Using a lamp shade as a light fixture

Hello there! This is a quick lighting change that makes it easy to customize the lighting in a room. I'm sharing how I adapted a drum shade to create the look of a flush mount light in our bathroom too! 

We have a recessed light above the tub in our bathroom, which is great. I always had plans to covert it using a light kit. Here's a night time view before I started:

First I used the converter kit -- it's a simple change! You screw it into the recessed light like a light bulb, and then there's a part that hangs down so you can hang a pendant fixture on it. (You buy those separately.) Here's a look at the converter kit I used:

I actually used this years and years ago over our kitchen sink. It works great and you can adjust the length of the cord easily. 

I'm OBSESSED with some beautiful lamp shades at IKEA called Nymo -- every single time we go in I drool over them. They're the most beautiful colors and have such pretty detail. They have a really large size that I fell in love with for our master bathroom. 

I ended up getting a large black one for that room, and hung it using the converter kit. It was plenty high, but I did some checking on electrical code and found out it was going to hang a little low for the measurements required above a tub. 

We couldn't touch it (you want to make sure you can reach for it if you're falling) but I was still wanting it to be higher just in case. So I thunk and I thunk about how I could still use the fixture without that being an issue. And I came up with a plan! 

I used (affiliate) my pipe cutters (I use them more than you'd think -- they're great for cutting down drapery rods!) to cut off the round part in the middle off of the shade frame: 

Yes, that is a cat butt you see. 

He's always with me:

I was able to remove the center part:

I had a plan to use cup hooks in the ceiling to hang the shade but couldn't get my ladder under the shade just right to reach. So I traced the shade on some paper, then marked where the cup hooks needed to be: 

I used painters tape to tape it to the ceiling (centered on the recessed light) and then marked where my cup hooks needed to go. I took it down and added my hooks where I marked.

I was able to hang the shade directly from the ceiling so it looks like a flush mount:

This way I'm using the recessed light and just hanging the shade around it, so no worries at all! I cut the wire mount out of the middle because I didn't want it in the way of the light bulb. 

I LOVE IT! Gah, aren't these shades so pretty?:

I ended up cutting the metal down a bit more because you could see them sticking out from underneath (although we're the only ones who will see that part): 

It gives us the look of a flush mount light without it hanging down over the tub. It's SO pretty at night especially!:

That gold inside just makes it! 

Because I still had the recessed light converter, I went ahead and added another shade (I already had it for my husband's office -- but he'll need a bigger one anyway) to our little hallway I showed you earlier this week:

Goodness I just love these! Somebody please stop me from adding them all over my house. The price is great for the detail and size. So pretty! 

If you have a recessed light that is centered nicely in a spot, these are a great option to add a little detail and customization to your house too! 

Have any of you used these kits? Of course you can use anything as the pendant -- shades, baskets -- so many fun options! 

You can see how I used a lamp shade to make over our old ceiling fan here -- what a difference that made!!

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Danielle Donaldson is coming to our first workshop weekend!

We are so excited to announce our first workshop weekend with Danielle Donaldson! I met Danielle quite a few years ago at an art weekend at Jeanne Oliver’s. We had a fun weekend getting to know each other, and I discovered her beautiful talent for watercolor. A year or so later, I was able to head back to Colorado, and watch her teach a watercolor class at a store called Old Glory. It was so amazing to watch Danielle teach, and how excited everyone in class was to be there.

We are also so excited to announce that we are going to be hosting Danielle at The Collective lhe  + Makery for a watercolor class!!!

Friday, April 6th, we are going to be hosting her book signing open house party for the release of her second book!  Make sure you come by for goodies,treats and giveaways! On Saturday and Sunday, we have spots open for our first workshop weekend!!

We’ll have an amazing weekend of creating, painting and inspiration!  I love Danielle’s watercolor style, because it’s so different than my own. I have such a painterly, heavy style, that I can’t wait learn to paint something so light, and whimsical. I really love how she blends colors and adds so much texture to her work. I know for our first workshop weekend it’s going to be amazing! You can register for each day on it’s own, or you can sign up for both days for a discount.

If you are coming from out of town, we do have a special rate at the local hotel. We are also right off the Burlington Northern train line, and very close to two major tollways, and only about 25 minutes from Downtown Chicago.

We hope to see you there!!!

 

(affiliate link) You can find Danielle Donaldson’s first book, CreativeGIRL: Mixed Media Techniques for an Artful Life  ,on Amazon, and you can also order her second book, The Art of Creative Watercolor: Inspiration and Techniques for Imaginative Drawing and Painting too.

