Showing posts with label light fixture. Show all posts

Outdoor Happiness

When back in the day when I first bought my house the back "yard" was a very sad and terrible looking space. Since the dryer sat in front of the door just enough that you couldn't use it, I didn't give much attention to it. I would just cringe and pretend it wasn't there when I saw it. Here's an original angle:


A wondrous "before" shot of the door of doom:


The weird cheap light fixture that has never worked in my recollection:


Overall, I wouldn't describe it as a pleasant area. The cheap lighting, the scary door, the cheap tiny piece of gutter above the door, broken steps, and peeling paint. So this year I decided it was time to step up the game on the entire exterior. Last summer I replaced the light on the front of the house:



The lovely gentle that gave me the light for the front, also gave me another for the back! So after one year of having it around the house, I decided to finally install it:


The new stark white door looks so incredible and keeps the house so much cooler. I love it! But it did make the peeling paint look that much more terrible...


Here's a full range view, ignore the lumber and debris, that should be gone soon!


Every year I repaint the front porch, so it totally makes sense that I should repaint the back porch. Finally. After six years. I used the same paint from the front porch to keep costs down and make it look cohesive.


Ah fresh paint how much I love you! Here's another view from the same angle with the light and paint. The new steps also look fantastic! There are still a few things to do, for instance; clean up the rubbish, paint the new step runners, and fix the mulch and rock leading up to the steps. 

 

I feel like it looks a thousand times better! It makes the back of the house much more in line with the rest of the house. Plus it helps increase the resale potential, if I ever get to that point of course. Maybe next year I can build a wood fence along the chain link to create more separation and visual appeasement from the neighbor's yard. Hopefully before the summer is out I can get you a full updated image of the space with accessories and everything! I hope you like it as much as I!

Team Should-Finally-Fix-That

It has been so long since I posted! The end of the year is such a busy crazy time for a teacher, especially a first year! But now it is officially summer (6 weeks of paid vacation!) and I have finally the time and energy to get things done. So I have made a simple list of things that have to get done. Mostly things I've put off for about five years. No rush right?

First things first: I need paint this outdated light fixture and make the light actually work. It has worked since 2009, whoops.


2. I started this project last summer. I think I should probably go ahead and like... I dunno... finish painting the beam...


3. My bedroom needs to have all the trim updated and painted out. It looks so tacky being the outdated 80s faux wood.


4. On that same note... I should probably install the trim I bought for the door in March.


5. Oh and this other randomly not updated light fixture in the master bath. Should do that too.


6. I exploded a bottle of nail polish on my wall... my favorite new color. :( I need to repaint the wall and the trim. 


7. Within the next couple weeks I am going to replace these doors just like I did with the master bedroom, that is going to be fabulous! Fully updated trim and doors! Amazing! Fully updated and no more ugly wood!


8. I am also thinking about replacing this door to make it coordinate with the others in the house, though it is in the best shape of all, so it might be one I can postpone for a bit.


9. New backdoor! That is actually happening this week! Finally. It is going to be great to have a secondary entrance that is fully functional and safe. 


10. Though it is hard to see... I am also getting new gutters this week! Super expensive... but it will be nice to have a fully functional system on the house. Then I can actually repaint the porch and beams without losing all progress from rain the next day. 


Operation Get-er-Done has officially begun! Here's to an excellent summer. :)

Really, I'm Not a Fan.

****If you are seeing this content on http://manufacturedhomefacts.com/ please be advised it is there without permission! thismessybusiness.com is the OFFICIAL and only site I publish on!***

Happy Friday! I'm so glad that it is finally Friday! I love this day. I still have to work both jobs today but! It is Friday of our homecoming week. Kids are crazy for this homecoming stuff. 

For real.

Anyways! One thing that has always struck me as odd at my house is the fact that the previous owners installed only ONE ceiling light in the entire living room/dining room space. That particular ceiling light being a ceiling fan over the dining table. Let's get real here bro.

That's ah-nastah. (nasty)

Here's the view from the front door.


I couldn't be going around with that anymore. About 4 years ago I spray painted the original gold ceiling fan to make it passable until I had the money and the desire to replace it. Since I've upgraded the kitchen, the barstools, the entertainment center, the cardenza, the wall color, and the wall art, it only seemed fitting that I ought to finally fix the light.

I found this beauty on clearance at Lowe's for $129.00 down from $259.00. I mean that is definitely a good price for a 9 light chandelier but as an employee I was able to get it for $65.00. Sliding into home base with a steal!




