While browsing the current Pottery Barn Bed & Bath catalog that came in the mail, I noticed a handy little product that I forgot about that will make switching out my “retro” light fixtures cheap and easy. Does anyone else have these *awesome* ceiling lights in their house? They’re so old, they’re *almost* cool again. The photos below are showing the ceiling fixtures I’m itching to change up in my house — they’re in the bedrooms, hallways and laundry room. Sexy, right?

Fortunately I have been able to change out our dining room pendant, and the ceiling fans in the living room, but I cannot wait to do something with these lights and I think that a quick change can be found in……clip-on shades! Have bare bulbs? These will help. Here is a round-up of some cool (and not so cool) ones that I’ve found.

First is the one that started my search: the Star Ceiling Clip Shade at Pottery Barn.  I love the linen fabric, which would diffuse the light oh-so-softly.

Sorry, no picture for this one, but check out this “Spiral Clip On Shade” I found over on eBay.  $5.99 each with $5.00 shipping and lots of them available!  I could switch out all the lights I need to for $56.00!  But what is the fun if they’re all the same…??

And again, sorry for the teaser, but this one is no longer available but I had to include it!  Please let me know if you find one like it because I love them!  The Ceiling Drum Clip Shade (again — from Pottery Barn).

This one is a little more decorative, but I like the rounded shape and it’s only $10.  This is the Clip-On Ceiling Shade from Plow and Hearth.

Here is an Asian parasol version, and it comes with attachments so you can hang it all different ways — gotta love versatility in function and form!  This is the Parasol Lamp Shade from Shoji Decor.  I like the black version instead of the colors.

And last, but DEFINITELY not least — my favorite of the bunch is the Butter Lunette Clip-On Shade from Relish.  Mmmm…pretty amazing, right??  The most expensive at $39 but still – $39 is pretty pocketbook friendly!

Here is a better photo of it:

What do you think of clip-on shades?  Yay…nay?  I love the texture that they’d add to the room, and with a 3-D shape they’d definitely bring your eyes up to actually check out the lighting.  And lighting is like the jewelry of the room — a room isn’t finished without nice lighting and it can make or break your decor.  Add a little sparkle and don’t neglect the lighting!

Are there any other gorgeous clip-on shades that I’ve missed out there?  And has anyone used them on CFL’s?  I’d assume they’d still work but that’s all I have in my house so we’ll have to test it out!  xo, L.

I’ve had my eye on this pendant lamp from Pottery Barn for months!  I actually mentioned it in an earlier post, proclaiming my love for “faux bois” and tree prints.  It was already on sale, so I kept checking and checking on it to make sure that it didn’t sell out.  As you might know, we went on vacation for a week earlier this month, and when I got back I decided to check on my pendant to make sure it wasn’t sold out and to my surprise it had DROPPED $30 MORE IN PRICE!  Woo-hoo!  So I bit the bullet and a few clicks later it was mine…I mean ours. 

Here it is in it’s Pottery Barn loveliness.  I love the lamp with the black, white, neutral, cool and warm tones.  I can’t make a decision on my favorite design styles, so I like to mix it up!

Here is the “before” shot (that is not the actual light fixture, that is a paper lantern from our wedding that Glenn cut to fit over the hideous “wagon wheel” fixture with broken glass – bleh!):

And here is my wonderfully handy husband installing it for me!  Wasn’t the paper lantern an improvement??  I’ve been dying to get that thing out of the house since we bought it last July!

To switch out a light, first of all – turn the power off!  And all you do is re-connect wires.  If you have an extra set of hands, connect them as you disconnect them so that you know you’re getting the correct wires.

Here is Glenn connecting the ground wire (the copper wire, screwed down with the green screw).  That is very important!

And that’s it!  Now he’s screwing the housing back onto the mounting plate.

It works!  Yay!

As a general interior design rule, a pendant hanging over a dining room table should hang at least 30″ above the top of the table.  Our pendant came with a few different sized bases and we chose the one that hung the bottom of the shade 32″ from the top of our table – this thing is pretty massive!

Ta-da!!  I’m so glad to have that old one gone…I did a happy dance as I took it to the trash!

I even like it when it’s off. 

See, I told you it was massive!  Harper looks teeny underneath it!

Aawww…he installs my pendant and then cooks me dinner!  Thanks, honey!!

Now I can’t wait to finish the dining room!  On my list:  1). A slipcover for the loveseat that is at the table.  We were going to sell that loveseat, but had no luck.  After I was sick of it in Harper’s room I had Glenn help me move it to the dining room and I love it there!  It’s just ugly!  2).  Some kind of valance to cover the top of the sliding panel system that covers the sliding glass door.  3).  Some white shelving to replace the poster and candle sconces that are above the loveseat.  The black is too harsh in the kitchen – it needs to go back to the living room by the pool table.  I think I’ll actually try to keep a corner of my house light and airy instead of dark and dramatic!  4).  After I get my shelves, I’ll need some knick-knacks and candles, photos, etc. for the shelves.  Like the lovely Pottery Barn photo.  Ahhhhhhh….

 Raise your hand if you got that joke. Anyone?? Okay, the secret is out. I love slapstick comedy. I can quote tons of stupid movies. We quote them ALL THE TIME! But at least Glenn and I can laugh about it together. And I use the smiley face icon wwwwaaayyy too much! See:
I’d like to make a post about my love of table lamps. I am so excited to see who won the Shade Shop table lamp giveaway from This Young House!! I entered, did you?? And did I mention that I also love floor lamps, and pendant lamps, and wall sconces. But this post is specifically to round up a few of my fav’s. I simply went to all of the good ol’ stand by retail stores, and picked my favorites. Do you see a theme (besides the fact that I’m CHEAP!)? I’m not sure if I do – except for the fat-bottom shape, and square shades, but I’d love to hear from you and see what you think!!

mary-kateandashley Accent Lamp | Target $74.99

Dane Table Lamp CB2 $99.95

Sphere Table Lamp | West Elm $99.00

Auburn Base Table Lamp | Pottery Barn $149.99

Munich Table Lamp | Z Gallerie $99.95

Brushed Steel Finish Moderne Lamp | Shop Table Lamps $69.99

Phoebe Table Lamp | Crate and Barrel $149.00

LJUSÅS YSBY | IKEA $79.99

And we got these puppies at Wal-Mart of all places!  Glenn chose the black shades…I was being indecisive.  Thanks, honey!  Great choice!