Sunday, August 9, 2009

New lights - glorious new lights

Welcome to my first Metamorphosis Monday - hosted by Between Naps on the Porch. You can rush right over there and see what other wonderful changes bloggers are making in their homes and yard.

When Don was in the hospital, our son was out here visiting from West Virginia. He spent a lot of time at the hospital, plus he also drove me around so I wouldn't have to drive all the time, replaced lights in five rooms of our house, put a dimmer switch on the dining room chandelier, switched some crazy light switches in one bathroom, painted the kitchen (with help from his older sister), watched his nephews one day each (the whole day), bought me meals at the cafeteria many, many times, took his nephews to the cafeteria many, many times, went to Lowes and Home Depot any number of times, put up the whirlygig on the swingset so his dad could see it when he came home from the hospital, repaired, mended and fixed all sorts of things and the day he was leaving to go back to WV he said - I wish I'd had time to do more things around the house. We miss him terribly - not just for the things he does around the house - but just because he lives so far away and we don't get to visit often. He and Jamie are coming out for christmas this year - what a celebration we'll have - our whole family together for the holidays!!!!


The first project was to replace the ordinary (read, uggggly) lights in the bathrooms. . .

This one was so ugly I didn't even buy a replacement bulb when one of the bulbs blew out - I just left it empty and ugly. Do you see my hand holding the camera up to get a picture?


This was the fixture in the shower area of the master bath - ohhhh such bad taste . . .

And the guest bath - more plain and homely lights.

Over the kitchen sink- oh how my heart ached each time I had to look at these lights. And look at the wallpaper behind them - ohhhhhhhhhh just awful. The kitchen has white counters with pine green tile edging, and white/pine green flooring - and then this GAWD AWFUL pastel print wallpaper, with herbs and words and ohhh I just can't describe the ugly of it all.

Near the skylight in the kitchen - over the bar. . .

How ugly can you get? And they were so bright you could land an airplane in there . . . and the light fixtures had all changed colors, I guess from the plastic getting hot, but none of them are the same disfigured color . . .

The old dining room chandelier - again with the landing of airplanes. This was so bright - even after we switched out the clear bulbs for white frosted ones - and just not my style at all - it had to go.

And now - the pretty new lights . . .

These pretty shell shaped lights in the master bathroom - better known as "my" bathroom. We found them at Lowes on our first trip there and I just couldn't resist them.

I love how they reflect in the mirror . . .

And in Don's bathroom - these remind me of sand and sea . . .

This is how they look with the light turned on - and no flash . . .

The pretty milkglass shades on the ceilings of both bathrooms - oh how I love milkglass. . .

Over the kitchen sink - the prettiest little light you ever saw - in the background you can see a hint of my teapot collection - and look at that white wall - ahhhh heaven - I'm in heaven I tell you!!!

Over the bar - now that's more like it - lovely hanging school house lights. . .

The new chandelier in the dining room - it is just like the one our son and DIL have in their dining room in WV . . .

With the new dimmer switch we can have mood lighting - isn't that the prettiest design on the chandelier?

And of course we can't forget sawing man. We don't have a fence to put him on - so Rusty attached a 2x2 to the top of the wooden swingset. Now we can see him while he is busy sawing wood all summer. In the winter winds he gets to go inside the shed where it is safer, and he can rest from his work.

We love the new lights - it is amazing how much of a difference they make in the look of the house - so much prettier. What have you changed lately to make your house more to your taste?

36 comments:

Signing Out said...

Wow, Joann, the new light fixtures look fantastic! They make a huge difference!

What a great son you have, too! I am sure you miss him terribly.

I hope your husband is doing better.

Jane

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow...beautiful lighting! I bet it feels like a whole new house with all your new lighting! Thanks for taking pics and sharing with us for Met Monday! :-) Susan

Sharlotte said...

What a wonderful son to take care of all those projects for you! And those projects, WOW! I'll bet you do love the new lighting. It makes such a difference, doesn't it? We replaced just two in our home and I was thrilled! I know you are absolutely ecstatic with all your lovely changes! I was trying to find a favorite, but I can't choose! They are all fantastic!

I know this Christmas will indeed be very special with your family together...it's just around the corner!

Karen said...

The old dining room chandelier is very similar to one that was in this home when we bought it. We replaced it quite a while back. An interesting post with all the new light fixtures.

luv2quilt2 said...

Isn't it amazing what a difference good lighting can make? And what a visit from a distant son makes? And I know it's distant because I live in WV. Hope your husband will be home and recovering soon in your improved surroundings.