Here is a final parting view of the ceiling fan, I got rid of it in true trailer style. Free sign on the corner! It was only out there for about five minutes. Nice right?


This dude came with SOOOO MUCH packaging it was insane. But I love the oil rubbed bronze look, and it really connects with the kitchen quite beautifully.


I had to paint that funny chunk around the light hole. Let's just say taking this sucker down and putting him up was not easy, I read the directions but they were remarkable unclear about all the wires and the cords and the chains and all that noise.


After several hours, my trusty assistant, Lucy, and I completed the task of hanging and swagging this beautiful light over. It was hard! But dang it looks sooooo good.



Here it is again!


Okay one more close up! I still have to fix the cords but it looks so awesome. I love it.


I love clearance! Especially since I get such a good deal on stuff working at Lowe's, working two jobs might be hard but it can be worth it!

Let There Be Light!

****If you are seeing this content on http://manufacturedhomefacts.com/ please be advised it is there without permission! thismessybusiness.com is the OFFICIAL and only site I publish on!***

My dear lovely reader and blogger friends! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get a post together for you, but this time there are happy reasons for my slacking. I am pleased to announce that I received a full-time teaching position at a local high school! I teach 10th grade English and I love it! However I only got hired about a week and a half before school started, which was August 12th for us this year.

It was a mad scramble for paperwork turn in, get to the training days, set up a classroom, and start planning stuff for kids to learn. All while working 20 to 30 hours still at Lowe's, taking care of a house, and being a single puppy mama.

It's been crazy. 

But awesome! Hopefully I will be able to share my classroom photos with you but! In the meantime I do have a curb appeal post for you that's some real detrashing the hood action!



Please meet my exterior light, Creepy Cobweb Light:


I've had that light since I bought the house back in 2008 but it is not a good mix for my house. It is stuffed full of cobwebs and the top was so close to the awning thing that you couldn't change the bulb. It wasn't bright either, so safety was something that definitely concerned me.

Since I work at Lowe's I get a discount on items in the store, even clearance items! Of course I also work with people, like my lovely friend Cory. Cory gave me these lights that he had gotten on clearance for $5.00 but was never going to use. Check out how cool they are!


It is sooooo bright too! It lights up the entire porch at night which is great!


It upgrades the entire look of the place, giving it a more modern feel and making the entry area so much prettier and more "me." Which I of course love. A lot.



Here's a snapshot of the overall effect. My flowers are looking awesome also, I loveeeee the sweet potato vines. That's happening every year from now on. Definitely.


Total project investment: $0.00

That's a budget even my dad could love!

Run-On List of Lists

So I got the idea to compile a gigantic list of all things my house from one of every home decor bloggers favorite sites Young House Love. Such amazing smart people. This list includes all the things I have done to each room and still want to do and is styled similiarly to the one on YHL. I think it helps me with prioritizing and knowing where to go. I know I've made a lot of lists lately but budget restraints have kept me from really starting any major projects. Hopefully this helps me decide what I can do. :)
 
Exterior/Porch:

(50% complete)
 
To-Do:
  • Fix step into house
  • Remove ramp (it's rotting and collapsing)
  • Rebuild steps in back yard
  • Pot plants
  • Repaint porch
  • Grow more grass
  • Build new back porch
  • Replace exterior doors
  • figure out a new carport situation (former roommate drove into a post so it's on it's way out)
  • organize sharage (shed+garagey thing=sharage)
  • add more motion sensor/security lighting
  • new gutters for the whole house
  • enhance privacy in back yard either with new fence or just slats
Done:
  • The yard has finally started to grow grass again...
  • Repainted the lawn furniture
  • Got a grill and lots of pots. 
 
Entryway:
 
(75% complete)
 
To-Do:
  • Maybe get a runner rug somewhere down the line
  • Keep updating accesories
  • Paint walls
  • Paint back of door a fun accent color
Done:
  • Replaced the floors in the whole house
  • Got a fabulous vintage vanity
  • Hung some art 

Living Room: 
(50%ish complete) 
 
To Do:
 If you have seen my recent post about the living room you know the list is pretty long. I say "50%ish complete" because it's fully decorated and pretty I'm just in the market to go Beyonce on that room and "upgrade ya."
 
