Get creative with lighting!

I'm back among the living! Yay! Thanks for being patient with me. :)<br /><div><div><br /><div>Anyway, I find an often overlooked aspect of decorating is how we use lighting. This includes lamps and general light fixtures, but I'm talking more of accent lighting. I have a few favorites that are cheap and easy to install.<br /><br />The first is dimmer switches. OH, they are a must! First of all, they save energy. I have never, in more than four years, had to change a light bulb in a fixture with a dimmer. But the best part of dimmers is the how you can change the mood of the room with the lighting. I hate bright lights, so I am in <strong>love</strong> with dimmers. And they are so, so, SO easy to install. You'll need to turn off the light at the fuse box. (VERY important!!!) Then unscrew the wall plate, remove the old switch, match the smooth wire to the smooth wire, the bumpy one to the bumpy wire, and screw in the ground wire. It is actually easier to do than it sounds. (I'm not lying -- try it!)</div><br /><div>This is a typical dimmer switch:</div><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216022191039005202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWcG_QHWYDpHFk_VIwp2Tq4o4nRgT_3GM4eWAX9QgtxuEGUr8LG3MCxGdmJAeVFN5PdZJ7vLMS63yzdg9iCEw7J-ZjJP3sf_IAK4GhKiamNd9MnmeMYjS2S2rO9kBNwfJR5xGNpRV7Lg/s400/dimmer_switch_plate.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>You can get them at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. The most basic versions are what I use and are only $7 each! They get fancier and more expensive, but you really don't need the extras. I love them in the kitchen, the bedroom, and especially the master bathroom. A dimmer is a MUST on cold, winter mornings when it's still dark outside and you want to wake up <em>slowly</em>! </div><br /><div>Another favorite lighting trick of mine is using rope lights. These can be used inside and out, and I because they're not particularly pretty, I suggest using them above cabinets and furniture or inside furniture. These are fun because they are flexible, easy to move to the shape you need and don't burn hot -- you can put them virtually anywhere. I use them above our kitchen cabinets and also tucked into the top of furniture. Plug them into an outlet that operates with a switch, and it makes them especially easy to use.<br /></div><div>Rope lights come in a ton of colors, but for inside, I recommend clear or white:</div><br /><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216023836179049730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmgSOtpfPU8cWyDgXV5IqXm0CSrURb8po-6N9lHkxgqQaTXW2DdGU9idi2MGqvYXLBY48mJe5VlGPB1Xqa4Ndhzhyphenhyphend24o1xqAGnP9rCQF6fV29Xk_jjXYYPul-cr4l-MhBinOCPdljFI/s400/LED-Rope-Light-with-Voltage-of-12-to-230V-BL-CHG-01-.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />They even come with little plastic hooks you can use to hold them into place. Rope lights come in a variety of lengths -- two feet, four feet, up to 20+ feet. The longer versions can get expensive, but the shorter lengths will run about $10 or less.<br /><br /><div></div><div>Finally, you can create mood lighting anywhere in your home with simple accent lights:</div><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216025497504812546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroaEo0Yhi6bc48sRZmFGW-w32GZRQlvDLmUSuuNW8CeeE3-k6guEeo_4NfjkM8l-P0qWI_78IO1KTs6dPmpEHaYkVqdrhE6hWRWPH6UgDtQi4Lmfh1juA-GVthHwav6RBxSCcm90EYzE/s400/63401.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>I have used them in corners, behind furniture, in potted plants (they make them specifically for plants). They are great for highlighting art, or just adding subtle mood lighting around your home. These tend to burn hotter than the others I've mentioned, so just be sure to check them and make sure they are not near anything that could catch fire. Accent lights like this one usually cost less than $10 each. </div><div></div><div>So run to Lowes, check some of these out and try them yourself! I <em>dare</em> you to install a dimmer and tell me it wasn't easy! (Just PLEASE make sure you turn off the switch at the fuse box!!) :)</div><div></div><div></div></div></div>

Get creative with lighting!

