'Tis the season to hang a pendant light

By Tammy

Today is the day the busy family finally pulled the trigger and ordered a new pendant light fixture for our breakfast nook style update.  Wanna see it?

Barn Light Warehouse Pendant

For me, there is just something about the history of objects that fascinate me.  Found around farms and within early American factories, this shade design is nearly 100 years old!  Plus, it's American made.  This vintage industrial barn light from Barn Light Electric will be making its way to my doorstep just in time for the holidays.

With a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it can't add much more to my already-growing December electric bill... so 'tis the season to hang lights.

Photo

From Pinterest

(Up)Date Night Part III: The Big Reveal

Tami wraps up her (Up)Date Night story, telling about the great change the new Wilsonart HD Countertop and undermount Wilsonart Stainless Steel sink made to her kitchen. Tami also sends kudos to L.E. Smith Company and Bryan Building Center for their contributions. Click here for more information about Wilsonart HD.

Remodeling on A Budget Part 1

By Jenn at Five Dollar Shake
 
Six years ago, my husband and I decided to sell our little two bedroom house in search of a bigger and better home to raise our kids in. It didn't take us long to decide on a location, but the house was another story. There were very little homes in our price range to choose from. So, we went with the best constructed home that needed the least amount of work. What it did need was cosmetic attention, and lot's of it. Each and every room was covered in wallpaper and dark brown carpet, ah la 70's style.

Then the economy crashed, and our income was cut in half. Making even the cosmetic changes more difficult. Happy to be in a home in our choice of neighborhood with our choice of schools, we waited, and waited. We waited until one day I said, ya know what - let's just do it, let's dig in and if it takes us a year, so be it. Well, it took us way over a year, much closer to two, but we did it, and we did it all on a budget.

I’m very excited to have the opportunity to share the details here on The Lean Remodeler of our complete make over of three rooms (kitchen, dining, living room) all at once, and on a budget.

The biggest tip from our experience of remodeling on a budget is to plan to do everything you are capable of yourself! Thankfully, my husband is a real “do it yourself” kind of guy. Taking advantage of opportunities such as Wilsonart’s DIY countertops literally saved us hundreds!

Below is a photo of our living room, and an example of how we lived while doing our remodel one step at a time, as our budget permitted.




Was it worth it? You'll soon see for yourself...