{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 am so impressed that you changed your light fixtures. I need new ones by our garage, and now I know that I can change them out myself. That’s what I would use the gift card for. Thanks for the chance to win.
We need to change our outdoor lighting, too. I’d also like to add a little herb garden on my patio.
I have a long list of projects to do, but the one that is most glaring now is my kitchen floor. There are 4 spots where the linoleum has worn through and the subflooring is showing. I’ve really enjoyed following your progress remaking your new home.
I also purchased a “fixer upper” and some rooms have nothing but wires hanging where light fixtures should have been!
I moved last Thursday from St. Louis to Branson, into a brand new 3/2 apt. It has an adorable, nice size balcony. I would love to have an outdoor rug for it, to give it some design/pattern, and cushions for my chairs (which came from Lowe’s)!
BTW, I really like the outdoor light fixtures you selected! Have a blessed day!
Actually….I want to change my outdoor front door light! Its a ceiling mount and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a hanging light out there!!! =)
We are in the process of redoing our backyard so I would use the card for new shrubs and a tree. I really want hydrangas and a magnolia tree out there.
I am working on the outside – last year I bought light fixtures, but need some fresh ones for the back yard. Of course, I could spray paint the old brass fixtures and I’m sure it will look great. On my back patio, I want to paint the ceiling blue, stain the concrete floor, add drapes and have fun decorating.
Our lawn needs LOTS of TLC! I need some flowers, some greenery and would love to build a retaining wall along the hill.
I love Lowe’s. You can get help with anything there!
What a difference! Beautiful, Rhoda! I want to replace the two on my back porch ceiling…..well, after a rotted section of it is replaced….such is life in the south, huh?
Hi …We are down sizing to a 32 year home. Yuck on the lighting. It has never been update.
Thank you for the opportuntiy.
Torri <3
Because of a severe storm last Spring we had to put a new roof on, that led to repainting the front door and shutters. We have been looking for new outside lights and I think I just found a winner on your blog! I really, really like the second one. Thanks for sharing it.
I would put the money toward a new kitchen sink which I need to replace.
I love those! I wish my porch light was mounted to the house instead of the ceiling of the porch.
I’d use the gift card for paint! Lots of paint. I want to paint my living room and kitchen soon.
We built our house 2 1/2 years ago, and sadly have NEVER done any landscaping. As a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of 3, funds for landscaping are hard to come by. My mom blessed me with a little cash for Mother’s Day and I was able to purchase a few baby arbor vitaes at Lowes. They look cute, but lonely. $100 gift card at Lowes would give them some brothers and sisters! 🙂
Love!!!What a difference a new light fixture can do.
I am in need of new ones too.
Thanks for a chance to win.
Mary Anne
I know exactly what I’d use it for!! My mom just gave me the cutest little bistro set that she rescued from the curb. It is very sturdy, but the paint is something awful. It was a bright red at one time but is peeling so bad you can’t sit on it. I just have it sitting in front of the house for decoration right now…although my hubby thinks it is the ugliest thing ever! He just can’t see what it can be. So, I would definately buy paint with a gift card. And maybe some flowers in a pot to set on the table..hmmm…..
We have plans to enlarge our deck!
We have many projects on our fixer upper! Right now I’m looking at an outdoor patio table and chairs. I think I’m at Lowes more than the grocery store!