Lift a Room's Appearance Having a DIY Pendant Light

A number of lighting choices in a room can take it from dull to lively . We have numerous lighting fittings in our home — numerous so-called “boob lights,” that is. I believe the standard of the builder lighting the Achilles heel in room layout. We have at least one in each room of our home. Our kitchen boasted three — one in the middle of the room, just over the sink and one in the nook. We knew we had to replace them.

Meg Padgett

The location over our kitchen sink was our first stop in the overhaul while I would love to complete a marathon elimination of all the lights. The existing light’s proportions were all wrong, and two miniature pendant lights could be just the right touch of beauty and tranquility. While this was not the room’s finishing touch, it sure did help place the end in sight.

Meg Padgett

We made our pendant lighting.

Materials used:

Westinghouse Oil-Rubbed Bronze Mini Pendant Lighting Kit
Westinghouse Safe-T Pan
Glass shade
Utility knife
Drill

Meg Padgett

After turning off the power, we removed the existing light over the sink.

Note: Constantly consult with the local building codes when planning any home improvement project.

We referenced Black & Decker’s The Complete Guide to Wiring, which offers detailed step-by-step instructions for many electric jobs and is fully compliant with the most recent National Electrical Code.

Meg Padgett

We measured and marked the middle of where our pendant lights could be installed. We chose to center them over each side of our double sink.

Meg Padgett

We assembled the pendant lighting kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions and attached the glass shade. There are numerous types of colors available at big-box stores, but we purchased ours from a local thrift store for less than $1.

The pan kit comprises its own hardware and instructions for mounting.

Meg Padgett

We traced around the perimeter and focused each pan on our marks.

Meg Padgett

We cut out the circular pieces using a utility knife.

Meg Padgett

We first predrilled a hole in the middle of all which was utilized to feed through the electric wiring to mount the Safe-T Pans. Then, referring to the manufacturer’s instructions we mounted the pans to the ceiling.

Meg Padgett

If you are not comfortable doing your own wiring, call in an electrician. Otherwise, measure the duration for each light and cut any extra wiring off, leaving a few inches extra for leeway.

Together with the power still turned off, we fed the electric wiring through the predrilled hole and connected it to the pendant light’s wiring. (Refer to an up-to-date wiring manual along with the pendant kit for certain instructions on working with electrical wiring, and for troubleshooting assistance.)

Then we turned the power back on and checked that the wiring has been connected correctly.

Meg Padgett

Finally, we patched the hole left from the original lighting and primed and painted the ceiling.

Meg Padgett

With these beautiful pendant lights and illuminating my favorite workspace — we’ve got just one more step to complete our kitchen remodel: installing crown molding and door trim.

See related

Get Organized: Magnetic Makeup Board

Makeup storage is one of those organizational problems that never appears to have a fantastic solution. No matter what you try, it appears to upward in a large heap, covered in a dusting of bronzer or blush. Drawer dividers, individual zipped bags, and clear plastic bins don’t seem to do some good. Liz Marie Galvan had the same problem, and came up with an easy, economical and smart alternative.

LizMarieBlog.Com

Instead of cramming her cosmetics into bags or drawers, Galvan decided to keep things neat and clean by sticking them on a magnet board. She began with a classic gold frame she already had, then bought metal sheets from the hardware store in a size that would fit inside. She painted the sheets robin’s egg blue to meet her vanity, and then when they were sterile, used super glue to attach the sheets to the frame.

LizMarieBlog.Com

Galvan hot-glued smaller magnets (available at craft and hardware stores) to the rear of all of her bigger items of cosmetics, and then attached them to the metallic sheet in the frame. That is it! You could also pick up a magnetic board at an office supply store to make it easier.

Galvan currently finds getting ready in the morning only a little bit less of a struggle. Everything is right where she needs it, and there is never a spilled bottle or broken compact to take care of.

To learn more more about Galvan’s clever solution, check out the article on Liz Marie Blog.

More arranging hints:
Organizing Tips that Really Work: Pantry in a Drawer
Tackle a Tornado of Ribbon with Straightforward Storage Ideas
Organizing Tips from a Hollywood Dream Closet

See related