2/9/14

Simple Changes

Hey everyone!  I don't know about y'all, but when it comes to diys and home projects, we have to do some prioritizing.  Putting things on the "back burner" is not always very easy for me, but I can usually get myself busy with other things and try not to let little things bother me.  Some times I can even wait until it becomes The Man's idea.  We made a lot of light fixture and ceiling fan upgrades when we first moved into our home, but the only thing that changed in the breakfast room was the removal of a very tacky light and replacing it with this lovely one that had been in the dining room.  It was originally some awful coppery color and The Man spray-painted it when we painted the table and island.  We had also replaced the globes, so it wasn't truly awful, just not what we wanted; but it was not on the priority list.......until last week.  The Man was in Lowe's looking at something else and ended up looking at light fixtures. 
He came home and got me to take a look.  Well, obviously replacing this light fixture had moved up on the priority ladder and I was all for that!


This is what we found, and it's perfect for this small and very informal space.

We are both very happy with how it looks.

The Man was all set to install a dimmer (just because I like dimmers), but we use fluorescent bulbs throughout our home to be more energy efficient, more green conscious, and to keep the heat down -- this is Arizona, you know!  It seems you have to have a special fluorescent dimmable bulb for this to work, and they are expensive.  But, being the sweetie that he is, The Man ordered some.  They arrived a couple of days ago, but they are huge and stick way up above the globe.   I said, "No, those are hideous."  The Man is a bit miffed at me and doesn't see the problem.  How would you feel about that?  Truly, they stuck up about 3" above the rim of the globe.  We could use regular incandescent bulbs, but this is a fixture that is on a lot, and because it is right next to the kitchen, it will get very warm.  I've opted to do without the dimmer......oh well.  And, The Man doesn't stay miffed at me for very long......lol!

We didn't stop with the breakfast room light.  Isn't this a beauty?  We had a matched set of these in the hallway that goes to my craftroom, the guest room and the Mancave.  I tried to ignore these half-moon orbs as much as possible.

Well, I guess it was our day to find light fixtures that we liked, because a set of these little cuties appealed to both of us.

Much, much better!
These were all inexpensive fixtures, but they look nice and that's all that really matters to us.  Sometimes it is just the simplest of changes that can make a big difference.  What simple changes have you made lately?  Please share.

I may be partying with some of these fine bloggers this week:

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons for One Project at a Time
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

16 comments:

  1. It amazes me how much 'small changes' can make big differences! Great quick fixes!!

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  2. Don't you just love getting the small projects done.. It is the small projects that sometimes make the greatest change....Great job.. Blessings!

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  3. Love the changes! Glad he made a trip to Lowe's! I'm finally changing up my lighting in the breakfast area too! Finally getting the lighting I've been eyeing for months after I waited on a great sale!

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  4. Those are both really GOOD changes. The befores were NOT horrible but the new ones are so much better. I love how those small changes make such a big difference. xo Diana

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  5. I love your new wall lights. I didn't know you could change out lights like those. Our bedroom has two of them in the strangest places, but ours are an ugly brass. Now I have a new project for my handy man. Thanks.

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  6. I love the new lights! I don't blame you one bit for not liking the bulbs that stuck up above the rims. I wouldn't like that either. We just replaced a hallway light that we've wanted to replace since we had the house built 14 years ago. It just kept getting bumped to the bottom of the to do list and we finally found one we both liked. :) And just a few minutes ago, we added an inexpensive medallion to our dining room light. I've wanted one of those forever. Sometimes it really is the smallest changes that make the biggest impact.

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  7. It all looks wonderful. Isn't it fun to make changes around the house? I love what you've done. :)

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  8. Love the new chandy, it looks wonderful and the hall sconces are beautiful too. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  9. Great changes! Love your new lamp. So pretty over the table!

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  10. The new lights look great and it is so often the little things in life that make us happy. Sounds like you have a very good husband.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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  11. Hi Carol,

    Lovely changes, so refreshing and stylish! Yes, I would agree with you re: the half moon fixtures; the new sconces look so pretty, as does the hanging one, lovely! Little changes bring big results! Enjoy them. Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

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  12. Love the new light fixtures…classic design, so pretty in your home.

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  13. I am all about those small changes making a huge impact! Looks great Carol.

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  14. Love your changes!

    Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  15. I love the new looks. Lighting can always make such a huge difference! Thank you for linking up with Twirl and Take a Bow on Tuesdays! ~Tammy

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol