Before:
After:
And the big picture:
I could not find a fixture I really loved so I settle for one I thought was kind of cute.
Once you have installed a ceiling fan, installing a light fixture is nothing. NOTHING. Unless of course it is a dangly one and the existing hole is not centered over where your table will be but you forget so you shorten both the chain and the wiring to the exact length you need and then have to re-lengthen everything so you can swag it over to the appropriate location and only barely, BARELY have enough wire to do the job.
Not that that happened to me or anything. Ahem.
The wall switch was already a dimmer so now I not only have light, I have MOOD light. Very groovy.
Here is what the original fixture looked like in all its gold plastic glory:
Yes, plastic, a fact I did not discover until I began cleaning it in preparation for paint. Those four hook-like things attach to the skinny part in the center for the sole purpose of holding more crystals, which I had already removed and cleaned:
I did get it painted:
But then I realized it would still be a curly, crystally, PLASTIC monstrosity no matter how much I tried to disguise it. Perhaps one day I will reattach all the crystals and sell it on Craigslist.
Have you done any home improvement projects lately?
LOVE the new light fixture! Throw away the old one and use the crystal pendants on your Christmas tree - I collect antique ones for that purpose and they add a lot of sparkle to the tree.
Posted by: JCW | June 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM
JCW: What a great idea! My tree will be oh-so-sparkly this year.
Posted by: GetSheila | June 29, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Oh my! You really went all out to preserve the original fixture. I like the new one better anyway.
AND I love JT's idea for the crystal pendants. So purty.
Posted by: Jenn Bo | June 30, 2008 at 08:33 AM
You rock, girl. I'm a big believer in women/girls being able to hang sheetrock and install light fixtures and change their car's radiator fluid, and men/boys being able to cook and do laundry and sew. You did an excellent job with the light fixture - I like it (and nice recovery when you discovered the glitch in the location of the hole).
Of course, you need to keep these mad home improvement skillz a deep dark secret, because the second any of your friends find out, they'll be asking you over, under the pretense of having drinks or watching a movie, but REALLY wanting you to fix that annoying drip in the faucet.
Which reminds me, wanna come over and watch a movie and have some drinks? :)
Posted by: Trish | July 01, 2008 at 04:37 PM
OH! That reminds me... I've been meaning to ask if you'd like to come stay the weekend to watch some movies and fix some sinks..
er...I mean, have some drinks.
Posted by: JCW | July 02, 2008 at 08:52 AM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You people are funny.
Posted by: GetSheila | July 03, 2008 at 07:19 AM
My entire 2nd floor is exposed to the weather. I bet you could come help our framers (who are, btw, quite handsome and young!)
Posted by: Jenn Bo | July 03, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I'm in awe of your talents and energy. My biggest project today was turning the compost pile, with the tractor.
Posted by: Karen | July 04, 2008 at 07:36 PM
JennBo: Don't tease me.
Karen: Coming from a woman who actually HAS a compost pile AND knows how to drive a tractor, that is high praise indeed.
Posted by: GetSheila | July 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM
I'll let you drive it when you come to visit :-)
Posted by: Karen | July 05, 2008 at 08:07 PM