light fixture

How to Install a Hard-Wired Pendant Light {and $200 Giveaway}

You may have noticed that pretty little seedy glass pendant light over our sink from my video the other day. It was a breeze to install, so I want to share with you the tutorial. BUT…before we get down to the step-by-step, I have some awesome news for you. GoldenageUSA.com has offered to give one of you lucky ducks a $200 Shopping Spree on their website! GoldenageUSA gave me the seedy glass pendant light in exchange for mentioning them on the blog. If you haven’t heard of them, they have an online store FULL of the most amazing light fixtures. They work with a lot of high end stores and even custom design light fixtures for clients upon request.

I put together the graphic above with just a small sampling of some of their products. They sell every type of light imaginable. Plus, they have ceiling fans, rugs, mirrors and much more. If I won the $200 I’d have a very hard time deciding what I’d like to buy with the winnings. If you think you can chose, be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this post. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Electrical, Giveaway, kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, light fixture, Pendant Lamps

How to Install Recessed Lights

27 Feb posted by Brittany Bailey

Kitchen progress is definitely moving along (hooray!!!) We now have recessed lighting in our ceiling and it really helps even out the lighting in the kitchen. Plus getting rid of the semi-flush light fixtures makes the ceiling feel taller.

We debated about installing new construction recessed lighting:

or remodel type recessed lights:

remodel_recessed_light

We could have installed either because our ceiling was already full of holes. Ultimately, we decided to install the old work (or remodeling type) lights because they clamp tightly to the sheet rock for less vibration. They also have a built in junction box with easy to wire connectors. (Did I mention that my son’s bedroom is right over the kitchen and there is a lot of jumping and bouncing that goes on up there!)

My electrician let me pal around and help him install the recessed cans after he ran the wiring. You know I took careful notes so I could share with you how to install your own recessed lighting fixtures. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: ceilings, Electrical, kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, light fixture

How to Create Rope Light Word Wall Art

19 Nov posted by Brittany Bailey

I really appreciate all your kind comments about my arts and craft studio. Don’t forget to enter to win the Flow Wall organizational system, the giveaway ends Wednesday, Nov. 21st at midnight EST.

The boys and I christened the art & craft studio yesterday by creating ornaments. We had creative clutter strewn everywhere! It was wonderful to be able to spread out and not stress too much about the mess (although I did end up cleaning up and vacuuming last night.) But enough about that, what you really want to know is how to create your own rope light art sign. The possibilities of words are endless. I bet your child would love to have their own name in lights!

The germination of the light sign came from this installation I did at the Habitat house I worked on with GMC. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: accessories, art, arts and craft, light fixture, Tutorial

Habitat ReStore Talk on Saturday, November 17th in Cary, NC

13 Nov posted by Brittany Bailey

Things have been hoppin’ around Pretty Handyville, so forgive this late notice:

It’s been a while, but I’m excited to be giving another talk at one of our local Habitat ReStores.

I’ll be sharing some amazing lighting transformations that you can create for less than $10. I hope you can make it to the Cary ReStore, 181 High House Road, Cary, NC 27511. The talk will start at 1pm. Get there early because there will be some great lighting deals and steals .

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Filed Under: Electrical, habitat ReStore, light fixture

5 Minute Light Upgrade – Converting a Recessed Light to a Pendant

8 Oct posted by Brittany Bailey

This post really should be titled: How to convert a can light in 5 minutes or less (if you aren’t shooting tutorial photos every 30 seconds), and why did it take me 6 months to do this?! But, that would be a looooonnggggg title. I’ll spare you the extra word count and just get right down to it.

Do you have can (or recessed) lights in your ceiling? Do you have enough to have a full line up of gals doing the can can?

Yup, that’s what we have, a full half dozen cans in the bonus room ceiling. I decided to break up the monotony with a little lighting rebel: meet my new bronze sphere cage pendant light. [Read more...]