Buh bye ceiling fan
October 04, 2010
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So…I've got nothing against ceiling fans. Really. We have three of them in our house. Well – now two. :)
We’ve always had one in our bedroom -- we hand picked it when we built the house:
And pretty much since the first week we lived here, I’ve wanted to take it down. :)
We used to use it fairly often, but over the past few years, it’s made hubby and I both feel like we have a cold the next day if we have it on all night – so we haven’t used it in a long time.
So…for a few months now I’ve been planning to replace it with a gorgeous new chandelier. But I have no gorgeous chandelier. DANG!!
And the Dave Ramsey plan (that’s WORKING, by the way!!) makes it so we need to pick and choose our splurges, so it wasn’t really on the horizon anytime soon.
And then…while I was working on the basement a couple of weeks ago, I moved a light fixture I’ve had forever around about 20 times before it hit me. DUH.
Why don’t I use this?:
I got it from our local Habitat for Humanity Restore at least a year ago – maybe even longer. I didn’t know for sure where I’d use it, but it was BIG and only $22, so I just couldn’t pass it up.
I wasn’t crazy about the finish, but I figured a coat of paint would help that:
I knew I could totally make it work! Whooeee! And since I bought it forever
ago, that made it FREE! According to my way of thinking anyway. :)
So I set it up in my fancy spray paint station in the garage, (a.k.a hanging it on a hook with a sheet behind it), and covered it with one coat of basic black spray paint:
If you’re like me, you get spray paint finger pretty easily. To prevent my hands from turning into claws, I’ve used a few different spray paint handles over the years:
My sweet Dad came over and helped me hang this one. I had never taken a ceiling fan down before and wasn’t sure which wires would go with what. Because the light fixture didn’t come with any of the usual accessories needed, we got a crossbar to hang it:
And a new canopy as well (that I still need to paint black!):
And some frosted bulbs that I wanted to try:
And after a quick coat of spray paint and some help from my awesome Dad, we had the new light up in record time:
Don’t you love the frosted glass on those bulbs? I think I may change out the lights in our dining room fixture to these too – I just love them. It makes the light just a bit softer.
Dad must be my good luck charm, cause this one was up in no time flat! Seriously, I think start to finish, it took us about 15 minutes.
And I LOVE it!:
It’s not the blingy, crystally (word?) chandelier I’ve been dreaming of, but for now, it works beautifully. I may raise it just a tiny bit more, so it doesn’t complete with the canopy rails (which are staying because my hubby loves them).
Because it’s on a dimmer (I had the fan light on one), it’s super bright turned all the way up:
Like, surface of the sun, bright. :)
But most of the time it’s turned down:
Dimmers rock. Try them – you won’t be sorry. (They are so easy to install – check out my post here to find out how to do it.)
So here’s this month’s before and after! The ceiling fan before:
With the previous bedding, lamps and drapes.
And the after, with the new bedding and some fab drapes for a steal at JCPenney's:
They are reversible too – and the buffalo check side is gorgeous, it just was a bit too country for this room. I’m going to add a liner behind them so they are more solid during the day, and maybe a little detail to bring in some cream – not sure about that yet.
Ohhh, I almost forgot! Did you catch the Nate Berkus show today? It was the episode we attended! Proof I was there:
(I’m in the back in the purple sweater.)
That’s me nodding, saying “YES Nate, you are adorable. And YES I would be happy to come on your show! And YES Nate, I know I am dreaming!”
:)
I totally zoomed in on this shot…but still. COOL!
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Oh my soul! Girl, I love the light fixture! AND I'm with you on ceiling fans...I can't stand sleeping with one on b/c it does make me feel sick the next day.
ReplyDeleteLove love love the new fixture!!! Looks fantastic! Great job! Thanks for hosting too!!
ReplyDeleteThat light looks amazing! We have a fan in our room too and I want something different but I LOVE the breeze at night. Great job!
ReplyDeleteBonnie :)
that is such an interesting piece, i love the shadows it reflects around the room. ah, dimmers, a shared affection! thanks for hosting,too!
ReplyDeletewww.thecapeonthecorner.blogspot.com
Oh shoot, I missed your Nate B. show. Was on a Kdg field trip all day to a Pumpkin Patch. Hey you have to experience kindergarten on a field trip, quite an exhausting day. LOL
ReplyDeleteSherry
Sarah, I love the new fixture (and the drapes and bedding!). You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting another great party!!!!
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
The new lighting looks so great with your bed and room! And that's so cool to have been able to see Nate in person.
ReplyDeleteAhh LOVE the new light fixture!! And the drapes! What a deal. Great job Sarah, really love the room. :) And thank you for the par-tay!