 

 

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Art wall around the thermostat (and a hanging art hack)

I've had a lot of fun finding spots for our stuff in this house, especially art. Everything feels brand new in a different space! It's been fun to figure out what works where -- even though I've put way too many holes in the walls already. 

We have this small hallway off the kitchen that has our thermostat: 

That closet was absolutely packed with stuff for months after moving in -- you can see the clean, organized closet here. 

I had a mirror up on the wall above the thermostat but it never looked right. I knew eventually I'd do something more there. So today I did just that, and in the process I remembered a trick I wanted to show you again!

I've blogged about this somewhere in the last few years, but it's a great tip worth mentioning again. Hanging art or frames with two hooks is the bane of my existence. When I turn something over and see two I feel like shaking my fists to the sky -- nooooo!

I showed you my painter's tape trick for hanging larger pieces easily here. But for smaller ones like this there's an even easier tip. Especially when you realize the two hooks aren't even on the back...argh!!:

It's hard to tell here but the two hooks were different distances from the top. *shakes fists in air*

Soooo...here's how to deal with that. Just tie a string across the two:

If you're hanging more than one that needs to be at the same height, make sure your string is tied the same on each one. To make this easy I just tie it tight across the two, and then when you pull up the hooks will probably tilt in a bit like above. 

You may still have to make teeny tiny adjustments if you want them all exactly even (they're never totally even in this house), but it works great! These frames used to lean along the back of our son's built ins in his old room for years: 

I'm going to change the navy blue mats (which are just posterboard). I was going to change some of the photos too, but our son was SO tickled to see them down here I'm leaving them as is, at least for now. I'll eventually update with some more recent pics too. 

It's a sweet little spot! And I was happy to use what we had. It also works with the thermostat but doesn't get in the way:

I was able to get them up really fast since I wasn't dealing with trying to make those uneven hooks work. 👍 

Try the string trick if you've got annoying frames with two hooks. The only issue might be that they move around more than those secured by two nails. You can use the little rubber pads for cabinets on the back if that bothers you! (I don't mess with that often.)

Any other good hanging tricks you want to share? Have you ever tried this little hack? Check out this post with more tips on hanging art here!

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Our soothing master bedroom tour

Happy weekend friends! I finally finished up the second nightstand in our master bedroom and figured it would be a good time to share this room with you! It's nice to take photos and share these with you because I really get to see the beauty of our spaces. It's different when you're in them all day. When I was editing these photos I was thinking this sure is a pretty room! ;) 

If you've missed any of the room tours in the new house so far, here's a list:

• Powder room
• Mud room/laundry combo
• Foyer
• My office
• Morning room (saw a similar room called that the other day and fell in love with it!)
• Basement family room
• Kitchen

Our master is almost exactly the same size as our last one, but that one was wide where this one is long. It's different for us and so far we really like it. It has a TON of windows -- which was what we fell in love with months ago. There's a lot I want to do in here but this is how it looks now!

This is the room shortly before we moved in:

I've been working hard on getting this room "done" (you know I'm never done). I shared the IKEA nightstand transformations a couple weeks ago -- I LOVE them!! 

That mirror above the bed is too small but I'm trying to use what we have for the time being. Other than drapes and the lamps I haven't bought anything for this room and I'll wait till I find just the right thing for over the bed. I've always thought that spot is hard!

I may raise the headboard just a bit too -- but man that was a pain to hang and the anchors are already in the wall. So maybe I won't be moving it up. 😂

I made the bed for you...mostly. ;) I have three big euro pillows but I'm tired of messing with them, so  you get the simpler look today!

You can see how I made the tufted headboard here -- so many of you have done the same and I love seeing your pics!! That headboard just barely squeaked in between those windows! 

We had these IKEA curtains in the old house and I LOVE them because they block the light well. Someday I'd like to find something lighter maybe? I want to see how the idea I have for the tray ceiling comes together first. Whatever we use has to be able to block the morning sun -- we had the temporary pleated shades for months so it's nice to have total darkness again!

These are the Salena velvet drapes by the way and I have them doubled up on the long wall:

We LOVE all the windows! The evening light is my favorite in here but that natural light is great all day:

You can find our light fixture (affiliate) here -- although ours was a lot less. There's a larger version with more lights as well. I loved the unique shape and the wood tone!

