DIY Overhead Nursery Light

There was no way that I was leaving the builder-grade boob light in the nursery.  In case you're not familiar with that terminology, here is the definition from Urban Dictionary.  And here are some examples.

After reading Jenny's tutorial for this DIY branch light many months ago (we were only still discussing the addition of a child at that point), I actually went out and purchased the supplies to make it with the intention for it to replace the chandelier in our closet that only has 2/3 working sockets.  But then I never built it.  

Turns out that was a good thing as it is perfect for the overhead light in the nursery.  

This is a really simple light project that anyone can do.  There is no wiring involved in making the actual light (just in installing it in the room as with any overhead light).

Supplies:

• ceiling medallion (optional)
• socket splitters (I think I used 14)
• light bulbs (I chose clear, round 25 W bulbs and needed 15)
• porcelain ceiling socket
• spray paint

To assemble, simply screw your first socket splitter into the ceiling socket and then continue adding splitters and shaping it into a design that you like.  I played around a bit and came up with this.

You could also do a longer, "drippier" design like this if you have tall ceilings.

Then, I stuffed cotton balls into the sockets to protect the electrical elements and Seth sprayed it and the ceiling medallion gold.

After that, it was just a matter of installing it and adding the bulbs.

With fifteen, 25 W bulbs this baby gives off quite a bit of light.  Thankfully, when Seth replaced the cream colored switches, he installed a dimmer switch for this room.

The "branching" aspect of it ties into the subtle woodsy/nature vibe that we have going on (which you'll see soon enough).  

Next up, I'll show you the tripod floor lamp that Seth made.

Schoolhouse Inspired Hallway Lights

The other day Seth and I were walking around the lighting department at Home Depot when I spotted these schoolhouse inspired lights for only $30!  (Just so you know, we've had these up for 3-4 weeks and have not had either globe fall off - not sure what happened to the other reviewers.)

I knew they would be the perfect replacement for the tiny, dingy, brass lights currently on the ceiling.

It took no time for Seth to swap them out.

Now, I just need to touch up around the bases.  And I have no idea what color the ceiling paint is.  Hmmm….

I'm loving the vintage feel that they bring to the hallway.  

Another project checked off the list!

A New Fridge, An Overhead Light, and a Mood Board

Seth and I have continued to make some progress in the kitchen.  Our new stainless steel fridge is in place and I couldn't be happier.

It's amazing how an ice maker can turn your life around.  Okay.  That may be an exaggeration, but I'm loving the fact that I no longer have to grab freezing cold ice out of a bag with my bare hands when I want a cool drink.  To be fair, our old fridge did have an ice maker, but it produced weird tasting ice.  There is nothing worse than having your favorite beverage tainted by bad ice.

We have also retired our beloved brita pitcher (you may have noticed it sitting on top of the fridge in the first photo) since we now have filtered water in the door as well.  I will admit that I miss the brita.  The filtered water from the fridge doesn't taste as good as my brita water did.  Oh, well. Maybe we'll bring the brita back at some point.  It will be like Justin Timberlake bringing sexy back. Brita water is that good.

We also installed a new overhead light.  We inherited a large "boob light" when we purchased the house, which I somehow never managed to get a picture of.  It was like this but in oil-rubbed bronze. I found our replacement light on sale at Lamps Plus for $99 with free shipping.  Not too bad.

I like the modern aesthetic of the new light.  And I think it blends well with our other two light choices in the room.  

The kitchen is slowly but surely taking shape.  Seth and I ordered a new cooktop, new countertops, and a new faucet last week.  We are also trying to save up for a new wall oven.  The trim will be painted white (finally!) within the next few weeks.  I decided to attempt my first mood board to show you guys an overall picture of the direction that we're heading with the kitchen makeover. Some of the things below are already in place, some we have purchased and have yet to install, and some are on our my wish list.  I'll go into more detail below.

Side note: I can't figure out how to get numbers above 10 in polyvore so that is why the numbering started over with a different set after 10.  I apologize.  If anyone knows how to get higher numbers, please let me know.

1.  Our new overhead light from Lamps Plus (I snagged it on sale for $99)  /  2.  LG HiMacs Solid Surface Countertops in Cotton Dust (awaiting arrival)  /  3.  White subway tile with gray grout (on the wish list)  /  4.  The pendant over our kitchen sink (in place)  /  5.  Our new Ruvati faucet (to be installed when our new countertops come in)  /  6.  Our kitchen wall color - Valspar's Clean White from the Waverly collection (done)  /  7.  Our chalkboard wall (done)  /  8.  Our ceiling color - Benjamin Moore's Sesame (done)  /  9.  We ordered a sink similar to this for the kitchen (I'll talk more about why we chose a single basin over a double basin in a later post)  /  10.  Our curtain fabric - Braemore's Gazebo pattern in the cloud color way (done)  /  

1.  Possible color for our cabinets (my plan is to use a lighter gray if we decide to paint all the cabinets the same color)  /  2.  Other cabinet color options (if we decide to do two tone cabinets like this, this, or this)  /  3.  Ikea's Metrik handle (to be used on our drawers)  /  4.  Anthropologie's Feather Imprint Knob (in the running for our cabinet knobs)  /  5.  CB2's Vapor Chair (my vision for the eat-in area)  /  6.  West Elm's globe pendant light (in place over our eat in area)  /  7.  CB2's Twist Bistro Table (on the wish list for the eat-in area)

I also recently found this rug that I'm considering for the sink area.  If you look closely at the curtain fabric, you can see a similar turquoise color.  The countertops and sink are supposed to be installed in the next 4-6 weeks (gosh, that seems like an eternity at this point).  After that, we can install the new cooktop and faucet.  Then, when we work up the energy and mentally prepare ourselves, we will tackle the cabinets and the floor.  I'm so excited to get rid of all that cream.  Here is a reminder of how far we've come.

I still have some small projects for the laundry area up my sleeve.  I'm thinking a shelf with some baskets for storing clean socks and unmentionables that can be grabbed when full for transport back to the bedroom.  Also, a small piece of art may be in order.

I hope you'll stick with me through the next few months as we chip away at the to do list and inch closer to the reveal of our fresh, modern kitchen!