If you were here last week, or follow on Instagram and facebook, you will know that we took out the island in the kitchen, moved the dining table there, added two walls to make a home office/studio and reoriented the living room.😀 Yes, all that.
So I needed to move the current fixture, which was not centered anyway, to where the center of the room is, and centered on the table. Not, I need to add, centered on the kitchen sink/window.
I found this beautiful iron chandelier/pot rack on craigslist for $20 and could not pass it up as it was perfect for over my iron table. This is heavy iron and really well made so I would guess, after looking around, to be at least a $400 fixture. However, we had to figure out how to hang it, which meant moving the box in the attic — something we had never done.
I’m pretty good with electrical, but this was beyond my skill level, but my husband encouraged me, so I looked up some directions from Bob Vila, a couple youtube videos, and I was confident I could do it.
Until I got up in the attic. I’m very — as in **very** claustrophobic, and because the entrance to the attic was a long way from this location, I almost panicked. I was about to come out of there, but I took some deep breaths and made all the electrical connections, adding to the Romex wire tucked into the box and putting it all together so Luis could get up in there and do the hanging and reinforcement part. This thing is super heavy, so we made sure it is securely attached and reinforced. I’m soooo proud that we did it, but also happy to have saved about $400 in electrician costs.
So here it is, and oh how we love it.
We did decide to try shades on it as well, but I think I like it without better.
It’s really nice at night with the shades, but I’m ordering some different Edison LEDs so I’ll see which I prefer after I try those.
I just love it. It’s so perfect with the iron of my table, and it’s pretty but not overly fussy.
What a difference it has made in here as we never had a light in the right place to begin with.
So what do y’all think — with shades…
…or without?
The good thing is I can take them off or put them on whenever I want a change. As for my new electrical skills, we will be moving the chandelier from over the piano to the new living room.
I’m already panicked about getting up there again, but the end result will be worth it.
Right?
There is such a domino effect when something changes, but the great thing is, very little money has been spent, so please follow along on instagram and facebookto see progress as we go:-)
I’ll be joining:
wow, I'm super impressed with your electrical skills! the iron fixture is beautiful, I think I'm a shade person, but still wonderful without. I love seeing how you've enhanced the functionality of your home with some reno. Looks amazing.
Thanks so much Debra!! We keep trying to work within the confines of budget and be creative:-)
Well good for you, we have a similar problem, we have a iron pot rack to move and a chandelier, We were gifted with a beautiful reclaimed table that a friend made for us, from wood from a old share cropper;s cabin on their property…I a wood island that we had slanted and then put the iron pan rack above it…..now we have to move it…and a new chandelier…now I can see it will be costly!!! I love your idears and your braveness, and your talent!
Wow that all sounds fabulous!!! Yes, electrical is expensive but now I can certainly see why!
I like the fixture both with and without shades, but I am leaning towards "with"…it kind of beefs up
the fixture.
I know!! My husband likes it with shades, and it's so nice at night that I'll leave them. Plus, my dad has macular degeneration so when he is here the shades would have to be on.
love it!. I am so impressed with your electrical skills!. I think I like it better without the shades but either way is beautiful. I love your dining table. You have such a talent for pulling things together and making them look beautiful. I love that you use treasured family pieces, thrift store finds, craigslist, etc. I think that is what "blogs" should all be about, what you can do with what you have and find. Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen.
Thanks so much!! I actually impressed myself, ha and was quite proud that I did that. I hope people are inspired to use what they have and stop the insanity of buying out HomeGoods, etc., every few weeks:-)
I vote for no shades since it gives a cleaner look and draws attention to the ironwork and eliminates "fussiness." I also love the table in the kitchen. When you took out the island, were there gaps in the floors where it was located? The floors appear so unharmed, I wondered how that was possible.
Thanks Pat!! The island was installed after the floors, so there were only a few screw holes that were easily filled.
Gorgeous fixture! Definitely goes with your furniture and kitchen…and kudos for doing a great job! Shades can sometimes force the light downward…either way it is your call and will look Great!
Thanks Sandi!!
Great job. I love it. I like it without shades.
Thanks Katie!!
Love reading the comments, answered my questions:). I know you wanted to remove the island and the table in the kitchen, cozy. You're brave going up in the attic and doing so, saved money!:). I do like the shades on:). Have a nice day, Kathleen in Az
Thanks Kathleen!! Yes I'm happy it's gone!
What a great buy, I love the shades on as well, mirrors the candles in the iron holder on your table. You've made such nice changes! Really adds to your home, which I find warm and inviting. A breath of fresh air, and a step above the all white pallet that most seem to extol. Marie
Thank you so much!! I do try to offer something different to everyone else:-)
I'm in the "without" camp. But, it is pretty either way and you are right, you can change it up as you like. Shades are relatively inexpensive. You could have several styles for different moods.
Exactly!! I love it without best, but the light is so pretty on the table when on so I love having options!!
I love the shades on. So pretty and warm. Question…I know you mentioned somewhere you had made your dining table, which is gorgeous, and I'm wondering what you used for the iron base? I want a huge square dining table and want to make it, but it will need a good deal of support. Thanks Anita!
Thank you! I designed the base and had a local craftsman make it out of iron.