  •  Consign glass end tables
  • Fix 50" TV from rents
  • Sell IKEA entertainment stand
  • Build entertainment wal
  • make a decision on wingback chair (reupholster? Sell? Give away?)
  • New sectional couch
  • New flat weave area rug (more durable than fluffy shag rug now)
  • Paint ceiling (white, durr)
  • Paint walls (either Revere Pewter by BM or Moonshine by BM)
  • paint moding and beam to  match beadboard (white)
  • replace interior doors (the holey 80's hanging off the hinges doors suck)

  • Done:
  • replaced coffee table
  • upgraded wall art
  • upgraded lighting
  • love my curtains (hehe)


  • Dining Room:
    (20%ish complete) 
     
    To-Do:
    This is sort of the same deal as the living room. I want to upgrade the dining area and make it more "my style" within the next year or so. Right now I have the same furniture in there I've had since I was 18. So it's totally done remodel wise.
    • Buy new table (this one from IKEA)
    • New chairs that don't have fabric seats
    • Jute rug for under table
    • Upgrade wall art on "big wall"
    • Figure out how the heck to make window wall function/look good.
    • Paint walls to go with living room and entryway
    • Find a new fabulous light fixture. (sort of feeling a drum shade chandelier)
    • paint the ceiling/molding (white o course)
    Done:
    • love my curtains
    • painted the ceiling fan so it works well enough for now
    • upgraded flooring through out the house
     
    Kitchen:
    (75% completed)
    
     
    To Do:
    • replace painted countertops with a new laminate (love solid surface-but it's a trailer ya'll)
    • repaint cabinets with more durable paint (been a year since I've painted em and they chip)
    • frame out doors to create shaker style
    • replace hardware
    • paint ceiling/molding to match rest of living space
    • paint behind fridge (hehe)
    • frame out wallpaper after new countertops are in
    • install new faucet
    • get prettier cabinet support sticks
    • make bar counter out of wood for a butcher block effect (Like this blogger did here.)
    • Make range hood less homely.
    Done:
    Master Bedchamber:
    (90% complete) 
     
     
    To-Do:
    • upgrade tiny nightstands to small dressers upcycled from thrift store (I have lots of clothes)
    • switch living room rug to bedroom and jute rug to dining room
    • new headboard/footboard set up
    • smaller pillows (brown ones)
    • upgrade ceiling fan to pretty light
    • paint the molding around bathroom entry, upgrade to prettier trim? maybah? 
    • upgrade to double rods
    • new bedroom door
    • replace mini-blinds
    Done:
    • upgraded all the flooring
    • removed crazy scary sliding closet doors
    • installed closet organizer
    • revamped filing cabinet
    • painted ceiling fan so it's prettier for now
    • took down uglio I-wish-I-was-French-doors
    • put up curtains for closet/bathroom doors
    • turned cheapy bookcase into magical shoe display land
    • upgraded desk area
    • added new/pretty artwork
     Master Bathroom:
     
    
    (95% complete)
    
     
    To-Do:
    • replace/fix shower stall (at least the door, it pops open. Sebastian likes it. I don't.)
    • take down cheap over the potty thing and install something prettier (only if there's studs)
    • recaulk around the vanities/tubs/shower/wet places.
    • upgrade the hardware (just painted the original stuff when I did the redo. heh.)
    • add second shelf under little shelf that has been in my trunk for 3 years... no rush yo.
    • work around garden tub area to add new tile or something. It's ugly.
    Done:
    • repainted all cabinets in a two tone fashion
    • upgraded artwork
    • painted the walls and ceilings
    • added accessories
    • installed jewelry cabinet
    • added changing chair
    Cube Hallway:
    (60% complete)
     
    To-Do:
    • Paint the walls to match the living room space
    • Paint ceiling/molding
    • add beadboard wallpaper from Lowe's to bottom to make it match the living room
    • upgrade switch covers
    • remove drywall strips and texture
    • replace/repaint light fixture
    • replace both bedroom and bathroom door and handles
    Done:
    • added storage using old microwave stand
    • upgraded flooring along with the rest of the house
    • painted furnace cover (gotta love trailers)
    Bedroom #2:
    (10% complete) 
     
    To-Do:
    This is when my unique situation comes into play. Right now in order to afford the mortgage (just graduated college-seeking new full-time job) I rent out bedrooms #2 and #3 for extra cash. Meaning I can't do much in this room. My goal time to "reclaim" this room is by the end of 2014. So a year and a half. This list will read as the future office I want it to be.
    • since this will be my office one day, I want to repaint it completely.
    • replace bedroom door and knob
    • add custom desk with lots of storage. ((sort of like this)
    • add more to the existing closet organizer for files/paperwork/craft supplies
    • get a wonderful amazing rug
    • texture the walls
    • upgrade the curtain rod
    Done:
    • flooring is all replaced with the rest of the house
    • upgraded the light switch covers
    • new water heater (it's in the closet in there, again, trailer weirdness)
    • painted the ceiling and molding
    • added closet organizer for max storage space
    • took down crazy ugly closet doors and replaced with curtains
    Bedroom #3:
     
