Fluorescent Light Fixture Makeover

I am so excited to share this with you because I made a promise to myself that if I need to know how to do this, then others might appreciate my insight on how we tackled it as well!

We moved into our 1969 bungalow 11 years ago and for 11 years I looked at a truly retina-burning HUGGEEE fluorescent light fixture in our basement.  We didn't switch it out because it was actually inset into the ceiling, so that meant repairing a massive hole in the ceiling or finding a way around it and McGyvering it.  I opted to unleash my inner McGyver and this is the end result.

I will share the steps with you as my hubby and I join forces (I definitely needed extra hands to install this) to make a massive change in my Woman Cave Lounge.

Here is what the lovely gem looked like BEFORE...you may needs sunglasses.  Ohhh, my!

This was while I was getting ready to start my WCL reno.  And the moment I decided the nasty fixture needs to die.

 We ripped the old fixture out and started making plans for the new one. We measured the opening in the ceiling and built out a box to fit right back into the hole with 1/4" plywood. The frame is made of 1 x 2 pine. The frame fits the size of the hole and the plywood is attached to the top of the frame.

I wanted to do something that would easily give me a longer fixture length look but I didn't like anything in the stores.  I scoured Amazon and found these cute brass hanging sockets.  You can find them HERE and they are SUPER affordable which was important because, well, budgeting!!! :-)

I measured out the spots on the new box for light placement.  I decided on 3 hanging pendants because it filled the spot well. We drilled the holes for the wiring to go through. Also we predrilled holes on the frame to screw the fixture in the ceiling when it was time to install it. I used Rustoleum Chalked Spray paint in the color Charcoal to paint this out.  It was super easy to use and I love the finish it provides.  

Hubs mounted the lights on the new light box.  He did a great job! 

Hubs wired it in for me while I played foreman...just kidding, I totally helped, and then we installed it and screwed that bad boy up!  At this point I am beyond elated because it is looking DOPE!

I found these killer Amber Edison lightbulbs too which was by far the cheapest spot to get them.  I have since ordered more for other parts of my home.  They look SO great!! 

Once it was installed we added small trim around the outside, which I also sprayed with the Rustoleum Chalked Paint.  NOTE:  I usually am wearing pj's and Buffalo check flannel when I do my DIYs.  It's my signature move.  #lumberjackchic 

I think the total came to just over $100 for materials but when I compare the cost of ripping out the re-drywalling the downstairs, well...this was WAY more appealing!  I love how it turned out!! 

Thanks for stopping by! I realize that my next share needs to be WAY more detailed so bear with me as I settle into this process. 

**This blog contains affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. I never recommend anything unless I wholeheartedly stand behind it and believe in it.  It is of no additional cost to you. 

Pompom & Pinecone Garland DIY

OK so let me start by saying, technically these are NOT pinecones, but they are cones from my daughter's Hugh Jass evergreen tree, which I think is a blue spruce.  They are cones...they work.  Where I live the pines are few are far between, so I subbed in the next best thing! Real pine cones would be FAB!! 

Let's carry on shall we?

Ok so I have been obsessing over all the Pompom things this Christmas and everything is RE.DIC.U.LOUS.LY overpriced for my budget, so when met with a challenge...Martha comes out to play in the sandbox.  

I am feeling over the top creative this holiday season and because we all need a bit more glitter and fuzzy things in our lives, I decided to make this garland.  My kitchen window was looking sad and lonely and this was the perfect accoutrement. 

I bought this yarn a few years ago at Michaels and found it in my stash and throught it was about right for the task.  And Ohhhh, those pompoms are sooooo fluffy!

I didn't resort to rocket science.  I wedged a piece of thin jute between my center fingers to tie the pompom, then wrapped my hand 40 times (It sounded logical in my head) and then tied it off, cut the loops, then gave it a good jhuzzing (aka: fluffing) and trimmed it into a pretty shape.  

Onwards to the bling.  Glitter...the glue that hold my life together.  #notkidding

So I dug in my craft box for glitter I already had and found my Martha stash.  I got this a few years ago, and honestly, I am not even sure it is still in stores.  Since copper is the hot trend right now and the perfect compliment to the teal yarn, the choice was easy.

 *CAWWWW, CAWWWW*

 I simply brushed on some white paint...I had Behr Swiss Coffee for another project so I cracked open the can, brushed paint on the bottom half(ish) of the cones and then while the paint was still wet I sprinkled the magical glitter over the paint.