ReplyDeleteFor reals you had that in storage? Wow, I can't believe how beautiful it looks in the room. You could always add strands of crystals any time to bling it up! Darn, I need to set my DVR to record Nate's show. Sorry I missed it. I hope it replays soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea - I love the light fixture! And aren't Dad's the best? I usually have a huge list for my dad when he comes to town. The new bedroom is beautiful - it looks like a bed and breakfast (a good one...one you'd call your sister and BFF about). And this is my first link to your party. Yay! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteLove the new light, so exciting when you can find something you forgot about! Your bedroom looks really great. So fun to follow you!
ReplyDeleteNice work!! Love this change. I love my ceiling fan too much to change it out right now - we'll see in a few years! I have the same curtains in my living room in the gold color. LOVE them! Pictures here - http://houseography.blogspot.com/2010/08/let-there-be-privacy-sheers-in-family.html
ReplyDeleteCute light! I so want a chandelier in our master bedroom but hubby is too hot-blooded.
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you got on TV at Nate and you look great! :)
I love the new light! It's so pretty! And the new curtains look fab too.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally comment because I am not a design blogger --but I had to tell you that this past weekend I also spray painted a chandelier that I bought at the local Habitat for Humanity store a few months back. Of course I ran out of paint and now I will have to go back to the store. BTW, my husband has changed out over 23 light fixtures in the last 6 years we have lived in our house (built in 1976) he is a pro now and can do it about as fast as changing a light bulb :)
ReplyDeleteLove that change, it makes such a huge difference in your space! And I always love this party. So many amazing ideas!
ReplyDeleteoh and duh-- your light looks great. love it.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time joining your B&A linky party... yay! Love your new light fixture. We change out lights all the time and we always add in dimmers... makes such a HUGE difference!!
ReplyDeleteLove the light fixture! I have to see if we have one of those Habitat stores around here. thanks for hosting this blog party!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting! I am still trying to convince my hubby to let me swap our ceiling fan out. He might go for something more like you did b/c it isn't too feminine. Looks great with the room!
ReplyDelete"Free" is one of the sweetest words in the English language! I love how your light turned out and think it is perfect there! Maybe you could do some bedazzling to it and "bling" it up!??? :-) But truly, I love the glow it casts in the room and it all looks gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Everything looks sooo Beautiful. I noticed your new drapes right away.:) They tie everyting together perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe light and the new bench are gorgeous too. So cozy.
Love the new light fixture and the frugal way of thinking too!
ReplyDeleteThat light is gorgeous! You look great in the audience! Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteOkay Sarah, what a co-inky dink this is. As I'm reading your post I am watching my recorded episode of the show and I looked up and there you were in the audience! How funny is that?
ReplyDeleteJust had to share that with ya!
Greetings from So Cal!
Kudos on bringin' a little Boom Boom Pow to the bedroom...(how embarrassing for your dad)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the fixture!! It fits great with all of your room decor and it looks really warm. Glad you were able to use it =)
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique light fixture, the look of it reminds me of a bird cage, its very beautiful, and It matches the style of your bedroom very nice.
ReplyDelete-- Kim (aka Mr. Gnome)
http://mrgnomesgreenblog.blogspot.com/
Gorg! Love! You've got me regretting a ginormous lantern I saw at my local ReStore. I mean seriously, a can of spray paint baby and you're outsmarting all those retailers by hundreds of dollars! Squeal !!
ReplyDeleteKate
Gorgeous. Very strange find! I've never seen one of those before but it looks great!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of the master are beautiful. I love the dark wood contrasting against the lighter colors. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh, WOW. That light fixture is marvelous in that room!! Aren't you glad you found it in your stockpile? It's perfect. And those drapes look perfect with that bedding too. I like the peeking out of the checks - it is very complimentary to the flowered comforter. I wouldn't line them, they look wonderful as they are!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Gloria
I love that fixture - don't you just love Habitat??? It looks great painted black and is a huge improvement from that ceiling fan. We've got fans in our bedrooms too from the previous owner and we don't use them either - I can't stand things blowing down on me and blades spinning above my head so they're on my list of things to change - AND, I'll be bringing them to Habitat to give them a new home :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a ceiling fan in our bedroom. I would love to change it out for a light fixture but we use it in the summer to keep the room cooler. This has been a back and forth battle for a few years now. Your new fixture looks great.
ReplyDelete"And since I bought it forever ago, that made it FREE! According to my way of thinking anyway. :)"
ReplyDeleteHa! Love that. That is totally my way of thinking xxx Was in Kmart today and saw a gaaawgeous duvet set that I just had to have and now I know where I saw something very similar - on YOUR bed!Love it!!
What a gorgeous light fixture! It looks so great there, too! Not too small, not too big. I like it better than your fan and if you are not using the fan, then what a great switch out. We use our fans constantly and now that I am entering a time of life when I will most likely require a fan 24/7, ours are staying! ; )
ReplyDeleteI love the fixture! No-cost projects are my kinda deal.
