Monday, March 23, 2009

Something old, something new....

Reading the title would make you think there is a wedding happening in this household.


No, we just added two new things that look old,(This picture is very similar to the ones we purchased)

The light fixtures over the vanities in both the bathrooms needed to be replaced many years ago. One was the one installed when the house was built - back in the 70's. The other one was one of those Hollywood light things - you know the kind with big round bulbs in them. Reason we had not changed them I could not find a vanity light that was a ceiling mount. The design of the ceiling in both rooms has a dropped ceiling portion over the sinks. All fixtures I found were wall mount. Yes, we could have patched the old hole - cut a new one - stretched the electrical lines - the whole bit - but we didn't. We just lived with the old ones.

Anyway, the other day while at Lowe's I asked one of the nice men working there if they had any ceiling mount vanity fixtures. He said yes - one style with choice of two, three or four bulb. The lights could be turned any direction...up - down - left - right. I was so excited. So the next step was to pick the globes I wanted. That part was hard...trying to decide which ones would look best. Finally chose white with a marble effect for one room. For the other bathroom, I chose what I would consider a Victorian look...scalloped edges and the color is soft pearlized gold. Oh yes, the metal part of the light fixture is brown - I think they call it venetian bronze.

The new fixtures are installed - did not have too much trouble. Of course when the old ones came down I knew I would have to do some spot touch ups on the ceiling paint. Did not have any paint to match one of the ceilings -well at least in the right shade of yellow...but you know what? If you add, food coloring to water base paint you can get the color you need. I added too much on the first go around and wound up with a gold...just added more paint - then I achieved the color I needed. In a pinch- a lady has to think out side the box...if you know what I mean. My sweet husband just rolled his eyes when I told him what I did.

Isn't this a cute sign. I spotted this in the "Dollar Store" area of my local grocery store. This store has a complete area with all items at $1.00 - very similar to a small dollar store. The sign is all metal and measures 14 inches long with 7 1/2 inches top to bottom. Just couldn't resist in purchasing it. Had to run back into town later in the day and ran by the store again. Picked up the rest of them (6) off the shelf...I thought one would make great gift for the right person. Also I can picture this being painted and another word being stenciled on it. So don't be surprised if you see this sign (slightly altered) appear in future decorating projects.

Everybody have a wonderful week - smile - and see who smiles back ☺☺☺

13 comments:

Michelle said...

Oh, Amelia! I love your new lights! I know how excited I get when something new gets done around here.

You are a girl after my own heart. I would have been straining my brain to figure out a way to match the paint too! (***Secret: for touching up white paint, use liquid white out! It will do in a pinch!)

I love your little sign. I can't believe it was only $1! You are a thrifty girl after my own heart!
Be blessed!
Michelle

Bo said...

Way to go Amelia...finding the perfect light fixtures & then being smart enough to "make" paint... LOL...Love that sign too!
;-) Bo

Hunter said...

Too cute. I can't seem to get enough light anywhere.

Darilyn

Jen said...

You are a nifty crafty type. Great job with the paint idea
and clever thinking and planning for that sign idea; I like it and I like doing that type of thing too.

Tardevil said...

I bet it looks great. I am most impressed that you thought to add food coloring to the paint. I get the eye rolls alot around my house too - especially, if I'm tablescaping for my blogging buds.

Kristie said...

Oh, I just love your new lights! I can't wait to starting picking out things like that for our house. Great idea with the food coloring, I will have to remember that!

Love that sign! Of course, I collect antiques so I like things like that!
Kristie

Three Birds Inspired said...

Love the new fixtures!!

homegrownsongwritersalabama said...

I love the light fixtures! Don't you love "fixing" up at little cost and being inspired with creativity at the same time?

Belvie said...

Nice lights Amelia!!

Creative idea using the food coloring...I'm going to remember that one!

Hazel said...

What a great idea with the food coloring I will have to file that one away .I've used white toothpaste in a pinch to fill in a small nail hole ,before I paint .Your light fixture is ideal.

BarbCarol said...

Amelia!
I'm so glad you commented on my blog. Somehow, I had misplaced you somewhere. And, I have missed your posts.
Gotta close down the computer -- much lightning.

Picket said...

Morning girl...beautiful new light fixture & don't even get me started on all the different 'recipes' I have come up with thru the years to match paint! lol lol That antique sign is fantastic and I can't believe it was just a $1...we don't even have anything that good even in our real Dollar Stores! lol Hope you are having a great week sweetie!

bj said...

Oh, I really like your new fixture. And I nearly fell out of my chair when you told us about adding cake coloring....that is amazing and sounds just like some of the things I do around our cottage...Haaaaahahaha...just love it..Love the cute little sign, too..
xo bj