I’m such a firm believer that lighting makes a big difference in a home. Did any of you inherit one of these lovelies in your kitchen? I’ve been eyeballing this thing for 3 years with plans of one day getting rid of the white box. Hate these things! I guess the only thing they are good for is they do put out a lot of light, but they sure are unattractive. I had my eye on one of those pretty track lights with adjustable spotlights. I think they are pretty neat.
So, when I found a deal last week at Lowes, I jumped on it. I had to be a bulldog about it, but I got the deal. I was in one Lowes store and saw these on clearance for $69.50. Of course, they had no more, only the display model was up there. He looked on the computer and saw that another store not far away had a couple in their stock, so he gave me the phone number to call. I did call on my way out of the store and the other store told me that they are not obligated to match a clearance price from another store. I couldn’t believe that policy! He told me I could come by and check it out and to at least ask, but didn’t give me much hopes of getting the clearance price. Regular price was $150.00, way more than I wanted to pay. So after checking in at the store and asking again about matching the clearance price, at first I was told no by the department manager. I insisted on talking with another manager behind the Customer Service counter. He asked me what I was looking at, so I went and showed it to him. He brought it back up to the counter and checked in his computer and told me HE COULD MATCH THE PRICE! Yippee! I was pretty excited.
So, I took it home and proceeded to install it the next day. Wherein my hubby came in to help me hold it up as I was trying to put the screws in and I’ll just go ahead and tell you that I dropped the teeny tiny screw 4 times and the 4th time it went down the heat vent. See, my projects don’t all go perfectly smooth, so you can feel better about your own now. Hubby shook his head, called me Blonde, and left me to it as I scrambled to find another screw that would fit. I found one, got it installed and I’m a happy girl! The old white box left 2 holes on either side of the main box and I had to caulk them with caulking, but luckily the 2 side mounts covered most of it up, so it’s really not noticeable after I touched it up with white ceiling paint.
It’s an antique brass finish which looks perfectly fine with the hanging chandelier in here that I got at a yardsale. And I love those little swivel heads on it that can be moved all around the kitchen. It’s a bright white light which is great for task lighting.
Hubby’s response to the new tracklight was not all that enthusiastic (he thought the old one was just FINE) and his first question was, how much are those replacement light bulbs going to cost me. Ha! I’ll have to find that out next time I’m in the store. Men and women sure have different ways of looking at things, don’t they?
I then moved on to the master bath and I’m happy to say, that all the light fixtures are now completed, including 2 of these. Aren’t these about the ugliest things you’ve ever seen? We live in a nice 10 year old house, but the fixtures these builders put in leave a lot to be desired. After 3 years, I’ve finally changed them all out, many from yardsales and a few on sale at Lowes, so I did get some great deals. Every single builder’s brass fixture is gone now and none too soon for me.
Ahhh, much better! I had already bought the over the mirror fixture below, so now they all coordinate. These are not overly expensive fixtures (from Home Depot), but work just fine for me. If you’re patient, you can find some good deals out there, just keep your eyes peeled.
And speaking of the kitchen, I have other exciting news. I’m finally getting granite countertops! We’ve currently got tiles in the kitchen and after 3 years, the grout is looking pretty rough. I’ll do a kitchen post soon and we’ll talk about countertops. I want to hear what all of you have too!
Since this is a before and after post, I’m going to participate in Susan’s Met Monday, so go and check out all the other inspiration from her blog today, Naps on the Porch.
Birmingham Girls: Check out the post below about our Saturday flea market adventure next weekend!
I’ve also got another special guest coming by on Wednesday for a fun post, so be sure to stop back by. I think you’ll love this girl!
I have all builders brass door fixtures. Changing out all my door handles would cost me an arm and a leg. I plan on spray painting them this summer a dark charcoal.
Hi Rhoda~
My post today is about lighting too, just not about me changing MINE. I love your new fixtures, can’t wait to change out some of mine. I will have to start shutting off some power and doing it. There are several great fixtures sitting around in the basement just waiting to be changed! My poor husband doesn’t have the time. Love these!
~Misti
Great lighting finds!
I love your new kitchen light fixture. I need to work on replacing some of mine too.
You’re becoming quite an electrician, aren’t you?! You go girl! It all looks great.
Hugs!
Kat
The new track lighting is so pretty – I never knew they made them in silver or other colors like that. It looks great! Congratulations on getting granite – I can’t wait to see it. Thank you for your sweet comments on my bathroom sprucing. :)Have a great week!
Lovely choice for today’s Met Monday! Sorry for the late visit; too many errands…
Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes
Great lights!
sandy toe
Oh, I LOVE all of the new fixtures! There’s just something about those builder’s brass fixtures…That’s mostly what I have in my house and I can’t wait to finish changing them out. Yours all look beautiful – especially the one about the bathroom mirror.
I’ve recently found your blog and I love it! Thanks for all of your great ideas and advice!
Well your a handy, dandy gal to have around.
Ciao
Wonderful lighting choices!
And you do the wiring yourself? I’d do that, but I’m afraid of heights, so I’d need ceiling fixtures that were mounted on the floor!
I’ll stick to table lamps, lol.
Lovely blog, many thanks!!
Cass
You’re such a brave girl to work with electricity! I’m not comfortable at all switching out lighting like that. The changes really did make a huge difference. Looks great!
Perfection! those are so pretty – love the brass on them. really really nice. and Lowes are crazy people – what a policy!!
love this – can’t wait for the final kitchen redo.
What a difference lighting can make! I love what changes you have made, Fabulous Darling!
xoxo,
Cathleen
Love the new light in your kitchen!
I’ve been planning to do the same thing in mine. Right now there’s a really ugly ceiling fan there.
AKA grease magnet! You’ve inspired me to add this project to my long list of things to do SOON!
Not sure I’ll make it on Saturday. I might need to stay home and get something accomplished? Will let you know for sure later…
Morning girl..I have one of those 'boxes' in my kitchen and have wondered what to do to get just as much light but out of something pretty! These look great!
I have changed out alot of my builder's fixtures and hope to change some more.
Thanks for coming by and for the comments on the molding…girl I stood in Lowes for the longest trying to decide what to do…I had picked out my wood molding already and Bill was ready to load it up but I just knew I'd waste so much of it and I'd never get it to look as good as yours and I almost made myself sick trying to make a decision…but in the end I know the premade was the best route for me and I really am pleased with it…Just need another 'arm & an a leg' to get some more! lol lol
You found yourself some pretty lights. Very nice indeed!
Don’t you love that Lowes??? They look great, Rhoda!!
Hugs,
Susan
I love the lighting! I can’t wait to start replacing the lighting in my house. The bad part is I have to replace it in every room.
I just wanted you to know that I love reading your blog and hope that we can become blog buddies!
I totally agree. Lighting makes a HUGE difference. I love your choices too! I’m heading over for your suggestion inspiration.