Switching Out a Light Fixture ~ West Elm Style
November 13, 2011 by Aimee • 36 Comments
Here’s a Sketch of our Kitchen Projects Round One
First Thing Removed: Drapes and Cornice Board
Switch Light Fixture to Something I LOVE…
Thank you, West Elm for the inspiration!
We found a similar one at CB2 for a total deal!
At our last house, we adapted a pendant light and then added a drum shade to attempt to make our own imitation of West Elm. It looked good, but not great! The perfect dimension for the drum shade was hard to find and so we went with close. The West Elm Pendant Light needs to be converted to a ceiling fixture because it comes with an outlet plug. Converting this wire to a ceiling light is pretty simple. CB2 even has free shipping right now!
We ordered a Hampton Bay Fast Attach which comes in a nickel finish from Home Depot. The offer free shipping to store with this product. When they both arrived, my electrician (aka, my hubby) took down the old light fixture (we donated it to Restore). Then we decided on how low we wanted the light to hang above our kitchen table. We decided to have the bottom of the drum shade 32″ above the table. Based on where we wanted it, a large portion of the electrical wire needed to be cut off. Look at the picture below and you’ll see what I mean!
Once you’ve removed some of the excess wire, but left enough to hang at your desired height above your table AND some surplus for connecting the wire to the ceiling wires, it’s ready to be installed.
First things first…TURN OFF SOURCE POWER. Take your this wire that once was attached to the plug and notice how there are two wires, each covered with plastic and slightly fused together. Separate these two wires. Once you get the first part started it is almost like they are perforated because they separate so easily. You will find a wire under each plastic coating. Take off about a half an inch of the plastic coating to expose each wire. In the ceiling you’ll see two matching wires. Join the black wire with the pendant wire that has a black stripe AND join the white wire with the white pendant wire. Twist the matching wire ends together and then screw on a wire nut onto each set. Join the ceiling copper wire with the pendant copper wire and twist so that your fixture is grounded.
Turn the power back on, put a light bulb into the fixture and turn on the switch to make sure the wires are properly connected. Turn the power back off and finish attaching the fixture to the ceiling according to the package directions (in our non-expert verbiage, shove the wires into the attic, pull the canopy up to the ceiling and tighten the screw until it is tight and secure). Approximate time: 25 minutes.
Perfect!
Thanks for the follow! If your friend has any gluten free questions I would be happy to help.
Love the new light fixtures!
http://kidsaregrown.blogspot.com/
Love all those signs of progress! Nothing like the feeling of ripping out a wall! Been there…several times.
Those floors look amazing! I want hardwood floors in my kitchen, I also love the new light fixture!
Oh your so FUNNY!!! I would LOVE to visit with you and Be Blogging Buddies…
thanks for stopping by and I am following you back..:)
Love your remodel! The floors look amazing!
Super Lovely Place you have here!
A Pleasure Following back!!
xoxo!
Keren
Super Lovely Place you have here!
A Pleasure Following back!!
xoxo!
Keren
Super Lovely Place you have here!
A Pleasure Following back!!
xoxo!
Keren
Super Lovely Place you have here!
A Pleasure Following back!!
xoxo!
Keren
That light fixture is amazing! Newest follower here – feel free to follow back if you’d like.
Hi Aimee…thanks so much for visiting so I could find you! Loving the look of your new kitchen! Can’t wait to catch up with you a bit more!
Aimee it looks amazing!!
Also, I totally thought I was already following but wasn’t! I have remedied that now
xo
Oh, it looks perfect. I love West Elm!
I love lamps but have an irrational fear of electric. So my hubby would be the one taking care of it too. Your kitchen makeover is looking gorgeous, will definitely have to look around some more. New follower and Thanks for sharing at Sunday’s Best =)
Great job!!!
It looks good! Those floors are beautiful! I’m in the middle of a kitchen update myself! Stop by and take a look, I’d love your feedback! i also have a $50 West Elm giftcard giveaway going on right now! Make sure you join!
Jean
http://flowerhilldesigncompany.blogspot.com/2011/11/50-west-elm-holiday-giftcard-giveaway.html
It’s like looking in a mirror …. me blogging while my other half does the diy for me to blog about
light fitting looks fab, and so do those wooden floors, great job 
Your kitchen is looking AMAZING!!
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
Awesome job! I love the light fixture! I looked for one like that last year for a decent price…EVERYWHERE!
–Katie
http://www.blah2beautiful.blogspot.com
Creatively Living Outside the Box
Great job! Love that you were able to mimic a more expensive one without breaking the bank!
Your progress is amazing. I really light the light fixtures, but then again the floors, then again everything else. A really great job!
Thanks so much for sharing at Sunday’s Best. Come back this Sunday
Looks great! You kitchen is coming along
Love the floors!
Love, love, love it. I have CB2 on a bookmark so I can find it to purchase when we move in.
Thanks!
Melissa
Love your fixture…I found a $10…wooo hoooo! I’m a new follower, so stop by and see me and follow if you like.
Warm wishes, Lori @ bleak2unique.com
I need a new light over our kitchen table, and I’m thinking this is a perfect solution. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Shelley
http://www.westermanfam.blogspot.com
I love the light redo. I am in the process of trying to update our ugly, brass, standard-everyone-must-have-had-one chandelier in our dining roomn. Just trying to convince dh that painting it is a good idea.
Sara, Maybe if you show this to your sweet hubby he’ll be more interested!
Maybe!?!?
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2011/10/chandelier-makeover.html
Happy Thanksgiving Sara!!!
It looks so great!! Your place is adorable! I wish I could get my hubby to change out a light fixture. I would love for you to share this at Totally Inspired Tuesdays at The Inspired Collection!
Kelli
http://www.theinspiredcollection.blogspot.com
Lovely!! Amazing what a difference an updated fixture/shade can do.
Visiting from TTJ!
Lovely!! Amazing what a difference an updated fixture/shade can do.
Visiting from TTJ!
Lovely!! Amazing what a difference an updated fixture/shade can do.
Visiting from TTJ!
Looking good so far! Love the drum shade – so pretty and classic. Visiting from Skip to My Lou.
-Jill
You are so handy! I LOVE your new light fixtures! Thank you for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday!
The kitchen light definitely changed the mood of your kitchen. Congratulations.
bespoke kitchens suffolk
Timmy.Norris
Thanks so much Miss Kitchen EXPERT for your sweet note! I can’t hardly stand it those kitchens in your link are BEAUTIFUL!!!
Aimee from Itsoverflowing
Good job on the DIY renovation in your kitchen.
new york kitchen and bath