Score on another light fixture from Lowes. You never know when they will mark things down and their light fixtures can be a super deal if you hit them at the right time. I’ve been lucky enough to score at least 4 others on deep clearance, just by being in the right place at the right time. I even darkened this one slightly with my Sophisticated Finishes Blackened Bronze craft paint.
I shared the Sophisticated Finishes craft paint (that I get at Michaels) in this post and you can see what the bottle looks like and how it works. It works best over painted and textured surfaces like picture frames and painted metal. I use a small craft paintbrush to apply it.
My foyer fixture is from Lowes, as is the track lights in the kitchen, the outdoor fixture hanging outside the garage, and another small little fixture that is in the masterbath water closet. All on deep discount.
EDITED: And for those of you who are new and asked if I replace them myself! Oh yes, girlfriends! I have changed out each and every light fixture in the house with no help from my hubby. I taught myself how to do it by trial and error. Always, always turn off the power and then it’s just a matter of rewiring black to black and white to white wires and attaching the copper ground wire. I won’t tell you that it’s foolproof, because I have had many occasions where one almost kicked my butt. But, I persevered and conquered! 🙂 Some that I buy at yardsales don’t have the nuts and bolts to go with them, so I’ve had to improvise and use things from the hardware section. I’ve painted many of those little nuts black to match the fixture after I got them up. But, if you buy one from the store brand new, you shouldn’t have a big problem. They are pretty easy to do and after replacing more than a dozen of them, I’m getting to be an expert.
The only fixture I had help on is the foyer fixture in the 2 story foyer and my hubby stood on a smaller ladder with me on the taller one and we did it….barely, but it got up there. That was the hardest one I’ve tackled and only because of the height of the ceiling. You can read about the foyer fixture here and see the dining room fixture that was replaced around the same time. This was before I painted the dining room when it was red.
If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ll know that I’ve been on a mission for the last 3 years to replace all my builder’s brass light fixtures and I can happily say, it’s done! This one replaced the smaller fixture in the downstairs blue guestbath that I picked up 2 years ago at a yardsale for $5 (you should have seen the brass ugly that was there originally, double yuck).
This was the last one, the floor model, hanging on the wall and I asked the salesgirl to please take it down for me, so she did. Originally marked at $68, it was $17, less 10% for being the floor model, total was $16 plus change, yeah I can handle that.
So yeah, I’m trading up…again! 🙂 Hopefully the last time on this one.
Speaking of trading up, here’s the new yardsale chandy that I recently picked up for $8 in my office nook. I’ve been waiting for just the right one and this is it! It is the perfect size and doesn’t hang down too far and it’s just girlie enough for this space. There’s even room on the curved arms at the bottom to hang some crystals if I find some and I think I just might do that.
Not sure if I will add shades or not, I sort of like it naked.
And backing up from my desk, it’s just adorable in here. You can see my messy desk, I really do use this space. Paint palette on the floor.
So, all my builder’s ugly bright brass is finally out of here (at least in the light fixtures). I have one more trade-up in the upstairs guestbath that I’ll be showing you real soon. In fact, that bath is getting a fun makeover that I can’t wait to tell you about.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Great buy, Rhoda! I love your office and the chandelier is like icing on the cake. I’ve been keeping my eye out for something that will work in my eventual new home office. If it doesn’t have crystals I’ll add my own {which is probably better because then you can add as many or as few as you want}. Love the blue and black in your bathroom {the frame on the mirror looks great}.
On another note, I did a post today on Hooked on Checkerboard Floors and mentioned {put your pic in} you and your laundry room, among others.
Lynda says
What a wonderful bargain! I just purchased a new light fixture from Lowes.com to replace my shiny brass in the powder bath…the first of many!…and I thought I got a good deal. But, this is sooooo much better. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to check their light fixtures more often.
cynthia olson says
Oh I love it Rhoda!! My hubby and I are doing the exact same thing in our home. We scour the sales and I patiently wait for the right one. We have about 2 or 3 fixtures left to find! Thanks again, your always so inspiring! Cindy
Stephanie says
Rhoda,
I love the new light. My builder lights are all silver/nickel, so at least I am not dealing with brass. However, I am considering changing a few out to suit my tastes. I spotted an IKEA hanging fixture that I would prefer over my dining table, rather than the builder nickel chandy.
Love your posts as always!
suzanne says
Oh, I need to start looking as I need to replace “several” ugly brass ones!!!
Suzanne
Do you change them out yourself? Is it difficult to do?
Blair says
Hey! I just wanted to stop by and tell you I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! I enjoy reading your entries everyday. You have amazing style and are an inspiration to other bargain shoppers!
xoxo,
Blair Giles
ButterYum says
I love your paint transformations! Cute new chady in your office too! You can replace the yellowed “candle” stems. Cheap too. PS – I’d opt for shades. 🙂
Kendra says
They look great! What a deal. I’ll have to say that’s the best deal I’ve seen on blog land this week. I need to re-do my mine as well. I’ll have to keep my open for those marked down light fixtures. I love your little office nooks too!
Kendra
http://domesticprincessintraining.blogspot.com
Alyshia says
Great score!!
Good for you!!!
The Crazy Suburban Mom says
Okay, now you’ve got me looking up….at all the fixtures I never changed but ignored by not looking up. and you are absolutely correct.
They are ugly and awful and a brass mess. And had I been paying any attention at all they could have all been changed in the last…um, 12 years.
oh man. I need to get on this big time
Marty says
Neat fixture. I love it. I found two for our masterbath that were marked way down too and painted them with Antique Bronze spray paint. What a difference to get rid of the ugly builder ones. Yours looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty
Amanda-TheEckLife says
I love love love it when Lowes discounts their lighting. I too am trading up on all my fixtures- I have several to go-but enjoy the hunt. Love the light fixture in your office its perfect.
Cherish says
Rhoda,
Love your office! Where did you get the huge memo board that is hanging on your wall? Or how did you make it? I have a couple of store-bought ones that are the small size, but that one is great and I love the frame!!
Richella at Imparting Grace says
Oh, I do love your office nook. I have an office space; I need to take a page from your book and turn it into a cozy nook. You’ve inspired me again!!
Now, about the light fixtures: do you replace them yourself? If so, how did you learn to do it?
Hope you’re having a great week! Take care.
Blessings,
Richella
sandy says
Hi Rhoda,
A messy desk is a GOOD thing 🙂 You should see some of the out-dated fixtures in my house. I’m always looking though!
Happy weekend!
Francie says
I swear, Rhoda, you must have a savings gene that the rest of us don’t have. You score the best deals!! Lovely.
Debbie says
looks GREAT!!! I love those surprise mark downs at lowes!!!!
Pam says
Ok, so you inspire me…I will try a lot of things but working electric has not been one…..but with that set of lights I have waiting for me (for over 2 yrs) and having no one to put them up…I think I will give it a try. I will have to let you know how that goes! Thanks.
Pam
Jen says
I can’t stop by Lowes without checking out the light fixtures. I have gotten some really great deals over the years. I love what you did. I have never thought about painting a NEW fixture before, just the old ones.
Thanks
Rose says
Rhoda, I jump in here every once in awhile and tell you how much I adore your blog, and how I savor it each day. You and I have the same style of home, same decor, etc, etc.
We could have so much fun hanging chandies together! You are younger than I, so you would have to be on the high end. If we couldn’t accomplish it, I’m sure we could count on Grandma Eleanor to “get er done!”