Welcome back!
I hope you are enjoying this series!
Let’s recap the first two steps in creating “Old House” character and charm in your newer home…
Step 1: Add wood ceilings.
Step 2: Replace your builder’s grade doors with paneled doors.
And now to the next step!
Step 3:
Replace your builder’s grade
light fixtures with ones that
possess more character and
charm!
For instance, look at this beautiful kitchen! First of all, notice those fabulous wood ceilings. Okay, now look at the lights! I call those “school house” lights, although I am sure they have another name. They add so much charm to that kitchen, don’t ya think?!
But let’s be honest.
Unfortunately, many of us have these on our ceilings…
The dreaded “boob” light!
(Yep, look at it. You know I’m right.) 
Raise your hand if you have a “boob” light or two in your house. Come on, don’t be ashamed. Own it!
I have some of these lights in my home, but slowly and surely, I am going to change them out.
Now really, there is nothing horribly wrong with these lights, but they certainly do not possess much charm and character.
So I would like to declare 2012, “The Year of De-Boobing!”
Will you join me?
Now don’t go getting’ a screw driver today and start taking all your “boobs” down. Your husband will come home and think you’ve lost your mind, and he will not like me much either! He may want to keep the “boobs.” (I am so sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.)
Take your time de-boobing. Look around for the right light fixture to take its place before you start removing them.
Maybe you could score a cute light at a ReStore shop or thrift store.
I got this ugly brass light at my Habitat store for $3.00!
I cut the curly-que thingys off and spray painted it black for our previous laundry room.
It added sooo much character to our laundry room! (And so did that bead board ceiling!) 
So much more character than a “boob” light would have.
And it was only $3.00!!
Whenever you see a brass light at Goodwill or a yard sale, and you like the shape of it, REMEMBER it can be painted!!!
My friend, Melissa, from 320 Sycamore had this very dated light in her entry way.
She scored a $5.00 brass light off of Craigslist and painted it black. Here it is…
Doesn’t it look so much better than what she originally had?! And it looks an awful-lot like this one from Pottery Barn, doesn’t it?
But Melissa’s was only 5 bucks! BIG difference! You can check her post out HERE.
Lanterns are very “in” right now, and I am so glad. I think they are beautiful, especially in a kitchen.
They make a beautiful statement above a kitchen island or dining table.
Chandeliers are also reminiscent of the past and add a wealth of charm to a room.
These can get very expensive. I’ve been looking for an old one for a while now, but they have been out of my price range.
But I’m gonna keep on looking!
Pottery Barn has some beautiful chandeliers to choose from.
source
Look at the charm this old chandelier brings to the room…
Although chandeliers look great over a dining table, why not change out the “boob” light over your bed for a chandelier?
Or maybe over your bathtub?…
Unfortunately, I am not an expert in light fixtures that were used in older homes, but there are many companies out there that sell light fixtures from all different time periods and decorating styles. Just google, “antique lighting” and see what comes up.
Here are a few more pictures I found online of some of my favorite types of light fixtures.
So there you have it!
I want you to take a tour around your home today and see how much de-boobing you are going to need to do. Then start thinking about what type of light fixture would look better in the “boob’s” place.
Don’t go out and start buying a bunch of expensive light fixtures. Wait until they go on sale, or maybe you will find one at a thrift store that you can paint.
Be creative!
I would have to say that besides painting a room, changing the light fixtures can make the next biggest difference in the feel of a room.
Do you have some light fixtures in your home in need of some updating?
See ya tomorrow for the next step in adding “old house” character and charm to your home!