I'm back among the living! Yay! Thanks for being patient with me. :) Anyway, I find an often overlooked aspect of decorating is how we u...

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Being sick SUCKS.

Hello all!! I was sick as a DOG last week, sorry I haven't been able to post! I swear I will get on in the next day or two. Thanks for being patient with me! I know you are all waiting with baited breath for the next installment... :)

Being sick SUCKS.

Hello all!! I was sick as a DOG last week, sorry I haven't been able to post! I swear I will get on in the next day or two. Thanks for b...

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Customize your lamps!

One of my favorite ways to make what I already have work in a space is to make changes to a lamp. This is such an easy (and CHEAP!) way to make a lamp perfect for your room! Often I will find a lamp base I love but not a shade. Or the base is perfect but the wrong color.<br /><br /><div>I was looking for a specific look for our living room -- found this and loved the look:<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img alt="" border="0" height="335" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211563105600295874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuis3UFRAQOSQc45laoqxt9tSQephjp0G8uHsvijCgirchqU4KcixM8HqUOqn1CYCEHdL_BNrEoUzBshN9_knaKESqmVZDw9VpfdweDs34mF1JeGUoryakeUBbUC5nIzaed9fO5YJNlFU/s400/31kSBybgSaL__SS384_.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" width="330" /></div><div>It wasn't the color I wanted and I didn't care for any of the shades, so I spray painted it black and covered a shade I already had to get the colors and look I wanted. This is what I ended up with:<br /></div><div></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211563116241066690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKtF2MrjVqGKDKW9pVNCESBO90h2OQEQj_CXj8AtJ8VcpMYJWSAL53sB5g1sI-CbedbR2iKeUN4z8OdYeHkqeZ8Hbsou7-viMyUkC3RF9l3shfiKalpxSGWkjowQXBB6iS3c1uysK90c/s400/DSC03839.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div></div><div><br />This project was super cheap -- to cover a lamp shade you only need about half a yard of fabric. I think I did this with $5 of fabric. You'll need a hot glue gun to put it on, but it's as simple as wrapping the fabric around the shade and gluing in on! To hide the rough edges around the top and bottom, I add a coordinating trim with the glue gun. You could also get creative and add trim hanging down from the shade too! The glue gun is another fabulous invention -- you can get a glue gun for $2!!<br /></div><div></div><div>Here's one I did for our office -- again, I found the perfect base but couldn't find anything I liked in a shade, so I covered one!<br /></div><div></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211563123390572834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6upPLD9eyizPWZOHpg9HhX_StFjaLupAn3D2gfsR46a99HiwLrhNgmEphOEdD8M8hxEP5Gv3duyTFPs9Ig8m8M56xKByhH6zR_gcDoywJdDsTNiOYEDUXSkWfQ9FQshwLEC-cUTc6Gro/s400/DSC03837.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div></div><div><br />This is such an easy way to make a room more custom -- and it's so easy! Be careful with fabrics that have stripes. You'll have to pleat the fabric like above, so the stripes keep going the same direction.<br /></div><div></div><div>In our son's room, I found a soft fabric with stars on it that went PERFECT and I had to use it somehow. This is what I came up with:<br /></div><div></div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211563127147600610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL15aTiinSZv8Tc2nNc-SChh9dmqJa8RRo-nzpJpNRlxWXoNZ_Xpvp-zqGKh0xRr5JIcJqaJ8Af6AtmMBf89g4gZOTk7Z0bOuNUkYV8A87d7gNV4Pn2_vVtbgawmLYJVIkRXMoHD-dkI/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br />You can transform just about any lamp with spray paint and fabric! Go buy a glue gun!!<br /><div></div>

Customize your lamps!

One of my favorite ways to make what I already have work in a space is to make changes to a lamp. This is such an easy (and CHEAP!) way to m...

Read more »

These are a few of my favorite stores...