I repeated the frames around our TV like our old bedroom, but arranged them differently. I took the photos on a trip and printed them out at home:

We've had that dresser forever -- I've found all of my favorite furniture pieces on Craigslist! I keep messing with accessories on there. Another hard one. Ha! When I finally figure out what I like I'll never change it again: 

We didn't do hardwoods in here to keep costs down and I'm not regretting it at all. I don't know if we'll do them in here eventually or not! I'm really loving the carpet. :)

If you can keep plants alive, they bring so much to a room! I don't have much luck with ferns so I hope I can keep this one thriving:

I only put about ten holes in the new wall trying to get these frames symmetrical: 

I admire people that can go without a TV in the master. I am not one of them. We love winding down at night and watching our shows:

You KNOW that that cord is driving me crazy right now. 

Colby has to get in the pics someway or another: 

Still deciding what will go on this wall. And I have a FUN plan in mind for that tray ceiling! Can't wait to tackle that!:

I'm thinking a large leaning mirror would be lovely on that wall. I found one a few months ago that would have been PERFECT. I'm still kicking myself for not getting it. 

There you go! Hope you enjoyed the tour! I'll link the projects and items I can at the bottom of the post for you. Most of the furniture was from HomeGoods, which I know is annoying sometimes because you never know if you'll find the same thing. 

Hope your weekend is a cozy as his!:

Project links and sources:

• IKEA Tarva dresser makeovers
• DIY tufted headboard 
• Bedding, chair, side table, bookcase, lamps and bench all from HomeGoods
• Window hardware, white duvet cover and drapes from IKEA
• Light fixture can be found here
• Floor lamp was from Target but I don't think they sell this finish anymore. You can get it in white or black though!
• More about our Sleep Number bed (that we still LOVE)

Affiliate links included for your convenience!

This content is property of Thrifty Decor Chick LLC. If you are reading this on any other site other than www.thriftydecorchick.com or one of her social media platforms, please contact her immediately (thriftydecorchick at gmail dot com). Any other use of this content is strictly forbidden.

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Blink And You’ll Miss It, Rushing To The Next Step

It’s funny how when we hear “blink and you’ll miss it”, we always tend to think about our kids growing up and moving on. I remember everyone telling me that someday I’ll miss when they were little. While I do have moments of how sweet some of those times are, I realize I am actually enjoying them much more now, that they are getting bigger. I love that I can hug them, and it’s like this entire person in my arms. I love that instead trying to manage just getting through every day, I am able to see the kind of people they are turning into. Don’t get me wrong, it’s so true about “bigger kids, bigger problems ” and they bring on the problems alright, but I find I prefer it to when they were little, when it was so frantic and chaotic.

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Today, I was cleaning out my little studio upstairs we put in a few years ago with bookshelf dividers (to repurpose the space,), and suddenly, I found myself thinking about “the good old days.” As I sorted through jewelry pieces and clay tools, I was brought back to the old days when blogging was new, I was just discovering my creative side, I was making journals and picture frames. I had just opened the door on my Etsy shop and launched my first seasonal line and then my second. It was like dipping my toes in the water. It made me realize that the “blink and you’ll miss it” applies to more than just our family, it also applies to our life journey and work. Suddenly,11 years of making,creating,discovering,wholesaling, doing markets and shows, writing for magazines, art licensing, product design, and retailing has gone by in a flash. And sometimes, I don’t actually know how it all happened, and how I got here.

Here I am, somewhere in the beginning again, but somewhere I never thought I would be, from that woolly dream that swirled around the back of my head as a whisper a long time ago. After years of gathering practical experience, and having God prepare me for this adventure, I sometimes can’t believe that I co-own a retail store and Makery,and all of the other things I’ve been able to do. I have to admit, after going through all of my old supplies, it feels a little bittersweet, but in a good way, almost like looking at photos.

Back when it all started almost 11 years ago, there was such an excitement and newness. Social media was more about sharing and encouragement, and not so much about competition and perfection. I know that I have learned some really valuable things about marketing and the techy stuff, a school’s worth,but it kind of makes me miss when I was a little less wise, and a little more green.  I also remember comparing myself to what everyone else was doing, and really feeling lost as to the direction I was going in. Like I said, bittersweet,but a good reminder.

I look at my first headshot, the young mom who started by painting on mason jars, who just wanted to start somewhere, and compare it to a  most recent photo and realize there’s a lot of stuff that has happened in between those two people( More than a few extra laugh lines, and bifocals.).

