{GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED}
The winner is: #262: Chelsea Duncan!
Our Lowe’s challenge this month was to spruce up an outdoor area and give it more curb appeal. I knew instantly what I would do and that is, change out these pitiful light fixtures. Lowes has some really nice ones for not a lot of money.
I picked out these two beauties and they were $40 each. Not bad at all for adding that curb appeal.
This pretty little black lantern will go over the front door.
I got out the ladder and started taking down the old fixture. If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I am not afraid to tackle light fixtures and changed out every light fixture in my old house myself. It’s not hard once you get the hang of it. I’ll show you more on that below.
The old one came down. YAY!
And the new one went up. Look how cute it looks with my glass front door!
It’s very simple and elegant with seeded glass.
Here’s are simple instructions on DIYing your own light fixtures. Someone asked me this and YES, turn OFF the power to your lightswitch by turning off the breaker. I will confess, that I sometimes just make sure the switch is in the OFF position on the wall and that stops the power from coming through too, but that is not the proper way to do it. Do as I say, not as I do. Be safe!
Here’s the back porch fixture. I thought I’d show you how easy it is to connect these. Black wire to black wire and white one to white. Wrap the copper ground wire around the little screw that is marked Ground. Screw the plate in and line up the bolts. 
The base of the fixture has holes that the screws slide through and then the cap nut goes on top.
Much better, don’t you think?
Beautiful and simple Craftsman style fixture and now the porch will look SO much better. I can hardly wait to get on this porch to enjoy it all!
And Lowes is giving away to ONE of my readers a $100 giftcard to help you out with a project of your own! What will you spend your giftcard on if you win?
Do you have an outdoor project you’d like to do soon? Tell me in the comments and I’ll choose a winner in a few days!
Note: I received a Lowes giftcard to complete my outdoor project.
We need to seal/stain the siding on our rustic cabin. I’d use the giftcard to buy supplies for that!
My outdoor lights are also in need of replacement. And I have 6 that should coordinate but not break the bank.
Your courage and attitude are inspiring. I love what you are doing with your new house. I can’t wait to see it with all the hard work you and and your parents are doing. We have a wonderful back porch, but the light fixture is an inexpensive plastic one that definitely needs to be replaced.
We purchased a home with a beautiful screened porch off the back. We had great dreams of enjoying meals, visiting with friends and watching our kids play in the backayard from this porch. Unfortunately it is just sitting there with our old, too small dining set and rarely gets used. I would use the gift card to spruce up the porch so it is a homey, comfortable space for our family to eat and visit with friends on summer evenings.
Would love to win the gift card to help out with my backyard projects this summer. Items I still need include a bird bath, small water feature, and loads of of topsoil for my two remaining raised beds. I enjoy your blog everday! Good luck with your home remodel.
Some pretty flowers and ferns for our front porch
I would LOVE to replace the light over my breakfast nook table. You are right; it’s soooooo easy and makes such a big difference. If I won a Lowe’s gift card, I would either do that or get some porch paint for my front porch.
I love that the light fixture you chose for the front has the same diamond pattern as the door. Also like the interesting textured glass on each of the fixtures. I lost my job and have to sell my condo. Replacing the light fixtures in the bathrooms would really have a big impact. Thanks for the giveaway!
We have just finished building our dream home and with no money left in the budget…I would use the money to buy some beautiful plants for my new beautiful front porch!!!!…p.s. Lowes does have some very nice lighting fixtures I bought most of the ones in my home from there and have gotten compliments on them!!!
I have one of these same fixtures! Pretty! I would spend a gift card on a new outdoor grill. Ours has faithfully served our family of seven, but it’s about time to put it out of its misery! Love these updates on your progress!
Oh, I do so understand about ugly light fixtures. We are still replacing the “gems” we inherited when we purchased this home. If I won I would use the gift card to continue the face lift the remaining areas so desperately need.
PS Love the front door light!
I would use it on one of the hundred items we need for our garage build-out.
I would put the gift card toward getting my husband a new grill for Father’s Day to replace our 12 year old one.
We bought our ranch house 2 years ago and we REALLY need to change out the 2 brass (ugh!) fixtures in the foyer and hall. They are small so $100 should cover them both!! :o)
I love how your new fixtures look and the tutorial for DIY!
Thanks,
Darlene
http://www.stork1.blogspot.com
Too many outdoor projects to count but new light fixtures are on the list!
I would love to purchase a new patio set for my patio. I would like outdoor lights, garden pots, and maybe a fountain.
There are endless things I could find to spend it on at Lowe’s!
I have one of those light fixtures outside too. They are nice. I would love to win this giveaway because my husband is working on projects in the yard. He needs some sod to fill some bare spots and some rocks for a creek bed. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I would love to paint my son’s bedroom
Love your new light fixtures. I need to replace the ceiling fan on a screened in porch.
Oh my where to begin? Well I really want new cushions for all of my outside furniture so that is what I think I would use the card towards. Hope I win!!!