ReplyDeleteYour new light fixture is perfect in your room! I too have an old ceiling fan just screaming to be removed. We NEVER use it and the light fixture part hasn't worked in years (shame on me, huh?). I would love to find something like the one you have to replace the fan. Great job! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
I think there should be a song, Spray Paint is a Good Thing! Great job and thanks for the cool blog party!
ReplyDeleteWow what a difference that makes! We have a ceiling fan in our bedroom, but for now it is staying. Unfortunately our house is older and the AC in the summer just doesn't get there as well, so the fan becomes a necessity. Maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteGORG!! I'm so jealous because, I'm required to have a ceiling fan in my room... Thanks to my "Can't Sleep Without the Fan Nose & Breeze Hubby".
ReplyDeleteL.O.V.E. the drapes. What a great price!! JCP always has great deals, and I love everything they have (except little girls' clothes..). NOt sure if it works with the outlet online, but every time you buy something in the store you get a request to complete a survey and a 15% off coupon for doing it. Combine it with $10 or $15 instant cash that they send out regularly and their great sales, and you can get things for a steal. My best day was $125 of stuff for $21. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteYour new fixture looks perfect~ I love the pattern it creates on the ceiling. Another great tutorial. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
I love the new light fixture and adore the shadow it casts on the ceiling when the dimmer's on low! I love dimmers too. Nothing like them!
ReplyDeleteI love the new lamp! It really updates your room! gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteLove it, Sarah! I actually do have a somewhat funny "Before and After" on the blog today, but it's so lame that I won't link it up. :s You look so cute on TV!! ;) (And so does the top of Rhoda's head!)
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Yay for being on TV!
ReplyDeleteI agree, if you buy something f.o.r.e.v.e.r ago then it is technically FREE! Looks amazing, great job
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! PB wishes they sold that light fixture- it's gorgeous! It reminds me of the one Sarah Richardson used in the entryway of the canadian farmhouse, only not as weathered (which is a good thing in your BR!) Aren't Dads the greatest?! My Dad just finished building me a three-sided mantle for my monstrous fireplace- I'm some spackle and a coat of paint away from posting about it!
ReplyDeleteI watched Nate's show yesterday, hoping I'd see some familiar faces, and kept pausing it whenever they panned over everyone in the audience, but I never did see a single person I knew. Bummer! I was hoping he might talk to a few of the bloggers in the audience I knew so the camera would focus on them a little longer.
ReplyDeleteWish I could have spotted you and Rhoda, at least! Bet you guys had a blast.
P.S. Are you going to Blissdom again in '11? Got the early registration e-mail today, but I think I might pass this year.
Love the new light fixture! I would like to replace our ceiling fan, but I just can't sleep without one. Your bedrooms looks great though. So comfy!
ReplyDeleteThe new fixture looks great. And I love the tile on your fireplace, never noticed it before!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think that looks cooler than a crystal chandelier would look! It goes really well with the rest of your room. Wonderful job!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely LOVE that light fixture... it's sure a beauty! If you ever decide to replace it with something new, I could take it off of your hands :^)
ReplyDeleteWOW, that turned out beautiful!!! Love the shadow it casts on the ceiling too. Awesome find!
ReplyDeleteI love your new light. It sort of reminds me of a lighthouse type light. Unfortunately, I'm at the age where I NEED that ceiling fan at night. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great new light fixture! I would love to get rid of the ceiling fan in our bedroom and add some romantic lighting, but I think my husband might find that grounds for divorce! Looks super!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting:) I really like your 'new' light. Don't you love it when you have great ideas like that to use something you have?! I have a fan in my master bedroom too and I so want to be rid of it. Just wish I had a cute light waiting for me in my basement;)
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous! I have never lived in a house that didn't have a ceiling fan (in AZ not having a ceiling fan in your bedroom is pure suicide!) but your lantern is tempting!
ReplyDeleteI caught a smallish glimpse of you guys on a commercial break, but that picture is great!
Your new light looks great in the bedroom. I sleep better with the fan on even in the winter. Crazy I know, getting older sucks. But we did swap it out for a better looking one. I'd like to do the same in the family room.
ReplyDeleteI adore your new light! It has so much style - better than a chandelier.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun to meet you at the Nate show - hope I didn't act too much like a crazy fan!
can I just say that i LOVE that fixture. I think I love it better than any chandelier I've seen! Chandeliers are beautiful and really dress up a room, but this is so unique! If I would you I would keep this up even after you're finished with your debt plan! I just love how different it is!
ReplyDeletesooo wish i were on the awesome lighting train :( in our room we have a floor lamp little bedside lamps and something much much worse than a ceiling fan! it has a frosted glass bowl with nasty brass as the trim and upside-down finial thing. makes me want to win the lottery and buy lowes so i can have beautiful lighting change them out for everyday of the year. soooo going to your dimmer post right now. if it is not too expensive that'll be my weekend plans! woo-hooo (not sarcasm, i'm really that dorky and excited!)
ReplyDelete