Design

A Few Good Lights

September 30, 2014

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Replacing builder grade lighting with something you love, that you pick for the space specifically will go a very long way in adding value and personality to your home, I think. We love replacing fixtures! So far, we’ve replaced the one in the half bath, Faye’s room, added sconces to the reading room, the guest room, the dining room and today we’re adding two more to the list with a newly installed light in the entry and Greta’s room! Both fixtures replaced old boob lights which are about as builder grade as they get.

I didn’t get a good “before shot” of the entry one, but you can see it in the photo below. A reddish boob light. My least favorite kind of boob light, really. Reddish? No. No. No.

IMG_7126

The one in Greta’s room was a lot less offensive in white, although the glass was very tarnished and her room needed something with more personality.

greta's room before

We ended up going for the light from Shades of Light that we featured in the original mood board for her room and it does not disappoint!

IMG_7879

The gold interior is very gold and shiny! And the white exterior of the shade has a nice shine to it too. The shape is whimsical. It’s just really perfect for her room and adds so much. I had a moment of doubt after the original mood board. Maybe I should go with something more school-esque, especially after I saw this fixture. I am so glad I stuck with the original plan! Her room is shaping up to be less and less about any school theme and more and more about everything she loves, which is how it should be.

That light that I fell for, that almost went in Greta’s room, I decided would be perfect in the entry replacing the red boob light.

IMG_7845

It’s a little industrial/modern farmhouse/completely us. We’re always a little worried about semi-flushmount fixtures with our height (Chris is 6’4″ and I’m 6′) but this one doesn’t come close to our heads and the clear glass shade really helps things feel airy and light. We picked up an Edison bulb at our local lighting center. Originally we put in a 75 watt we had just to see and nearly blinded ourselves. Clear glass + 75w bulb–forget it. This 40w gives a nice glowy light off that’s easy on the eyes.

IMG_7846

So that’s two more lights checked off the replace list. I have been looking for the perfect one for our stairwell and I haven’t found the one yet, but that may be next on the list. Also, I know a lot of you are anxious to see Greta’s finished room. We are, too! Haha. We are working in real time and are waiting on a couple more things to arrive in the mail so I hope these sneak peeks will tide you over.

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What do you think?

  1. Steph Nelson says:

    Are you working on your replacing your bench in the entry? I know you mentioned something about it. When looking at that top pic, some weathered wood seems like it would fit right into the aesthetics of your home.
    The new lights are nice. I especially love the second one.

  2. qs777 says:

    Any chance of telling us what the reading light is over Greta’s bed? Not sure if you mentioned it before.

    Love what you chose. As a fellow 6-footer, it is hard for me to choose a semi-flushmount even though there are so many I love. May have to try this one.

  3. Amanda says:

    Great choices! The new light fixtures look beautiful

  4. Meg says:

    Great updates! So much better than the boob lights. Love ’em!

  5. AlisonG says:

    Very nice. Both a big improvement. I agree with you choosing your own picked lighting makes a big difference.

  6. Mary says:

    Man, I love Greta’s light fixture! So pretty! I’d take it pretty much anywhere in my house.

    We (on purpose) have a boob light fixture in our basement. When we moved in, there was just a bare bulb at the bottom of the stairs. My parents gave us a boob light they took out of their house. Everytime I go downstairs, I just shake my head in shame. But then I remind myself that it’s better than what we did have.

  7. veronica says:

    Great choices! I love how Greta’s room is looking (well of what I can see), she is a lucky girl :)
    Looking forward to seeing the final reveal. I am also working on my son’s room, slowly. It is about making it about them, isn’t it. I sometimes forget but luckily my husband kindly will remind me.

  8. Wow I had no idea you guys were so tall!

  9. Meagan Briggs says:

    Boob lights! hahahaha I still crack up every time. I’d take a few boob lights right now because we don’t have ANY overhead lights in any of our bedrooms. Pretty stupid! It drives me nuts!

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