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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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May 3, 2011

Replacing a recessed light is easier than you think!

I tell ya!  The internet is a pretty amazing place…in case you haven’t already figured that out for yourself.  It is through the inspiration of blogs, just like many of you have out there, that I was motivated to remodel my kitchen.  It seems that no matter what idea, design question or dilemma I have had during this process I have found the answer on a blog!  


I have always wanted a pendant light above my kitchen sink…but I knew that as many handy skills we’ve managed to develop during home ownership…electrical rewiring is not one of them.  Both my husband and I are not fans of getting electrocuted so we have chosen to not tackle major electrical projects.  Now both of us can hang a new light fixture or change out an outlet like nobody’s business, but removing a recessed light and replacing it with a normal junction box..eh. not so much. So I believed my quest for a pendant light above my sink was a futile one…until I saw this post from Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick and had to rush out to find one myself…


Um…hello.  Ingenious!  Somebody…heard the pendant light cry of DIYers everywhere and created this amazing recessed light adapter!  I purchased this one at Lowe’s but I am sure you could find them at other home improvement stores.  They make it in oiled bronze and nickel and it costs a whole whopping $17.00!  Now that beats an electrician coming out any day of the week!  This could not have been easier to install.  See that little “socket” you just adjust the cord to the length you want it and then screw that socket into the recessed light socket.  Then you tighten the cover plate up tight against the metal rim of your recessed light and that’s it!  



Seriously..10 minutes tops!  Now the options are endless as far as shades go. I was really wanting a fabric shade and of course drum shades are all the rage right now.  I didn’t want something too small but not too big either since I don’t have vaulted ceilings and Bama Boy is 6′ 4″ tall so he wouldn’t go for hitting his head on something every time he washed dishes…a man who washes dishes is a keeper I tell ya! I searched several places but couldn’t find the right size,  color, style or price point  I was looking for… until I happened to be back in Lowe’s and found this pretty little shade…

It wasn’t meant to be a pendant shade, but it worked perfectly and it was only $11.00!  It is actually a little darker of a blue but since the sun managed to finally make an appearance when this picture was taken, it photographed a little lighter than it’s true color.



I just love it!  It is at the perfect height thanks to the adjustable cord and it really pops against the white in the kitchen!  It takes a chandelier style light, so I  purchased a little round bulb to give it a more vintage feel since you can see the bulb when you look at it from underneath.  



At night it gives off such a soft glow. 



I use to cringe when anyone turned on that big bright recessed light above my sink, but now I love to leave this soft light on.  I think it looks fabulous against my newly painted cabinets…


And that’s the only peek you’re going to get of them, because they are not quite ready for their big reveal.  Up next…25 knobs, bin pulls and handles to be installed on cabinets that never had any….oh joy! 😉  and to beg convince Bama Boy to install my new beautiful dark walnut Roman bamboo shade in my kitchen window that I practically stole from  got on clearance from Lowe’s…gosh I love a good sale!   

As always…thanks for meeting me at the picket fence!

This post is linked up to the following fabulous parties:
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Thrifty Decor Chick: Before and After Party
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
DIY By Design: Swing Into Spring
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays

22 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Kitchen Remodel

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Heather the new pendent light looks fabulous, I love the shade! Can’t wait for the big reveal!! Martina

    Reply
  2. Jacqueline says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    I bought the same kit and put it over my sink in my kitchen, used a cute simple shade from another set.

    Reply
  3. Sue says

    May 3, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    Heather, Just too cute a shade and what an easy fix. I’ve seen them in the stores–Somebody was sure thinking when he/she dreamed this up. Waiting to see your reveal….
    ~ Sue

    Reply
  4. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    May 3, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    I’m sitting here thinking about the location of all my can lights and wondering where I can do this! Looks great!

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    May 3, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    LOVE that shade!

    Reply
  6. Taunnie says

    May 3, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    Wow! Thanks so much for sharing. I didn’t know there was a conversion kit. I have been wishing for something like that for a long time, there are a few lights in my house I have wanted to change to pendants but thought I was out of luck. Thanks, I’m going to Lowe’s in the morning.

    Reply
  7. Cindy says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    Love your new pendent light…can’t wait to see your kitchen reveal!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  8. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    May 3, 2011 at 2:56 AM

    Your pendant lights are great~ can’t wait for the reveal Heather! I know it will be amazing! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Susan in SC says

    May 3, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Love the light and shade! I’m a new follower and hope you can follow me back!

    Reply
  10. Gina says

    May 3, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    That looks awesome! I can’t believe they sell such a thing…I need to get to Lowes very soon. I need one of these.

    Reply
  11. Wendy says

    May 3, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Great idea! I love the lampshade!

    Reply
  12. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    May 3, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Love this shade..really pretty color too! Nice job:)

    Reply
  13. Lisa says

    May 3, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I am laughing because my hubby just switched out our regular lights with a recessed light kit. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Phyllis says

    May 3, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    I am off to Lowes to buy this kit……the answer to my lighting desires. THANKS for telling us about this. Your new light is amazing and the shade is so neat!

    Reply
  15. michelle says

    May 3, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    I have seen those in blogland too and they look so great!! If I ever find a nice shade that will look good above my sink I want to try it. I love your shade and I can’t wait to see the big reveal!!!!

    Reply
  16. Ann-Marie ~ Brambly says

    May 3, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    That shade is perfect! I’ve been perplexed about one of my rooms that still has recessed lighting, I’m so excited to learn about this solution.

    ann-marie

    Reply
  17. Beverly@southernhomesweethome says

    May 4, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    I love pendent shades and yours is sooo pretty.

    Reply
  18. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    May 4, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    This looks amazing! Great pattern and color on the shade and I know you say it’s easy, but you make it look SUPER easy! Thanks for showing us how it’s done.

    Also, thanks again for checking my Inspiration Friday post and leaving such a nice comment. Heck if I lived near you I’d definitely take up your invite for coffee! Let me know if you need any advice on restaining the top of your dining room table. I’m no expert, but I’ve learned that the key is the Wipe On Poly! Smother it on!

    Emily

    Reply
  19. Carol says

    May 5, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Heather,

    I LOVE the pendant light and shade. I can almost see the cabinets behind. So pretty!

    Mom

    Reply
  20. Suzanne says

    May 5, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    I love that light fixture, I want to do that in our new kitchen! (We’re moving in a month!) Thanks for the pointers! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    May 8, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Heather, that light looks great. Love the color of the shade. Thanks for sharing at WUW.

    Reply
  22. Anna says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    I just looked this up on the Lowes site and I am so going and buying one today! Thank you! 🙂

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

    Reply

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But, hey, at least I can take comfort in the soft glow of twinkling lights and having my halls decked for Christmas!

Today on the blog I’m sharing the details of my soft and simple mantel decorations and I’d love for you to stop by! ✨
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There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our kids or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap.

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

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Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
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.
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My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

I’m choosing the narrow path. And in spite of the hardships, in spite of the challenges and the fears and the times that can feel as dark as the journey down into a cave, I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.
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