Our First Real Home Improvement Project

Yesterday we received a $100 Lowe's gift card from when we bought our washer and dryer. So last night we went shopping. I really wanted to get new light fixtures for the kitchen because the other ones were sooo ugly. Scott had some other really great ideas, but when it came down to it, he said, "whatever you want Honey," (like a good hubby). We had always talked about putting a fan and light combo in the kitchen, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to skip the fan. You see, I wear contacts and they dry out easily if there is any sort of fan blowing. Even in the car I have to have the air point away from my face. When we lived on River Road in Ringle, we had a great little ceiling fan and I loved to use it when I was cooking. The kitchen always got hot and the breeze was nice, but every time I turned it on, I had to go take my contacts out because I couldn't see. So that's why we ultimately decided to skip the fan.

Chris and Terri were waiting for us when we got home last night. Chris seemed to think he knew what he was doing so he helped Scott get the light up in the kitchen. (This morning we re-did it. Sorry Chris.) He also helped Scott put in a dimmer switch for the chandelier. Yeah--he forgot to tighten something and when the power was turned on it blew out the dimmer. So this morning Scott took it back. He successfully installed the new one when he got home and we installed the chandelier ALL BY OURSELVES! Can you believe it! I didn't even call my dad, in fact, it never even crossed my mind to call him. You have to understand that while my husband is an incredibly gifted musician, he doesn't fancy himself a handyman. I on the other hand think I am the Handy Lady, but have never really done anything yet. I have just watched ALOT of HGTV, Discovery Home, and DIY. Plus I've always had a dad that could do pretty much anything. So, it was a learning project, but it was really fun doing it together. It wasn't as easy as it looks like when Chico does it for Candace, but it was our first time. We'll get the hang of it.

Anyway, I just had to share a few pictures of our first home improvement project....
But first a picture of the old light fixture. It's nasty twin was above the dining area.

Our BRAND NEW chandelier...


In the background your can see our new curtains for the kitchen. I finally hemmed them and got them up this week. I pulled one side closed to show you what it looks like, but we normally leave them open. The wall color will be pretty much that exact color.

This is the light in the kitchen. I didn't use the flash because it made it look all sterile.


And this is our wonderful dimmer switch Scott installed for the chandelier. It's really cool. Growing up my parents always had dimmers on everything. I have really missed that living in rental places.