The Kitchen Nook’s Big Lighting Secret

This time last year, I was knee-deep in a kitchen nook refresh.

It took the entire month of April….and then some.   When all was said and done, a total of seven different DIY projects, that included building, painting, sewing, furniture refinishing, and lighting, were posted.  Oh yes, there truly was something for everyone.

Just in case you are new to these parts and haven’t seen the ugly “before”……brace yourself….because this outdated space surely did put the “home” in homely.

It all started here, in this cramped little nook just off to the side of the kitchen. I don’t think there was one square inch of space that wasn’t long overdue for a redo.

But now, it’s all brand spanking new….right down to the weather-stripping on the windows.  🙂

Yea…I’m completely stoked about the weather stripping!  *Energy Savings*

And, all of the work was totally completed by Yours Truly.  *Taking a Bow…..and Smiling*  🙂

BOARD AND BATTEN

First, the bay window walls received a no-miter, no-nail board and batten.  That’s right.  I simply cut the pieces with a $10 box saw and glued them to the wall.

Link to the full tutorial here.

CUSTOM DRAPERIES FROM READY-MADE PANELS

Then I made floor-length draperies from panels that were purchased at Target.  To make it super-easy….. sew, semi-sew, and no-sew versions are explained in the tutorial.

Link to the full tutorial here.

REFINISHED FURNITURE INSTALLED AS A CABINET

After the draperies were hung, an old TV cabinet was divided half, refinished, and installed as a kitchen cabinet.

How to refinish the TV cabinet link to the full tutorial here.

TIPS FOR INSTALLING FURNITURE AS CABINETS

This post is not specifically about the kitchen nook, but is helpful should you like to install furniture as a cabinet anywhere in the kitchen.

10 Tips for Installing Furniture as a Kitchen Cabinet link to the full tutorial here.

OPEN SHELVING IS CUSTOM-SIZED

After a few months of looking for the perfect kind of open shelving to install over the blue chest, I finally gave up and built a unit to fit the space.

Link to the full tutorial here.

THRIFTED LIGHT SCONCES 

Whew!  Here we are!  Finally…..to the lights.  First, fixtures that had been used as outdoor porch lights were brought indoors.

Now that the nook is complete, I can admit that I’m glad I was working on a budget; otherwise, I might have missed this fun little lighting updo.

What happened?

First, let me explain why almost all traditional lighting options were abandoned.  Yep, all of them.  Dimmer switches, sconces, and overhead chandeliers.  Only a canned light was left in the overhead ceiling.  

Why?

I did this for two reasons:  (1)  Budget – Buying light fixtures and having them installed is a total budget buster.  And, (2)  this area needed to be opened up to make it look bigger and brighter.   Having light fixtures would have stolen the overhead visual space.  Boo!

Soooooo, to give the impression of traditional lighting, but without the cost or loss of visual space, I installed these reclaimed fixtures on both sides of the bay.

They were leftovers from an outdoors redo and had been collecting dust in the garage for many, many years.  The fact that they were the perfect size and color was totally amazing!

So, I scrubbed off the dirt, taped the wires into the fixture, and screwed the fixture into the wall……just like it was a picture or any other accessory. If I ever want these little beauties hardwired, all I have to do is call an electrician to come on over and hook’em up. Easy peasy.

THE $10 SPECIAL

In the meantime, to illuminate the space and create visual interest in the evening, I bought two packages of battery-operated LED lights.

 

Each package contains three lights. They are small, lightweight, and give off a boatload of light. Simply install the batteries and push the center to activate the light. It looks just like a lighted hockey puck.  I kid you not.

For the eat-in area, two lights were placed on the right and left window sills at midlevel.  These were pointing up. Then, one light was attached under the table…..pointing down.

Honestly, I’ve had these lights all over the area……under the chairs, inside the glass vase, on the floor, on the ceiling pointing down…..and with every change, the room looks totally different.

I have to say that am really looking forward to the next dinner party.  I may put the food on risers and pop some of these lights underneath.  And….don’t get me started on the holidays. Yea, these lights are just that much fun.

So now that I’ve spilled my big little lighting secret, it’s your turn.  Where would you use these little lights?

You know I’d just loooove a note about your ideas in the comment section (below).. 🙂

And, of course, pins for your friends…..  

As always, thanks so much for stopping by.  It is such a joy to share projects with you.