Flipping the Switch

You're right, it's time to talk lighting. Specifically I'm going to devote this post to lighting over the island. For old times sake I have to share a couple photos of lights from a previous era.

This was from the eighties. (no comments on the wall decor unless you are over 40)

This was probably late nineties and early 2000. Nothing much changed from that time on except the light fixture. Same cabinets and same counter top so I think I'm due for an update.

This is what I have now. It's a fixture I found at The Restore for like $20. It sat around for awhile until I could get it hung. When I picked up the globe from the desk top where it had been resting for several weeks, it stuck for just a split second. That was enough to cause it to crack and leave the rim resting on the desk. I was dumbfounded and pretty ticked. Determined not to give up on it, I glued it and put it up anyway. I still like it but I want two pendants over my new island, so it has to come down.

(retrorenovation.com)

Full disclosure: I dislike about 90% of the lighting I see on the market. I'm not going to bore you with hundreds of pictures of fixtures I don't like. (well, maybe just one to make my point) Besides, lighting is very subject to individual taste and I know I'm kind of an odd duck when it comes to my choices.

Let's talk about a few fixtures I might like for this remodel.

A pair of these would be fabulous if the room was larger and the ceilings a little higher.
(horchow.com)

Or maybe a trio...say..

(linnousa.se)

THESE. Not sure if I could track them down or if I would be willing to pay the price if I found them.

(paloma81.blogspot.com)

I pinned these long before I started thinking kitchen remodel.

(Ballards)

In a similar vein, these two would certainly be OK with me.

(pantaleonylasdecoradoras.com)

These are a little quiet but maybe that's what it's going to take.

(todesignoffsite.com)

Love the patina on these. I want a few industrial touches in the room without taking it too far. These are made out of old propane tanks. That might be worth investigating.

(touchofmodern.com)

While we are on that track, what about this one? I would be very happy with a variation of this.

(finderskeepersmarketinc.blogspot.com)

I really doubt this one is going to cross my path but I just had to show it anyway.

(designchicetmoinscher.wordpress.com)

Just had to add this picture because I have always liked this pair. I just don't think they are what this room needs.

Gee, is that it? There is one more thing. I have a pair of fixtures that have been sitting in a box for several years. I bought them at the Habitat Restore because the price was right and I thought they had potential. Now the question is: What do they potentially add to this kitchen remodel?

Overlook the bright brassiness of them. There is paint in every color so there are options here. If you have priced lighting lately you will understand why I'm giving these consideration. They are marked $26 apiece but I'm sure I paid less since I usually don't walk out of that place without getting a discount. These days you pay that for a couple of light bulbs. I think I might have to paint these to determine if they will make the cut. Final decision to follow.

On The Upswing

After the last post, it seemed a good idea to do a follow up post to report that things are moving along nicely. This shot was taken before the remodel started. The door at the end of the hallway leads into the bath now being remodeled. This is where the changes started. The trim is off the doorway and the door opening will be enlarged to the width of the hallway. This shot taken of that same area now looks like this. By closing the entrance from the hallway, that bathroom will now be the master bath by keeping the entrance from the bedroom only. This is how it looks from the bathroom side. the door on the left leads to the hallway and the one on the right into the bedroom. Now it looks like this. Part of the hallway has become part of the bathroom. This is where the vanity will be installed. The partial doorway you see on the right leads to the bedroom. Turning 180 degrees and looking across the room to the opposite corner, you see the window and the en

Out of No Where

Isn't it uncanny how a project can sneak into an already crowded schedule? Recently a friend invited me to do a walk through on a two-family he was planning to buy. A couple pieces of furniture had been left behind and they were dumpster material to him. Did I go with him thinking there was something there for me? NO. Was I looking for something in particular? NO. Did the thought of finding a new project ever cross my mind? NO! But, see for yourself. Could you have passed this up? It was sturdy (translates to a little heavy). There was nothing wrong with it. It even had all the shelves and the pins that hold them in place. And without the shelves it was not quite as heavy. (Try telling me that as my friend and I are hauling it down a flight of stairs.) More shelving on the side made it even more practical. I'm sure they could be used for something besides VHS tapes. Here it is in my studio where I could do a complete assessment. Looks like a good cleaning

Small Storage Containers RECYCLED

With the way grocery products have skyrocketed this past year, it has somehow made the containers they come in seem more valuable. To be transparent, I have always saved glass jars from jam, pickles, and spaghetti sauce.=) You know, small, medium and large. I also saved yogurt cups, sour cream containers, etc. When I was painting furniture and mixing colors, the small containers came in handy. This past summer I got a good laugh when I found a stack of yogurt containers in the back of a cabinet in my studio...at least 60! Needless to say those made it into the trash. More recently I have collected a fair amount of plastic containers with lids that are similar to the food saving containers you buy for that purpose. These are fairly large, about 5x7 inches and approximately 3" deep. They are great for leftovers but also good for storing a multitude of other smallish items. The bottoms are see through which makes them perfect for organizing hobby/craft and workshop items. But once a

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