcLWZhKGWJ_uC0ro/s1600-h/IMG_92053.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="barn lights" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBSXc9WoMaaRu0Cibs3ORTBGd0qnLKNJiGAz_KJg_hmrHBKeH0BzGpZhK9sh0tSEhcTl6TB-USc2-LWCHVlI1vSI7X8ZTQwX1uuSV_EP6GG_Csxc01MUeAL5LHHuQTaEAEkyaLV2xrZY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="barn lights" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Sconces baby! Yeah! </p> <p>Our electrician friend has been crazy busy so I figured I would do it when he was available. He was free a few days ago so for $150 I had these installed in a couple hours! </p> <p>Did you know if you have an outlet, you can add a sconce above it? You just need to tie into the electrical and add a switch – no biggie. ;) Actually, it doesn’t seem that hard, so I’m determined to figure out how to do this on my own. I have so many spots in the house I’d like to add some wall lighting. </p> <p>I am so thrilled with how they look! Ack, I just love them: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguExL8vXnusgA1xylXbdSvCtm4KIBuF3NWno47qBM1oh20jNOhc72GjFhVq_PIVzIzJ4ootAT2nqGUheDifdmZFU8wc8gtoasfk3fmdUZ7zPsq_ONQxeRWIZeESQI-fCKWN49H0qQx7Dk/s1600-h/IMG_91762.jpg"><img alt="mud room beadboard " border="0" height="738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWBrs3K3S2grQEh3bHLkkG1b3BjAvsmxmyDmbE5GzPfAr8-VXaR7aawcXakMXFyykBpekgzQz75z_ARpGHqkiS8qpHXepbtgLn-naQz9VSse-YZPXtLBVRkbRK4zDkNj70Do7GuGW8do/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="mud room beadboard " width="500" /></a></p> <p>I was so happy I celebrated by painting the door trim in the room! Everything still needs one more coat of glossy white, but I’m just happy to not have the bare wood staring at me every day. </p> <p>The galvanized barn lights were from <a href="http://m.lowes.com/pd_190827-76219-AAW1691STEEL_0__?productId=1054411" target="_blank">Lowe’s</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYprnk4C2obfuPwrJS8gXoyAKJtkFJRZqdH0a6tMAc4BkunIvyH03NFiedGWDQJVHZqRATKzr-VwBAIRKc_mlCC4DQKdz1VSjd8JbV1Z2O255Hl0yWk_YDxSfIIiObOu8GVnotokArkXw/s1600-h/725916100995lg2.jpg"><img alt="galvanized barn lights" border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jHFJJwoS6fDu3qYMHZqEBiG6196aUENy_alEWf7TTOhOhZydLOAwa3mqKQrYoX5kuW4h7CnV3lPT6d1R6ZAlN0rt9M1Jdqge7MS8hDBskcSfFKr-FmsCaML_gu4ix0hXvLxoZAbmwR0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="galvanized barn lights" width="276" /></a> </p> <p>They don’t match the hardware in there exactly, but I’m not worried about it. It’s the same lighter tone. It is SO nice to have added light in here: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_4AOyfXOojodX4u_rTJXSidJkXxLCkIDd3YLOeJXiUGnM5d9hNm_rMGxyzQDTsVPgu38cbWfc2W5PHwIPoa3bu6_jHKOJABVEvWwvEe0cVgo1skS2SL7GPDcjWdAU5NCIQroT9XzhuE/s1600-h/IMG_91795.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGhqGnzkY2ZTerh4VBRWc9r5FeVgDUZykhAH8rWz0BnxuG3mSRIGxVnvb4VzHWadUAJoNJjL6N8E3I-Kpyq434lFm1bfrXnfxNYAC_EHRpww1Im-qxXj2Cv4EoZPX0M6C4WmgVr0I-Gg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a>The main light in the room is a fluorescent light, and while it is very bright, it’s so dang ugly. :) I’m thinking of replacing it so it will be nice to have another light source.</p> <p>I just think they are adorable: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWXIuxC_vcJJo6anuT8cg6AM2bA9PPsvG05CsJlOICuV7m60vnM-liw3-TBXmiVUmR0SiPoXg4C9sr55Hc4WeuPErQW61z3OgM7jmlGVJhoiYstXUEdiyZOHrTWCy9ogt6y336jPkpbw/s1600-h/IMG_91842.jpg"><img alt="bench made of kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDHnszHTjdiChRPAE12nO6frNdb3j8H4xC1gQzl2zXIsv2YrU0rI0vnaaNMHvZYQZPcsdpH_SVPnuucoHPse-Th05HnGoJC224cSPn-djgyzVPSsbLH1p_c3wKLwOW1RLjliXSAahTrc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bench made of kitchen cabinets" width="488" /></a></p> <p>That little mark on the wall above the pillows needs to be touched up – that was where he was going to put the light switch but our old dryer vent was there, so it’s on the right instead. </p> <p>It’s coming together! This room has undergone a HUGE transition and it’s functioning so well for us. I’m so grateful we were able to move the washer and dryer to the basement. </p> <p>Our cats LOVE that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/no-sew-bench-cushion.html" target="_blank">bench cushion</a>, by the way. One of them is laying on it every time we walk in the door: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiQqs_KRgoQtN8o0pNf2kEjuaqaj1LN64Mn7Uc2zYwZPZxEcpQbcWYg_wPveeO7HCAt9_6RV9zeIeuyNsAzdMC9YkS_mJri7A08yJFWMQLQbWwRABsccccwFb8y8pcoTD4ujjb9nFxDo/s1600-h/IMG_91892.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="DIY mud room bench" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt0KtmnvGUcxLSYPjk3c95YNIOyvB0hb-0gbp_FRs5dgWbEpvoMXwvLr9r5qzo9gcG38V7zu9_EuZ86LR7TIG8aXl6Ni974OKApMHQfD1SEJeXE2mEMwOhqLP181iAN-HwZfi3sdeX7Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY mud room bench" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Even our elusive Maine Coon came out for photos. ;) He doesn’t show up here on the blog often. </p> <p>I’m getting closer to the end of the DIY list for this room…a little more painting, touch ups, the storage on the wall above the bench, crown molding…and then some fun final touches like art and a few accessories. Can’t wait!! </p> <p>Have you added sconces anywhere in your home? I’ve used plug in versions a few times in our house – in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/master%20bedroom" target="_blank">master</a>, the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/basement" target="_blank">basement</a> and two in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/big%20boy%20room" target="_blank">Bub’s room</a>. Love the look of them! </p>

Barn light love

Hey hey all! I’m back today with a little progress in the mud room. I am SO excited – I love when things come together the way they look in ...

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