 

 

It was such a different time,and so much has happened along the way. It makes me realize now we have to really to savor the season we are in, and not push too hard to rush to the next thing, and believe me, it’s hard not to. We are in this amazing place of growth, and discovery, and opportunity. We get to touch and interact with so  many amazing people. Everyday we are learning things we did right… and things we really did wrong. There is something that pops up, brand new, on the learning curve, that calls for reassessment. There are things we’ve forgotten, and opportunities we’ve missed,mistakes made, lessons learned, and grace given. It makes me realize, we really need to sit in this place of sweetness sometimes, and not treat it like limbo, but treat it like gathering. Gathering energy for the next thing, gathering knowledge, gathering energy, and letting God do his thing. Looking back over the last 11 years, I would say, if you’re in one of those places, sometimes enjoying that moment is the best thing you can do. Sit in that moment, let it be, listen to it, remember it. It’s almost like if we rush ahead, we turn the marathon into a sprint, and lose the best part of the journey,because the way things change, if we blink-we’ll miss it.

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Fun and pretty storage ideas in the master closet

Now that I'm feeling like me again (almost back to 100 percent after my back injury!), I've been BUSY around the house. I've, as I say, gotten my mojo back. But it's been a lot of little things that don't add up to one big thing. But each project, no matter how small, gives me great satisfaction. It feels so GOOD to get things done again! 

One spot that isn't even close to done but is coming along is my closet. We had a huge master in our old house that served us well. I always had more plans for it but it was easy to keep organized. We have his and hers closets in this house and so far I'm loving it (because mine is the bigger one 😂). 

I added cabinets in our old closet for our folded clothes and I loved having it put away behind doors. I want to do something similar in our new closets, but for now we're working with what we have. We didn't upgrade anything in these rooms because I wanted to see how we used the spaces before putting any money into them. 

Well, I lived with mine for months and living with clothes and jewelry in boxes was starting to get old. So I started with a spot to put the smaller clothing like socks and tanks. I went with this Hemnes dresser from IKEA and it fit perfectly at the end of the closet under the taller shelves. (It's on sale right now!)

Then I was able to have some fun with the top of the dresser -- I was excited that I had all this space to use for the prettier items! I use trays to corral lotions, sprays and perfumes:

I was thrilled to get a lamp in there! I found it on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I have a random outlet in my closet, my husband does not and he's super jealous of my lamp. :) We plan to figure something out for his too. 

I love having the lamp on while I'm doing laundry and going in and out putting things away. It's just cozy and pretty. 

I made a holder for my long necklaces at the old house (it covered the ugly utility access) but I needed something for this closet. I ended up using this tie holder -- it has nearly 30 holders and works perfectly for necklaces!

I got mine from the Container Store but (affiliate link) this one has nearly as many hooks and looks similar. 

I love that little vintage silver tray -- it's one of my favorite Goodwill finds ever! Look at the sweet detail:

I really need to clean it up but I just adore it. I've used it for years and I feel like it's more on display in here than it's ever been. :) 

I've been trying to figure out a good way to store my shoes for YEARS!! Argh, it's my biggest issue in the closet. I know wood shelves would be ideal, and maybe someday I'll add some just for shoes. But I've tried wire racks and I find the shoes (especially heels) just become a mess. 

I saw a picture of a closet with shoes neatly put away in plastic bins and fell in love with it. I figured they would be crazy expensive though --I found some plastic shoe bins at HomeGoods but they were $8 each -- so I held off. And THEN I found them at the Container Store for less than $2 each. Still more than I wanted to spend though, and THEN I saw that they sell them in bulk for less. AND THEN they were on sale beyond that, so I got 20 shoe boxes for a little more than a buck each. SCORE. 

So far I really like having them put away. I can fit numerous flat shoes in one so I have way more than 20 in the boxes. I ended up getting some for my husband's shoes (they are bigger) and those work great for boots:

Don't look to the left or right -- just straight ahead looks super organized and cute!:

By the way, my every day shoes are in the mud room -- I don't put those in the boxes. Ain't nobody got time for that. But the off season and less worn shoes are here. I have a stool to the right that I grab to get anything on the top shelves (top is for heels I don't wear as often). 

The little lamp is my favorite part though. I say add a lamp wherever you can! Kitchens, laundry rooms, closets...I love them anywhere!: 

There you go -- a start to an organized closet! I've got a long way to go but I don't want to do much more just yet. Later we'll do something built in for folded clothes and I want to wait to see what will work best. We're still getting the lay of the land in this house! 

Do you have any closet organization tricks or tips? What do you do with your shoes? 

This content is property of Thrifty Decor Chick LLC. If you are reading this on any other site other than www.thriftydecorchick.com or one of her social media platforms, please contact her immediately (thriftydecorchick at gmail dot com). Any other use of this content is strictly forbidden.

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