Decor

The New Cabin Chandeliers + What’s Working and What’s Not!

January 14, 2019

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Just when everyone was getting used to the bladeless ceiling fans, we go and upgrade them.  Previously, there were two ceiling fans here–the blades were removed for painting and we never put them back up because we had already ordered two of these large, round 12 light chandeliers for the main area at the a-frame.

When we were deciding about chandeliers, we really wanted to embrace the modern rustic vibe we’re going for throughout the whole space and what says that more than these modern, clean-lined, wagon-wheel type chandeliers.`After I showed my sister, she started singing Gaston’s song from Beauty and the Beast. Nailed it. 

The slanted ceiling boxes holding the electrical were already in place (and couldn’t easily be moved), we had them painted to blend in with the walls so Chris was able to get them wired pretty straightforward, and with a couple extra hands. We purchased these LED tubular bulbs for each light. The shape makes it even more modern, the coloring is spot on and they are super energy-efficient so we won’t have to change them often.

Flipping them on for the first time–it changed everything! We definitely want to add a dimmer, but we realized how much literal darkness we’d been living in.

The chandeliers were a big, HUGE step in the right direction, but there are a few things that are in place that we’ve learned are all wrong, or just aren’t working like we thought they would.

1. The Living Room Rug–You may remember this rug used to live in our bedroom at our primary home. We moved it up here when we switched things up in our bedroom but we definitely need something wider (it’s a 9×12) and something darker to ground the space.

2. The Green Living Room Chairs--I want to LOVE these chairs because they are so quintessential cabin chairs. But the snaps will. not. stay. snapped. I might glue them in place and reassess my feelings.

3. The Dining Room Table–This is a saga. We ordered a really great round table for the space. I thought after I bought it, it would be okay to share with you, but because it hadn’t shipped yet, the shipping kept getting pushed farther and farther out. It was December, then January, then March. I started looking for another table because I didn’t want to wait until March and I found the Ryan table from McGee & Co. It was in stock and should be at our place by December 21st. December 19th, we got an email from McGee & Co saying that they were so sorry, but there was an issue with shipping and they didn’t want to leave us empty-handed for the holidays so they let us borrow the Bettina dining table. (Chris met them half way and picked it up!) And then, well, we fell for the Bettina table! And then the Ryan table showed up. And we loved that, too. But ultimately, we just JUST decided to stick with the Bettina table. With a darker living room rug coming in and a darker island (more on that in a minute), it’s the beautiful break the space needs.

4. The Dining Room Chairs-– We are in love with these chairs. Despite tripping on the backs a dozen times and the leather pads getting pulled off with every pass by a cute little baby. But, truly everyone has stubbed their toe on the legs that slant back a little too far (including me) and I’m still like–I love them! (Although Chris has threatened to return them) Love makes us do crazy things. On a positive note, they are very comfortable to sit on for long periods of time and I’m determined to find a way to get the pads to stay in place. We thought about doing a built in bench on the other side, but we may do a regular bench instead so people can easily get in and out.

5. The Kitchen Island-– We purchased our current island from etu home at market earlier last year. We were really excited about it, but when it arrived, we knew pretty immediately it wasn’t going to work. Despite it being a beautiful piece, the tones were all wrong. Rather than messing with the island (it’s made from 100 year old reclaimed wood), we’d rather hold onto it for some place in the future and we actually did recently decide on a new island!

Something we discovered after hosting a few times already is we could definitely use more storage in our small kitchen and even a place for people to casually sit. We ended up buying this island from Crate & Barrel. (I purchased a coupon on eBay and saved over $500 on the price!) It’s a little wider than the current island, but the same width. And it has a few drawers, shelves and an open side where we’ll tuck a few stools. It won’t be here for a couple months, so we’re keeping the current one in place until it arrives.

So, as you can see, although things are in place–most are subject to change. Our current home evolved so much over the years, we never expected the cabin to be perfect on day 1, but we’re so anxious to see it continue to unfold.

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What do you think?

  1. Laura says:

    Beautiful!!! I’d love to know how many lumens/kelvin those bulbs are in the den chandeliers. ????

  2. terri says:

    Where did you get the fabric covered deer head?

  3. Kotti Rocha says:

    Hi! So for your dining chairs they sell the same chair at CB2 and the legs aren’t nearly as slanted!! Check them out! Oh and also less money than the C&B ones. Win win!

