{Urban Outfitters} Inspired Geometric Pendant…who knew lights could look so good!

Uh, so, in case you didn't notice, I've been AWOL the past couple months.

  

I won't bore you with the details of my lengthy disappearance, but will simply just say that my family really appreciated my full attention these past few months {and I really enjoyed giving it to them} but I am more than ready to get back to blogging and project..ing!

Which brings me to...

My son's bedroom, which up until recently was pretty much just a box with a bed in it.  Very sad.  Very uncool! 

Which is unfortunate, because Carter's a pretty cool kid...

{except for when he encounters a spider}
so I was feeling the pressure to perform with these lights.  I knew they would have to be pretty awesome to get his stamp of approval.

And then I came across this pendant light on  UrbanOutfitters.com

and I knew I had found my inspiration.

They aren't' ridiculously priced at $69, but I needed two {one for either side of the bed} and didn't want to eat up $150 of my already tight budget.  So, I decided to try and make my own for a fraction of the price.

My DIY version of this geometric pendant{s} cost about $20 {per light} to make…and actually ended up looking equally as cool as the original.  Initially, I had planned on painting the lights gold/brass, similar to the color pictured above.  But once the lights were complete I kinda loved the copper.  I think for a teenage boys room it was the right choice over the gold.

I think I might actually have a crush on these guys.  Carter may be starting to catch on as I stop and admire them every time I pass by his room.   I mean, it's kinda hard not to stare at them, right?

And for those of you interested in kicking up your cool factor, I will be posting a tutorial on how to make these in the next day or two.  You'll be surprised at how easy it is to be cool!

vintage 70's lights...can you dig 'em?

I've been on a bit of a vintage lighting kick...here's why.

It all started a few weeks ago when I came across this photo {of designer Emily Henderson's bedroom.} 

I was immediately drawn to the hot pink, vintagey, velvety goodness hanging above her nightstand for reason's I can't explain.  I'm not generally attracted to velvet...or seventies home decor in any capacity...seventies music and dancing, well now that is a whole other matter. 

Anywho, last week while I was visiting my mom and family in southern Utah, my sis and I stopped by a little consignment shop.  And what do you know...

there she was, just hanging there.

 Why do I feel an overwhelming urge to sing "boom chicka wow wow" when I see her all aglow.

What made the moment even more perfect was the fact that Blondie was blaring over the sound system when I locked eyes on her...no, seriously.  It was as if the Gods of disco were orchestrating the whole thing.    

Debbie {that's what I named her...seems only fitting, right?} had the same velvety goodness as the inspiriation light, only in bright purple {not a color I'm typically drawn to, but I was willing to overlook}.

 Debbie had the same scalloped, drum shape

and delicious, aged bronze details.

Debbie cost a little more that I would normally care to spend...a whopping $49, but it just seemed wrong not to buy her considering the way everthing seemed to fall right into place.  After an extensive search of keywords like "seventies", "velvet", "drum", "pendant", "gaudy", "brothel" I realized there weren't many, any really, similar looking lights to be found and I felt even better about my purchase.

The closest match I came upon was this royal blue number on ebay...pretty awesome right?

Now, fast forward to yesterday.

I'm was still on a bit of a high from meeting Debbie.  Do you ever get they way when you feel like you've just won the lottery in thrifting/hunting process?

I had a bum load of stuff to donate to the D.I. {Utah's version of the Goodwill} but decided I would stop in first to see if any treasures were waiting for me.

And holy flippin' crud...

this beauty was just lying there waiting for my sweet caresses {cue the Exile now..."I wanna kiss you all over".}

Some more brassy goodness.

and only $15

There wasn't any Blondie playing...if fact I think it was "Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, but I still felt like the Gods of Disco were watching over me.   It was a vintage 70's lighting harvest.

and it seemed only appropriate to call him...well, Al.

I also walked away with two vintage orb pendants as well, which I creatively and thoughtfully named,

Paul

and Simon

These set me back $8 each, but if I'm not mistaken similar orb lights on West Elm run about $100.  Granted they are a little more aesthetially pleasing than my "vintage" version, but saving over $180 on cost more than makes up for what they lack in style.

Now to figure out where all these pendies are gonna go.  Perhaps turning down the lights and turning on some ABBA might inspire.

Let the light fest begin!

Bathroom woes and a delivery.

I know that I said that the goal was to have the bathroom finished by the beginning of April...and here we are the six days into the month and my bathroom still looks like this.

The plumbers came out last week.  They moved pipes around capped off some vents and...fell through the rotten subfloor in the shower.

So, what we once hoped would be a quick and {reasonably} inexpensive renovation is fast becoming a long and pricey renovation. 

Before we can proceed with anything else, we have to rip out all of the sub floor and replace it.  The progess of the reno hinges on this one task now, as we cannot start laying tile until it gets done.  And we cannot begin installing the vanity or cabinets until we have tile on the floor.  Ugh!  At least there is something to be learned from this whole process...one, grout the shower-very important detail!  And two, if you happen to buy a house with a non grouted shower, don't wait four years to address the issue- it could save you money in the long run. 

