Updating an Old Light Fixture

Slow design is something I have really embraced over the last several years.  It makes sense to me - living somewhere for a while helps you really start to see and understand what you like and need in a space.  I'm the kind of person who isn't scared of making changes in our home, especially ones like paint because they can easily be redone if we don't like it.  Not too long ago I was really needing a change with our kitchen Ceiling light.  The one I had chosen ( at the time)  I loved but over time just wasn't working for our space.  I can't tell you how many people banged their heads on that light and after living with it for a while, I just felt like it wasn't the right light for the space I was slowly putting together.  I was ready for a change but here is the big issue..I didn't really want to spend a ton of money on a new light.  After thinking about it, I really thought I could update something old to fit our space and be something I really liked.  I feel like you can always get creative and figure out a solution.

Wow, so this pic below goes way back.  This is our kitchen when we moved in...I hated this space so much but over time and making changes slowly - I absolutely love this space, its probably my favorite in our whole house.  At first we had this big and bulky ceiling fan in our kitchen...I could not get this thing out quick enough.

So much better right?  A lot of paint, a new light and some decorations helped a ton.  Now this light is not bad, I really did like it.  But after living with it and people bumping their heads on it...it just wasn't functional for us.  I was on the hunt for something I could make work. 

Sometimes it pays to wait, to not rush into a decision just to buy something now. My parents were changing out some things in their house a little while back and had this little brass chandelier light they were tossing out.  Their trash was my treasure!  I gobbled up the light and got to work. Free = the best.  If it didn't work I had not invested much besides the cost of spray paint.

It really didn't take a lot to update the light.  First I sprayed painted it with oil rubbed bronze (and I did take pics but can't find them for the life of me).  Next, the only other thing I did to change it was to get the round shaped light bulbs instead of the traditional pointy ones that people usually use.  It's really fun how a light bulb shape can make a huge difference.  I also threw on some wood beads I had and wasn't using just for fun and texture.  I may leave them on, I may take them off...I like them for now. And that was it - probably took me and afternoon to paint a couple of light coats of paint and it was a quick install.

Another awesome bonus with this light is the dimmer Justin installed...the round bulbs tend to be a lot brighter so we really needed it.

In addition to this space we have a new tile floor, new kitchen chairs, new wall paint and I painted our mirror.  All things we have slowly added and changed over time.  

I really love the updated light in our kitchen! It really feels like it fits the feel of our house so much better and no one ever bumps their head anymore.  Eventually if I want to switch it up again I won't feel guilty because this really cost almost nothing to change.  One of the reasons why I love doing this blog is to show people you don't have to spend a fortune to create a space you really love and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Friday!