  4. Emily says:

    We have the same green chairs in our a-frame and I cannot stand the buttons! I’ve thought about sewing them in place but it really is obnoxious. Would love to know if you end up resolving the issue.

  5. Grainne callanan says:

    Do you like the slanted ceiling boxes for the lights? Wasn’t sure based on the articles. I’m intrigued by them. We have a vaulted ceiling in a new build. I hate the light sitting at a slant on the ceiling and some days think I love the boxes to level it and other days think it be better to just leave slanted. Mind me asking your take?

    • Julia says:

      There are many fixtures that can be installed on a slanted ceiling, so they aren’t always necessary, but these were already installed so it made it even easier.

  6. Sue says:

    Julia, have you ever experienced buying a coupon on Ebay that didn’t work? I was not aware you could even purchase coupons! Loving the cabin choices, those lights made the biggest impact!

    • Julia says:

      I’ve never had an issue even once. But I only buy from high ranked sellers and I always look to make sure I am going to get the coupon via email instantly (generally takes about 10 minutes).

  7. Judy M. says:

    Swivel chairs (to replace UO chairs) would be so great in that space! Swivel to look outside at view or people at table. West Elm has a great selection. The cabin is stunning!

  8. Sarah says:

    Haha! I have had those dining chairs for 4 years. I love them and they have held up great (minus the plastic pieces in the bottom.) Everyone stubs their toes on them. They’re notorious in our extended family. But I still don’t regret getting them. Theyre indestructible!

  9. Bess says:

    How do you like the sectional in your cabin? It looks like the Gray sofa from Interior Define. I’ve been wondering how comfortable it is. Is the back too low? I’m wanting to use it in a beach cottage with fabric upholstery instead of leather.

  10. Dana says:

    If you can’t get the snaps to stay, maybe something like these would be a good alternative…
    Rivet Aiden Tufted Mid-Century Velvet Chair, 35.4″W, Hunter Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075X4N4S4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IYKpCbJK9EBZX

  11. Nicole says:

    LOVE that island. Saw it in store and it is dreamy! Can’t wait to see it in there :)

  12. Carrie says:

    Woohoo! I’m so glad you kept the current table. It was meant to be!

  13. Jane says:

    I am loving watching all of this come together so beautifully! And great decision to paint!! This post makes me feel so much better. We’ve been renovating our home and we’re almost done but I can’t seem to figure out our family room. The rug and coffee table I bought before it was finished just don’t work so I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one to realise later it just doesn’t always work!

  14. Sara says:

    I may have a solution for your snaps. Take a hammer and tap the “male” side of the snap and keep testing until you can barely get them apart. Hope it works because those chairs are killer.

  15. Elizabeth says:

    It’s bananas to me how you buy so much of your furniture and decor online! But maybe you kind of have to in Idaho?

  16. SB says:

    Thanks for the honest post! Love the island, dining table and new chandeliers!!! Agree about the rug. That room would look so, so, so good with a big vintage oushak.

  17. Cherish says:

    Coming together beautifully! I totally agree with all of this—gorgeous chandeliers, gorgeous new island, gorgeous dining table, gorgeous chairs (a few stubbed toes never killed anyone ????), a darker, bigger rug will be stunning. But as much as the color makes me swoon, the olive chairs just don’t feel to scale with the rest of the room. They’re so pretty by themselves, but in the aerial shots they just feel diminutive. But whatever you decide will be beautiful in the end, as always!

  18. Jeanna says:

    Your new island will be stunning! I love it :) Are you sure you can live with stubbing your toes on your dining area seating all the time?

  19. Loren says:

    I am not sure if you have seen the Crate & B island in person yet but it is even more stunning than in photos! You will love it. **& if you don’t keep the living room green chairs stick w/ that same color bc it is a beautiful compliment to that sofa! LOVE LOVE LOVE

  20. Judy says:

    I always look forward to your posts! I have a similar set up in my living room right now and have pours that have significantly unpoufed by the hands of my 3 kids. Any chance you wild mind sharing the source of your poufs?

  21. SPruitt says:

    This space is looking gorgeous!!!!! The chandeliers were such a great call. I love that modern wagon wheel shape. Is it rude to give my unsolicited option on the chairs? I think they look…cheap. (Squeezes eyes shut and covers mouth with hand, because I’m so hoping not to offend.) They don’t really go with the rest of your house. They look a little too…dorm room/ first apartment?
    Anyway, whether you keep them or not I love the space and that dining room table choice was solid. It’s stunning. Great job!

