Upgrading Light Fixtures: An Enlightening Experience

The gradual transformation of our house over the past year has included several upgrades to existing light fixtures. Last fall, we were having our entire main floor ceiling refinished anyway (because of some walls we'd removed ― another blog post in itself), so this created the perfect opportunity/excuse to re-work our lighting situation too. Why not cut out a few extra holes and just get it all fixed at the same time?

In fact, at one point it looked like someone had just taken a giant hole punch to our ceiling:

Here, let me try to clarify this picture a bit...

Clear as mud? 

Our Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Inspiration

I've already posted some of the progress of our massive kitchen makeover (see Cabinet Painting Part I, Part II, and Part III), but I've never really shared the overall vision for the kitchen.

Even though I have a Pinterest board with plenty of ideas for kitchen inspiration, I thought I'd put together a little vision board here because A) it's helpful to see all the specific products together and B) it's just fun to create one! I'm calling it this "modern farmhouse" but with all of the blending of styles out there these days, who really knows? All I know is I'm a fan of mixing and matching different materials, finishes, and textures to create something unique and individualized. 

If you haven't been following along up until this point, we will also have white distressed upper cabinets, and dark gray distressed lower cabinets.

The only things we've actually ordered so far are the pendant lights and the cabinet hardware, but I think we're fairly set on the rest of it. I'm sure I'll share an update with final selections once our kitchen is done, but let's face it -- that's weeks (if not months) down the road.  In the meantime, sources below!

Capitol Lighting 10-inch Mini Pendant - Graphite with Aged Brass

[ via 1800lighting.com ]

Grand Terrace Metallic Medley Hexagon Mosaic

[ via menards.com ]

Williamsburg Butcher Block Co. Builder Oak Countertop

[ via lumberliquidators.com ]

Cosmas® 701ORB Oil Rubbed Bronze Contemporary Cabinet Hardware Knob - 

1-7/16" Length - 10 Pack

[ via amazon.com ]

Pfister GT529BF Briarsfield Pullout Spray Kitchen Faucet with AccuDock Technolog, Tuscan Bronze

[ via amazon.com ]

Olde London Double-Bowl Fireclay Farmhouse Sink

[ via wayfair.com ]

It's worth noting that once the oak countertops are sealed/oiled, they'll probably be a little darker than what the stock picture shows.

And, we're still debating on the mosaic tile -- Menards also has a Copper Medley style.  But the all-silver tile may add more of that "modern" contrast we're going for. So of course I had to swap it out for another vision board!

What do you think?? We'll probably just have to bring home a sample of each tile once we have the butcher block countertops installed.

NOTE:

Little House on the Corner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Lamp Love

We don't have a lot of table lamps in our house, aside from an old one in our bedroom, and it's just not an item that I ever consciously think about purchasing. Perhaps it's because they're always too expensive, or the fact that we just don't have a lot of space for lamps.

Well, while I was out and about today, I stopped in Pier1 for no particular reason (always a dangerous idea). I almost ended up buying more Christmas clearance decor, until I discovered a selection of 50% off table lamps that I couldn't seem to drag myself away from. I'll be the first to admit it was definitely an impulse purchase, but I ended up leaving with not just one, but two lovely lamps:

Ecru Serena Lamp - $19.98 (originally $40)

This lamp replaced the antique-y looking one we previously had our bedroom end table. A very sophisticated upgrade!

 

Crackle Luster Lamp - $32.98 (originally $66)

I knew I wanted this one right away when I saw it, but wasn't quite sure where it would go. For now, this beauty is residing on an end table in our living room.

I must say that I'm pretty happy with these purchases! Not too shabby for just over $50 (right?). I have a newfound appreciation for table lamps and how they can transform the look of a room. And I'm glad I decided to put my money toward these, which will be seen everyday, instead of more Christmas stuff!  :)

Besides lamps, are there any other basic home accents that you think have a big effect on a room's appearance?