{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.
I just bought a new double wide mobile home. It came with very boring porch lights. I picked out the bronze fixture just like yours on my last trip to Lowe’s. Can’t wait to buy them and get them up.
Love your new lights!!! I so need to redo my master bedroom, desperate for some changes but could definitely use help with funding! 🙂
I love your new light fixtures and if I win that is what I would use the Lowes gift card for, getting new light fixtures for my back patio. The current one is pretty sad!!
New cushions for my outdoor furniture, and some shrubs to replace those damaged by storms. It is so exciting to make a new home a part of you, and your new light fixtures do the job! Thank you for the chance to win the Lowe’s card.
Landscaping for sure!
Paint! My entire house needs to be done. Love seeing the progress you are making on your new home.
You’ve inspired me with new outdoor light fixtures! Mine could certainly stand to be updated after 25 years!
I’d love to fix up our patio. We just got a new Grill so some acessories to go with it would be nice.
I would love to update the light fixture on my front porch or maybe get some new plants for my flower bed.
We have so many outdoor projects to do it’s difficult to pick just one! Landscaping supplies, deck stain, items to make our screened-in porch more comfortable for the summer — those are the top three at least. Thanks for the opportunity to enter and enjoying watching your home transformation. Your parents are amazing! Love that you have the opportunity to use their expertise and do this project together, that’s so special.
We are building a boat dock and needing light fixtures, door handles, and many things from Lowes! This would be great! Thanks for the offer, and I am enjoying your home progress so much!
My husband and I just bought a house in a better school district for our boys. We want to build an out door fireplace for our family to enjoy year round. However, we first need to put up a fence for our family dog, Bijou. Then I think our three boys are just chopping at the bit for a play set!
I have that same fixture that you put over the door. We love it….it looks more expensive than it is. My yard is full of weeds and in need of mulch and flowers so I would love some money to start that project. As of now there is no money left for it so this would be a awesome to win! It sure is fun to watch your house progress!
I would new light fixtures at my garage doors and back porch. I have been following your blog for a while now. Thank you for all the inspiration that you give. I also think your parents are really special people.
I am renting for the time being so I would use it for potted flowers.
Since I am starting to do some landscaping in our backyard and we have poor soil, I would use the card to purchase additives to enhance the soil condition and purchase some plants! Thanks for the wonderful blog! I am enjoying “sharing” your adventure with your new home!
My projects and budget definitely do not match, so I can think of several ways to use a Lowe’s gift card!
I’d love a screen door, but your light fixures look great, and sure make me want to replace some of my own!
I’m wanting some new plants and flowers around my front door!
Oh, I have so many projects around my house that need to be done! But with $100, I would buy some lumber so I can build bookshelves for my daughters’ playroom under the stairs. Right now, they just have all their toys laying everywhere on the floor, and it is such a small space, it desperately needs some organization. I would probably also buy some paint to make it more lively and kid-friendly, and a cover for the exposed light bulb in there. 🙂
We bought a new-to-us house that has fluorescent (!!!) lights in the kitchen. They gotta go. I love the pictures on your blog.