If it’s been a while since my last home decor post that will be because progress has been glacial. I swear I am not holding out on you. All I’ve achieved, other than what I’m reporting on here, is swapping out a broken toilet roll holder. Yup, it’s been that exciting on the interiors front, folks!
Even this was an unplanned project. The homestead’s pine tongue and groove ceilings provide much needed character in what is otherwise a very ordinary 1980’s building. The existing fake-stained-glass shades are resplendent with parallel lines, which, adjacent to all those lines in the ceiling planks, were setting off a migraine. I knew they had to go, and sooner rather than later.
BEFORE. The bare bulb used to have a matching shade. Early casualty of my irritation with those lines.
However I hadn’t actually got a plan for what to replace them with until I saw these light fittings on special at Mitre 10.
The picture on the box shows three, but there is only one per box.
I wasn’t sure whether they were quite right for the room, so on a impulse I bought three, which was their entire stock. And a dimmer switch. I know, what can I say, such recklessness! It took me a couple of weeks to get around to installing everything. Which you will be pleased to hear I did with no recklessness at all.
I turned the power off at the mains, and read all the awkward translated-from-Mandarin instructions (‘avoid placing genitals on live electrical cables’ — yes, yes, I made that up. You know what I mean though). When our soon-to-be-resident electrician, Stephen, visited last weekend he checked my work and deemed it up to snuff.
And here is the result. Bear in mind that I couldn’t possibly show you a full room view because it is illegal to put pictures of your house on your blog unless it is tidy (yup, I’m pretty sure that is a rule).
AFTER. No migraine.
You can just see three of the four lights in the living area, the fourth is out of sight around the corner to the left. I was initially resigned to finding a different (but complementary of course) fitting for that part of the room. Then, lo and behold, Mitre 10 restocked! I snatched up a matching light for the living room and another for our bedroom (yes, I’ll show you later).
So, that’s the update. What do you think? Is it an improvement? Or did you see a certain appeal in lots of lines? Then again perhaps you agree with the Forbearing Husband. He doesn’t give a jot about contemporary pendant lighting design, but he has enjoyed being able to dim the globes while we catch up with the second season of Better Call Saul.
Budget:
- Light fittings $39.95 x 4 (Mitre 10): $159.40
- Dimmer switch (Bunnings): $28
- Total = $187.40
don’t know why you didn’t call your post “Balls of Light”. or “Light Balls”.
or anything with the word ‘balls’ in it, right?
I noticed last weekend that J’s Teas has the exact same light shades. You are tuned right in to the 20 something, hip world of pearl tea drinking.
Haha, always at the cutting edge of interior design up here on the farm! Wait until you see the (yet to be completed) navy blue kitchen.