I wouldn't feel right not sharing where to get the BEST finds. There are a few places I frequent all the time that I thought I would share:<br /><br /><a href="http://hobbylobby.com/">Hobby Lobby</a>: This place ROCKS. They have sections of their stuff half off every week -- from silk flowers to frames to endless mirrors, art and home accessories. One of my favorites here is their accessories -- there are thousands to pick from. They have decor for any taste. Plus you can find fun things for kid's rooms and nurseries if you really look. And their holiday decor is great -- and usually half off. But my favorite reason to frequent Hobby Lobby is their lamps. OH my goodness, they are beautiful. Some rival the $250 lamps I sell to clients. And if you catch them half off -- you can get gorgeous lamps for $40 and less. I got one of my favorites there for $30.<br /><br /><a href="http://joann.com/">Joann Etc./Joann Fabrics</a>: This is also a great place for accessories and crafts. They also have great outdoor items that are usually half off. But the best reason to frequent Joann's is for their fabric. They have a great selection and if you use a coupon or wait for a sale, you can get fabric for up to 50 percent off. This is SUCH a deal -- you just won't find the quality or selection of fabric anywhere else for those prices.<br /><br /><a href="http://homegoods.com/">Homegoods/TJ Maxx</a>: These stores are owned by the same company and both offer FABULOUS deals on a variety of items. The Homegoods store had the best selection I've seen anywhere. Beware -- you will probably leave there with something every time you go -- as long as you give yourself enough time to really look. They have an endless selection of lamps, furniture, great rugs, art, accessories and kitchen items. They also have an adorable baby/child section. But my favorite finds are their bedding items. They have such great deals on duvets, bedding sets, comforters, throw pillows, etc. You just can't beat their prices on bedding!<br /><br />Your local consignment shops: This is my latest find. I found one nearby to drop off things to sell and have now spent double in their shop than I will make from my items selling. Perfect. This is another place you really have to look through, but it is FUN. Such a great variety and great deals. Plus little quirky things that you just won't find anywhere else. Watch it though -- I saw plenty of items from places like Hobby Lobby that I could have just driven down the street to get for half the price. But consignment shops are worth looking up in your area. I was surprised by the quality and range of decor and furniture they sold. If anything, it's just fun to look through when you have some time.<br /><br />The best thing to do if you are interested in any of these stores is to sign up for e-mails and mailings to get their coupons weekly. That way you'll get the weekly sales ads so you know when to venture out for a specific item you want that may be on sale. Happy shopping!! :)

These are a few of my favorite stores...

I wouldn't feel right not sharing where to get the BEST finds. There are a few places I frequent all the time that I thought I would sha...

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No. 1 bang for the buck.

I'm going backwards here, aren't I? OK, you all know how I looooove my molding and then of course, there's the drapes. But the number one, easiest, cheapest, quickest way to transform your spaces is PAINT. Duh. I know, rocket science. But some people are so scared of it and I don't know why! They love the way color looks on the walls but are afraid to do it themselves. (Yes, I am talking to YOU.) Or they think it may hurt resale down the line. First of all, you will probably love the color when you put in on your walls, and <em>most</em> colors will only help resale. If you don't love it -- you can paint over it!<br /><br />Paint absolutely warms up a space like nothing else. For a 12 x 12 room, one gallon is enough. Most say you should do two coats but I can usually get away with one. And it is CHEAP! Behr paints from Home Depot are great and a fantastic deal -- only $20 for a gallon.<br /><br />My favorite example of how paint transforms a room is my stepdaughter's room. We used blue for the walls and she picked out three more colors to add...this is what we came up with:<br /><br /><a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/saucey2/House/Kids%20rooms/?action=view&current=Im000052.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="724" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/saucey2/House/Kids%20rooms/Im000052.jpg" style="WIDTH: 473px; HEIGHT: 651px" width="507" /></a><br /><br />I did this for $50 -- $20 for a gallon of paint and $10 each for three quarts. Am I wrong? Total transformation! If you would like more info on how do the grid, just let me know. It looks much harder than it is. (I say that a lot, huh?)

No. 1 bang for the buck.

I'm going backwards here, aren't I? OK, you all know how I looooove my molding and then of course, there's the drapes. But the n...

Read more »