My frusteration was momentarily eased when I walked outside and came upon this.

It's the chandelier I bought to go over the tub space in the master craphole, I mean bathroom.

I love the vintage-ness? of this light and think it will be a great juxtaposition to the modern vanity and cabinetry we are bringing in.

It was a bit of a labor of love putting the thing together.  Every glass pendant had be attched by hand...and there 

were a bajillion of them.  

Hopefully I'll regain feeling in my finger tips soon.

But, it was all worth it when, before me stood this lovely and delicious piece of {hopefully soon to be illuminated} goodness.  

I was in such a great mood about it until I realized that I'd have to continue admiring her hanging from the pull-up bar in Studly's office becauase her permanent home was currently in shambles.  Oh well, maybe it'll be a great motivator for Studly to get crackin' on things, as he has to shimmy past it every time he enters or exits his office...because sharing a single bathroom with seven other people isn't motivation enough. 

Preparing for an appraisal...and some inexpensive lighting ideas.

Well...hello again!  Seems like forever since we talked.

Recently, Studs and I had our house appraised.  In preparation, we decided to attack all of the boring, little tasks that we'd kept putting off.  Paying someone a hellish amount of money to walk through your house and scrutinize every little detail has a way of motivating you to do all the things you didn't care about doing before...just sayin'.

The entire week prior to the appraisal all Studs and I did was walk around the house with a container of spackle {filling in holes from old screws and nails and discharged BB's...NO, I am not kidding} and a paint brush {for touching up walls "tagged" by our darling three year old using whatever weapon of mass destruction she came across that particular day...sharpie, dry erase marker, finger nail polish...}.

I have to say, the house was lookin pretty spiffy by the time the appraiser came.  Too bad it won't last.

I did a little bit of research on "preparing for an appraisal" and thought I might share some of what I found.  So, for those of you who might be considering refinancing or selling a home, here are some helpful tips I learned to help get the most out of your house.

1-  Type up a list of updates/upgrades you've made on your home.   Include the approximate date of the improvements and how much they cost {this would include everything from a new light fixture to a major renovation...and everything inbetween}.

2-  Don't spend a lot of money getting your house ready for an appraisal {unless it's on things you were going to do anyway}.  Chances are you won't get back the money you put into it.

3-  If you are willing to invest a little money on your house, updated lighting {and faucets} will always yield return on your investment.  The lighting doesn't have to be expensive, but it needs to be attractive and current...boob lights be gone!!!

4-  Touch up any peeling, "tagged" or discolored paint.  Even though this doesn't necessarily reflect on the integrity of the home, it can reflect on you as homeowners...if you're not concerned about maintaining the paint, then what else aren't you concerned about maintaining?

5-  Clean and declutter.  Even though an appraiser should be completely objective and unbiased, first impressions count for something.  Tripping on a pile of shoes by the front door isn't the lasting impression you wanna make...though it would be totally hilarious.  Also, if your house smells like last night's dinner, you may want to consider using some air freshners or baking a fresh batch of brownies or something beforehand.  And if your carpet smells like a dirty toilet bowl you might want to get them cleaned...back to the whole first impression thing. 

6-  Look at your house through the appraisers eyes.  Are you trying to cram too much stuff into a small space {if so, edit some things out.  Too much furniture can make a space looked cramped and cluttered thus giving the illusion of a small space}?  Does your home flow well?  Do you have to squeeze between a couch and end table to get into the family room {if so, you might consider rearranging the furniture so things flow more easily}?

7-  Don't follow your appraiser around like a lost puppy.  Leave him alone and let him/her do his/her job without distraction.  You're better served hiding out in the office praying that the appraiser somehow overlooks the water spot on the ceiling from an old leak that has since been repaired but that you forgot to touch up.

I hope you find these tips helpful as well as amusing...learn from my mistakes peeps!!!

And because this blog is all about being thrifty and stylish and doing for yourself...here are a few inexpensive lighting ideas I implemented recently.

brightly colored chandy's 
{These babies are readily available at most thrift stores and can be turned into statement pieces simply by painting them in an eye catching hue.  For added interest you could string similarly colored beads/jewels from the arms.}





Drum shade pendant
{Drum shades can be both sophisticated and fun.  I made this one out of a $10 lamp shade from Ikea and some faux wood contact paper}.





I also really love the chevron pattern on this drum shade pendant.  This might be my next project.

Modern Pendant Lighting design by Richmond Lighting Fixtures Shades of Light

Modern/Industrial pendant
{I found this pendant at Ikea for $20.  It has a nice shape and is a nice neutral color which can be a good thing when trying to appeal to the masses.  It was just a little too netutral for me, so I added a little color blocking to it to kick it up one more notch.  It's still neutral, but with a little more style.}



All righty peeps.  Good bye and big bulbs...for your {new}stylish lights, that is!