    (50% complete)

     To Do:
    Again this is a similiar situation to what's going on with bedroom #2. I rent this room out also because I need help with the mortgage and such. Back in the day it was my office but in the future it will be a guest room. If my life follows it's current path that should be by the end of 2013. Yay!
    • upgrade night stand and dresser
    • add headboard
    • buy a second curtain for the closet (currently has desk on one side, roomie clothes on the other)
    • add more shelving to closet organizer so can be used for seasonal shoes/clothes, etc.
    • replace bedroom door and knob
    • replace mini-blinds
    Done:
    • upgraded all the flooring with rest of the house
    • purchased a full-sized guest bed
    • upgraded the curtains
    • added new curtain rod
    • painted magnificent stripes
    • already own bedding for future guest
    • have a good grey IKEA rug
    • have a TV for guest room
    • added closet organizer
    • upgraded ceiling light
    Guest bathroom:
    (90% complete)
    
     To-Do:
    • upgrade to energy efficient white potty (bye-bye bisque)
    • add trim under countertop
    • replace mirror
    • touch up paint
    Done:
    • painted all the walls Dolphin by Home Depot's Martha Stewart collection
    • replaced countertop
    • replaced faucet
    • tiled shower and flooring
    • replaced bathtub
    • fixed faucet/showerhead
    • added storage cabinet
    • upgraded light fixtures
    • upgraded cabinet handles
    • upgraded towel bar
    • added new art work (see the reveal for the whole thing here)
    Laundry Room:
    (68% complete)

     To-Do:
    • lighten up the paint color, it's pretty dark
    • add tile wallpaper backsplash on space under cabinets
    • replace exterior door with an outswing insulated door with dead bolts
    • fix electric... :/
    • upgrade light fixture
    • added microchip pet door for Sebastian (little spendy but I don't want Pouka and Lucy going outside)
    Done:
    • new energy efficient washer/dryer
    • build countertop
    • added storage for kitty area
    • added shelf for storage baskets
    • painted ceiling/trim/molding
    • painted cabinets
    • added cabinet hardware
    • upgraded outlet covers

     All in all, I have definitely done a lot since I've owned the house. (it'll be 5 years in May. craycray yo.) Some of the things I want to do just are reflective of where I am in my life and upgrading from the free college furniture to stuff that I would like to have for years to come. Some of it is to just keep up with the trends. At this point I think some of my redos are going to be a little sporatic. So for example, replacing furniture might be 6 months to 2 years depending on what I decide to get.

    The first five things I do plan on doing are:
    • repainting the living room (pretty sure Revere Pewter by BM)
    • painting the ceiling in the kitchen/living room/dining room area
    • paint laundry room
    • upgrade countertops
    • replace back exterior door
    Hopefully some of those other nit-picky things get knocked off along with the ones listed above. I think it will be great! Besides I get my first paycheck in March for substitute teaching so I'll finally be able to do things! (thank all holyness everywhere.)




    Lighten Up!

     Happy Monday everyone! This is sort of a scary Monday for me... I have surgery today at 3:30pm in order to *finally* remove the cyst on my right ovary. I'm definitely scared, but it's about time that I had it done since I've been battling it for a few months now. In the meantime I've got a few posts scheduled for you to see! You will probably be relieved, they are not all kitchen related!

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    Alright now that the housekeeping stuff is out of the way I'll get to the fun stuff! Recently I've had another switcharoo of roommates and the only bedroom ceiling I had left unpainted was crying out for attention. It wanted to match! And it also wanted a less cheap-looking light fixture.

    Here's the sad and dark before:


    I decided to just go with a basic WalMart flushmount for that bedroom. It works because it sits closer to the ceiling and still looks good. The ceilings in the bedrooms aren't super high so cute and dangly chandeliers are out.


    Here's the ceiling after a fresh coat of paint. Looks wayyy better right?


    And the new light from the hallway! I love the way that doing little things makes such a huge difference. New fresh and shiny ceiling and light fixture. Yay!


    It makes the room seem sooo much bigger. It's fantastic. Plus the new light fixture really makes it look more updated.



    Hope everyone enjoys their Monday!