    • Jill says:

      I agree about the chairs but I didn’t want to offend. I absolutely love everything that C&J do, so I was trusting them in the in between stage. BUT… I just can’t get on board with the chairs. I’m sure it will all work out and be stunning.

  22. Mel Armstrong says:

    So fun to watch this come together. I dig the chairs, so disappointed to hear about the snaps, but that olive color is so right on. If you can’t get them to work, Room and Board’s Novato chair comes in a pretty olive.

  23. Kait says:

    Why not do the bench on the outside of the table, to avoid stubbed toes? Then the beloved chairs can stay, but safely on the inside.

  24. Amanda says:

    I love every update you’re making. I am SO SO HAPPY you are keeping that dining room table. It’s beautiful, and fits the space perfectly. Here are my (un-asked for) thoughts on everything else:

    1. Yes to a new larger, darker rug. It will add a lot more depth and interest to the room.
    2. Glue those snaps shut baby! These chairs are perfect for the space and are BEAUTIFUL! (Of course if they don’t work in the end, I’m sure something just as luxe and green will come your way! Haha)
    4. What if you switch the sides of the chairs and bench. It seems as though that would be a path less taken and less chance to stub toes? Or just create a warning sign to permanently leave by the table for people to watch their toes because the chairs are beautiful and so comfortable. (Haha.. I am totally kidding of course!)
    5. Love the new island. I can’t wait to see it in the space.

    Ps: the new lights are gorgeous. Fantastic eye as always.

  25. Lori says:

    Holy cow, I am IN LOVE with the kitchen island you guys ordered!!!! I can’t wait to see it in the space!

  26. Julie Taylor says:

    Love that Crate and Barrel Island!! It will be the perfect balance brining the metal element! I think that is going to amazing in the space. Been wanting to use it on a project for a long time! ????????????????

  27. Amanda says:

    THAT ISLAND! I am dying. It is so, so good. All the heart-eyes!

  28. Michelle J says:

    I love the direction you’re going! The chandeliers look perfect in the space! The darker, larger rug will totally ground and add coziness to the space. And the new island! It will totally carry the modern look into the kitchen. The cabinet doors seem to be the perfect amount of modern rustic for the kitchen. I love watching the design evolution!

  29. Casey says:

    LOVE the new island!

  30. Jennifer says:

    I love, love, love your real-time process of renovation and decorating, trying and trying until it sings to you. Thank you for writing this way. It’s what I love about blogs.

  31. Melissa says:

    Am I the only person who had no idea you could buy coupons on eBay?! Mind blown

  32. Erika says:

    So calming to see y’all still make mistakes and regroup. We’re updating a lot of pieces in our home and have been through two couches and now kitchen lighting that is proving inadequate. Thanks for keeping it real!

  33. Debbie Ricks says:

    Now that new island is one I wouldn’t mind being stranded on!!! I love it and it is going to look amazing in the space!!! Thanks for all of the updates and I cannot wait to see them!!!

  34. Rebecca Maciol says:

    I’ve had my eye on that crate and barrel island for over a year! Unfortunately is too long for our kitchen and I can’t find a similar one that’s shorter. I even went into c&b to check it out. It’s a great island with tons of storage. The marble on it is a polished finished but I was going to have our fabricator come and hone it had it worked in our space.

  35. Chris says:

    I love love love the new island! It ties in with the chandeliers so well! However, I disliked the green chairs from the first time you showed them. They don’t look cozy and the thin metal legs aren’t my favorite at all. I’d get something plush and sink-into-able instead. And I can’t wait to see what new rug you pick! I love the progress you share, it’s all a journey.

  36. Amy says:

    Have you thought about FLOR carpet tiles for the LR rug? You already know the benefits…but also could be a good option so your patio doors open freely over the rug too.

  37. Catherine says:

    It’s all looking so amazing. The new island is perfect, and I totally agree about a darker rug grounding the space. It’s so fun to piece everything together in a new space, and see what works and what doesn’t (which can sometimes be frustrating, but in the end so worth it). I’m curious if you’d consider painting the french doors (and side windows) trim, black? Have a great week!

  38. mary says:

    LOVE the new island. Gorgeous. Can’t wait to see the rug!

    We need flexibility in our smallish house when we have big groups. I have a large upholstered ottoman in our living room that we love – to sit near the fire on, to pile books on, put our feet on for reading and movies, we also have a tray on it for drinks, etc. But with an extra large group this Thanksgiving I was slammed for places to put people for dinner.