Barb said...

What a fresh look your new lights gives everything...and so wonderful of your son to take time to do that for you.

Jocelyn said...

What a delightful change the light fixtures make! Hope there won't be any 747's looking for an airstrip :-)

DesignTies said...

Oh, I hate those Hollywood bathroom light fixtures too!! Luckily, we got rid of ours a few years back.

All your new light fixtures look great :-) Just changing a fixture really makes a big difference in how a room looks.

I hope Don is doing well.

Kelly @ DesignTies

Anonymous said...

What a sweet son you have! I know you're so proud of him and will miss him. He knew what was needed to be done and he just did it! Very caring, indeed. I hope your husband will be feeling better in a short time!

Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;O

Michelle said...

Your new lighting looks great. It's amazing how little changes like that can make such a big difference to the look and feel of the whole house. I especially like the first bathroom light. So pretty!

Martha said...

What pretty light fixtures -- quite a transformation!

Pam @ This Humble House said...

I love your choices! I have a few lights around here that need replacing, too! I need to get brave and get to it!

Barb said...

Hi JoAnn, your light fixtures are wonderful. They make such a difference, don't they? So lovely.

Barb

Terry said...

Speaking as a son, we really enjoy helping our parents. Often the parents "don't want you to bother." So wear out son while he's there. He enjoys having something useful to do and he will feel much less guilty about your home cooked meals.

Ashley @ AshleysBusy said...

ooooh, I LOVE the milk glass and the school house light! Aweseome! I've actually got a milkglass chandy in my office, i love it so much :)


I have a giveaway on my blog and I'd love for you to check it out :)

Anonymous said...

Very nice, I love the milk glass light I have about 5 or 6 milk glass lamps & a lot of milk glass. You did a great job with your choices.

Have a blessed Monday.

Linda

Crispy said...

Oh it's all so wonderful Jo!!! We haven't done anything for so long but now that we have some time off together my to do list is finally going to get some check offs.

Crispy

Kitty Scraps said...

Wow your new light fixtures have made a huge impact! They look so much better! I still have a few to change in my home too.

Kammy said...

New fixtures add a ton of value and prettiness !
Kammy

Britt said...

I love all of your new fixtures! Those schoolhouse lights especially!

Lili said...

What a wonderful transformation! You must be thoroughly enjoying your home's new atmosphere. Especially love those hanging school house lights. You and your son did your home proud!

Tricia said...

Great choices on your new lights!

Tammy said...

Wow your new lights look so much better. And what an awesome son to do all that for you. A great WV boy. I am from WV so know that he has to be a good one :)

tammy

Terri said...

Gee! What a great thing for him to do! I like all of them......now....do you think I could "borrow" your son?

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Wow! What a difference! GREAT job.

I want to replace some lights in some rooms, too. I love those schoolhouse fixtures. Those are SO neat. And I understand about landing jet planes. LOL! That is the best statement ever. :-)

XO,

Sheila

The Quintessential Magpie said...

P.S. We once gave my FIL a whirly gig who sawed... the little lumberjack was very much like yours. That really made me smile to see him! :-)

joyh82 said...

Great lighting choices. We have some of those old bar lights left in our masterbath.

Charlene said...

LOVE your new lights. Isn't it funny how just a little thing like that can change a room. Welcome to MET MONDAY!

SmilingSally said...

We changed the lights in our former home. (We've recently sold it and moved.) We used the exact lighting that you have in your bath. I love it!

Mahala said...

The new lights are beautiful. I'm happy for you!

The Bloom Girls said...

It is so amazing that new lighting can change things so much! It all looks lovely and I totally agree with you on how awesome the kitchen walls look now minus the old paper! Great job, its like having a whole new house!

Karyn

Elenka said...

Stunning lighting !!!
Haven't changed a thing in my house lately. Need new couches someday.

Unknown said...

So much better! Builder basic lighting is just so special, lol! Working on removing it all from my house as well, one room at a time!
Paula - Mise en scène

Christine Thresh said...

Transformation! I bet you love turning on lights now. You must think of your wonderful son every time you flip a switch.
The sawing man is fun.

JoyceAnn said...

The new lighting looks great , know you're enjoying them. It's wonderful that your son helped replace them before Don got home.

~ Blessings ~
JoyceAnn

Dena said...

Jo, All these new light fixtures really transform your home. I know you miss your son but Christmas will be here before you know it.