 I propped the cones up on a little piece of wood I had to dry.  

So here is the deal on assembly:  I made 7 pompoms and 6 pinecones.  I roughly measured the length of garland to my window so it went across the top and down both side. I used a thin jute string.  I spaced out the pompoms evenly on the jute, and simply tied them to the main piece of jute string I cut. I grabbed some thread from my sewing box for the cones, because jute was too heavy to tie around these as they are more delicate.  I tied the thread around the cones, knotted twice, then tied one cone between each pompom.  EASY, PEASY! That's it.  

I hung it above the window, giving it a little bit of a drapey swoop in the centre.  I think it is a fun addition to my holiday decor and it really took no time at all.  Because I had all the materials in my stash, this project cost me nothing, which to me is winning!  :-)

Do you love to create your own holiday decor?  I'd love to see what you are making.  If you have a blog post, drop your link to your creations below in comments.

Stay weird,

Wendy

My Cozy November - 30 Days of Hygge

Going into the winter can be a daunting task for many of us, myself included.  On the daily, I am a happy and upbeat person, but ohhh, when winter rears it's ugly head...it can test even the strongest person.

After coming across the book, The Cozy Life and reading about committing to finding more joy and comfort in every day through the little things, it spoke to me in a HUGE way.  This really is the story of my life and how we were raised....to take joy in the simple things life has to offer.  Somehow, thought the noise of life...I forgot about that for a while and you are my witness in that.  But slowly I am making my way back to this and since November is simply days away, the idea of a 30 day challenge was speaking volumes!  November has 30 days....see where I am going with this?

So I have created a list of my own ideas to share with you or you can make your own.  If you feel like joining along I'd love to see your Hygge photos on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.  Please use the hashtag #mycozynovember

30 ideas for you:

1.  Bake something amazing and share 1/2 with friends or neighbors.  

2.  Hang fairy lights EVERYwhere in your house for instant ambience.

3.  Bundle up and go for a walk with friends.  "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing".  

4.  Put flannel sheets on your bed.

5.  Have a spa night...think facials, pedis, exfoliation, the whole gamut.  And have wine.  

6.  Watch the sun come up in the morning.  Brew a hot coffee and just wait for it.  

7.  Settle in for some adult coloring.  This is my favourite coloring book right now: CREATIVE COLORING MANDALAS

8.  Try a new cafe instead of heading to your usual spot.

9.  Have a candelight bath.  This is HEAVEN!!

10.  Personally take some flowers to someone to let them know how awesome they are.

11.  Wear amazing blingy, statement jewelry and go get groceries like a boss.

12.  Start the morning out with meditation by candlelight.  

13.  Learn to knit or sew, or take a pottery class.

14.  Build a bonfire & invite friends over to join you.

15.  Add Bailey's to your morning coffee.  Salted Caramel is my favourite.  

16.  Put your smart devices away for the afternoon and be completely present in the moment.  

17.  Build yourself a Hygge nook in your house. Get out all the fluffy pillows, candles, blankets and flowers and make a spot for you to just chill and be still.

18.  Do a winter activity you used to love as a child.  

19.  Make a homemade gift for someone.

20.  Make a slow cooker meal...soups or stews are comfort food.

21.  Delete clutter from your house.  Keep the things around you that light up your soul and don't bog you down.

22.  Do yoga by candlelight.  

23.  Go for an entire weekend unplugged from tv.

24.  Bring the smells of outdoors in...pinecones, greenery, etc.  Add in a pot of oranges, cinnamon and cloves simmering on the stove and you will instantly find bliss.

25.  Hygge your wardrobe.  Chunky sweaters and leggings, legwarmers, furry coats...you get me. 

26.  Write down your thoughts in a journal.

27.  Listen to music to soothe your soul.

28.  Play board games with your family or friends.  So. Much.  FUN!

29.  Plan a movie night with popcorn.

30.  Book one whole day OFF in your planner...an empty day for you to just wing it and do some exploring all on your own.  

These are just some of many ideas I came up with for the #mycozynovember challenge.  If you need more ideas on all things cozy and Hygge, I recommend The Little Book of Hygge,  Hygge: The Danish Book of Happiness and of course, The Cozy Life.   

I'd love you to visit me and follow along with me on Instagram here at @coconutsandcaffeine

I am excited for day one!  Thanks for stopping by to read.

Cheers,

Wendy