    I knew I had a scrap of MDF in the back and had my son bring it out – we put it on the ottoman, threw a table cloth over it and a few hours later six large college guys were happily eating dinner on my new “table” : ) Definitely hanging onto that MDF!

  39. Molly says:

    I have those same chairs around my large, 16 person table, and I have stubbed my toe on them so many times. it is a pain unlike any other! I still love mine too, and totally worth it!

  40. Christina says:

    I totally hear you on the green chairs; if it isn’t functional, don’t keep it! Besides… I feel like they are slightly too small for the space anyhow!

    Also, which side of the table would the bench be on? I’d bet if the bench was on the side further from the wall it would
    help avoid toe-stubbing AND when tucked in would provide a larger walkway

    • Cathy says:

      I was going to suggest the same thing about putting the bench on the side closer to the walkway, and the chairs on the side of the wall. I think it’ll also help breakup some of the visual clutter from having so many chairs (dining + livingroom) in one shot.

  41. Danna says:

    My favorite posts are the ones where you share the mistakes and mishaps. So often I buy something that’s just not quite right. I love that you guys still do that too!

    I would return the chairs. Lots of great recommendations to try to fix them, but as often as they will be used I think you’ll want something more lasting.

    And I agree on the rug. The room is so beautiful, but the rug just doesn’t look quite right now with the walls lighter. Can’t wait to see what you pick to replace it with.

    So many fun decisions ahead!

  42. Lindsey says:

    I feel like the chairs look very…inexpensive next to the rest of the furnishings. If the snaps won’t sfay snapped I’d try to get the company to let you return them and do a buffalo plaid chair or something rustic but stylish there.

  43. thelady says:

    That island!!! What a perfect choice!!! aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!! (that is me yelling, loving it!!)

  44. Katie says:

    I am just so in love with the cabin. It is so lovely and I cannot wait to see how it keeps evolving.

  45. Brandi Arnold says:

    LOVE your honesty. So appreciated.

  46. Sarah says:

    I’m curious as to your thoughts on the Article sofa. Is it holding up well? How is the low back working out for you?

  47. Jhenneberg says:

    The Dwell Multi Color rug from CB2 would be nice

  48. I think that Crate and Barrel island will be beautiful there! Can’t wait to see where you end up using the other one!

  49. Wendy says:

    Looks great, and that new island is beautiful! How do the led light bulbs in your chandeliers rate on your scale? I love and appreciate the blog post you did where you explain about kelvins. So many of these new fixtures use Edison style bulbs, it’s making it hard to find a fixture for my 2 story stairwell that won’t turn the place yellow.

    • Julia says:

      They are 2700 k and 400 lumens (though they have dimmer bulbs with the same color). I used to shy away from led because they were all so cool (high on the Kelvin scale) but 2700-3000 is my sweet spot so these are perfect.

  50. Eileen says:

    Actually, in a slight variation of Karen’s suggestion, if you have them unsnapped and just tap the. “male” half a bit, that often snugs things up so they stay snapped better. They can still be snapped and unsnapped as needed.

  51. Jill says:

    Love all the changes! About the chairs, we have a table with hair pin legs and even though they don’t stick out as far past the table top as your chair legs, we would constantly trip or stub our toes on them. It was pretty annoying, but the good news is that I don’t remember when we learned to not walk so close to the corners of the table, but we must’ve because now I can’t remember the last time we did that. So I think you’ll get used to it do. :)

  52. Peggy says:

    Here’s a little trick you might try for those snaps: (you may have to take the cover off the chair frame for this). Lay the sticking-out part of the snap down on a hard surface, back side down. Give the snap a good whack with a hammer to slightly flatten it and flange the top of it. Try snapping it; you may have to do this a little bit at a time until the snaps grab but can still be separated.
    I used to do this with my kids’ onesies when the snaps wouldn’t hold. As I remember, it worked every time.

  53. K says:

    Every furniture piece I’ve gotten from
    UO has something that is juuust a little bit off or poorly made. Those green chairs are lovely but I totally get having an issue with them. I’ve been hot gluing an ottoman I got from UO for months. It hasn’t held up at all. Good luck!

  54. Karen says:

    You may be able to tighten up the snaps on the chairs by laying the straps on a hard surface with the snaps snapped. Then tap the snaps gently with a hammer. This will spread the metal a little and tighten them up.

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