To go with your new light fixtures in that remodeled kitchen!

H/T Yanko Design.

The ceiling fix is complete and the new lights are installed!  My contractor brother (Dean) was right that the job would take about four days – most of those were spent waiting for things to dry.  To review, on days one through three he demolished the old ceiling and put up the new drywall with the subsequent tape and mudding applied.  He also wired for a new light fixture – we had the choice of going for one with several lamps coming down or simply having two or three single drop lights.   You’ll see what we chose soon!

After all the mud was dry and the ceiling was ready to texture and complete, another heavy coat of joint compound or drywall mud was applied.

We picked up a texture brush at the local hardware store.

Dean dipped the brush into the mud so both the brush had mud and the ceiling had mud and began to tamp it down (up) hard.

Once he finished the entire wet surface, he did a few spot checks so there was no visible interruption between the old and the new.  He believes we may have to eventually paint so the entire ceiling will be the same shade of white, but so far it’s not too distracting.

Dean then moved on to the lighting.  First he connected the neutral (or white) wires from the ceiling wire to the light fixture and tied it off with wire connectors.  Then the white wires and the black wires were connected.

After all the wires were connected, he began to actually put up the fixture and then moved to the fixture in the kitchen.

(That’s me helping by handing some parts to him that actually held the light in place.)

And VOILA!  Two new beautiful light fixtures … only the ceiling fan behind this pendulum light was an older one, but the other photo I took wasn’t as good so you’re really seeing only one new one here.

And the only damage was to the watermelon which got some drywall splatter on it.

We ate it anyway and it was delish!

Today my contractor (aka brother) wired for the new light over our counter, put the drywall up, and mudded the drywall.  Now we wait for it to dry, although when the temperature cools, he’ll be on the roof fixing the flashing that caused the leak.

Hoping by the end of the weekend I’ll show you some new photos of my kitchen light fixtures! Have a happy weekend!

We’ve started the demolition of our damaged ceiling.  Here’s a “before” picture.

First we went to buy our supplies at the home improvement / hardware store.  Next we took down the light fixture, then prepared the room.  Like an episode of Dexter, it was important to cover everything in plastic because of the mess that was about to happen.

Then the messy demolition.

Don’t believe it’s messy?  Look at the floor.

Cleaning is a two-person job.  One to scoop up the insulation with a dust pan (or a piece of sturdy cardboard would do) and the other to hold the bag.

Next we’re going to replace the blow insulation with the kind you unroll so we can keep the heat from sweeping into the house.  Then my brother is running more electrical wire so we can add a couple of pendant lights over our the extension part of our L-shaped counter.

I haven’t picked the lights yet.  I’ll wait so my husband and I can decide together.  I liked the “orange” one from yesterday until someone told me that’s what they have in Starbucks.

Will decide tonight!

During the torrential rains and subsequent flooding in Tennessee and Kentucky in early May, we had a ceiling leak due to “wind driven rain” (according to our insurance adjuster).  My contractor (and brother) has finally cleared his schedule to come and make the repair.

While he’s working on the ceiling, we’re also adding some drop lights over our kitchen counter.  With hundreds to choose from, we still haven’t quite made up our minds on which ones to get and the debate is on.

My husband’s pick:

And my pick:

The joy of these lights is that you can change the globe as your moods and tastes change!  Will post more about the actual work as we make progress!

An old, dear college friend of mine is one of the most talented artists I know.  Ginny has started a new web page called Fresh Bread and Tire Repair.  Just as quirky as the title of her site is her art.  And this photo of rugs in the yard.

I love this concept for anyone who needs a shaded outdoor space!  And I love that her daughter took the photo.  When she sent me the baby announcement oh-so-many-years-ago, I’ll never ever forget how she described the birth.  But that’s a description for another day and another site!

Thank you, Ginny and Becca.