Ceiling Fans That Don't Look Like Ceiling Fans

If you watch design shows, you have probably heard all the designer negativity on ceiling fans.  I for one love having a ceiling fan in my bedroom.  I know it isn't as romantic as a beautiful hanging chandelier but it keeps me comfortable while I sleep.  Even during the winter months I run my fan to keep the air moving.

The designer in me knew it was wrong but now I don't have to choose.  Today while browsing the lighting department at Lowes I came across two great ceiling fans that don't look like ceiling fans.  Both were manufactured by Harbor Breeze.

The first which could fit into either a traditional or modern space is the 23" Eastview Ceiling Fan below. 

Lowes offers this fan by special order for $229.  It has a decorative leaf pattern in an aged bronze finish, a 3 speed motor, a 4.5" downrod mount, and comes with a remote control.

On Lowes.com it had a 4 star rating.  Main negative being that it didn't provide sufficient lighting to be the only light source in the room.   Not a problem since you always want to have more than one source of light anyway.  You need ambient as well as task lighting (ie., table lamps).  

For those with a more modern aesthetic the fan below might be a better fit.

 

The 28" Dexter Ceiling Fan above is also from Lowes.  It has a contemporary wooden and brushed nickel finish.  It can also be special ordered and is $299.  It has a 3 speed motor, 4.5" downrod mount and is remote controlled.  On Lowes.com it has a 5 star rating.  The reviews note that it provides good lighting and a strong air flow.

As soon as my current ceiling fan bites the dust, and it probably won't be long as  it has started to whine, I will be all over one of these.  

No Sew Pillows and Valances

You don't have to know how to sew to make your own soft goods for your home.  I do it all the time.  I found a product called Peel n Stick Fabric Fuse at my local craft store.  It is a permanent adhesive that comes in a roll.  You lay the sticky side face down onto the fabric and then you peal the tape to reveal another sticky side to adhere the other fabric end to.

I needed two pillows for my couch.  I had a couple of older pillows that had some pulls from my cat.  I figured they would make great inserts for some new pillows.  I found fabric quilting squares for only .97 cents each at Walmart that were just the right size to cover one side of a pillow.  In order to fuse two squares together I laid the fabric right side down, folded about a one inch seam all around and fused the fabric together on three sides with the tape.  I then inserted the pillow and closed up the top using the fabric tape in the same way.  To embellish the pillows further I hot glued trim along the seams.  They look great.  Not sure how they will hold up in the wash but by then I will probably be ready for a change anyway. 

I also tried my hand at some valances for my kitchen windows.  I found some pretty print sheets at the thrift store and cut them to the appropriate size to fit my windows.  I then used the fusable tape to make a finished seam all around and a pocket for the rod at the top.  I found the look too shear so I took a coordinating solid sheet and backed the reverse side of the valance with that.

For a few bucks in fabric fuse tape and some fabric you may already have around the house you can do the same.  If I can do it, anyone can.

Columbus Day Weekend Projects

I couldn't have taken off four better days weather wise.  I had big plans and many projects I intended to complete.  Saturday I did my usual yard sale shopping.  I don't know what I am going to do with myself when winter arrives and the yard sales go the way of the dinosaur at least temporarily.

A year ago I purchased a primitive style desk covered in many layers of paint at a yard sale.  I paid $5 for it.   With all of my other obligations it has sat in my garage since then.   This weekend I took it out and set my mind to completing its transformation.  I used paint stripper to take off what I could.  Then I sanded it down with my electric sander and course grit paper.  I spray painted it cream and added some nice deco style silver knobs to the drawer.  What a feeling of satisfaction.  To shed light on the situation I hung up a 1960's wicker swag lamp.

Moving my new gem to its spot in the corner of the Master Bedroom meant making space for it.  It gave me incentive to do much more.  I also moved in from the garage a mid century modern stand I bought at the Thrift Store a while back.  It too was only $5.  It needed just a bit of a wipe down and I added two storage baskets to the bottom shelf.   I made a wall unit out of it by combining it with a bookshelf I had found on one of my Auction House excursions.  I don't remember what I paid for it but I am sure it was cheap.  Above the wall unit hangs another yard sale find.  It is a Maio City Scene I found for $2.  To update it I painted the frame a nice glossy black.

 
At the far corner of the room sits my $12 recovered Estate Sale chair, $5 Thrift Store ottoman and $5 Flea Market floor lamp.  I can't wait to curl up in my new reading corner with a good book and a cup of coffee.  Maybe next time I take a few days off I will get to enjoy that pleasure.

 

A Mirror for Mom

This past weekend I made a trip to Connecticut to visit family.  Mom and Dad will be heading to Florida for the winter months the beginning of next month and Mom's birthday is the end of November. 

I have always enjoyed making things.  When I was a teen I used a shallow wooden crate that previously held mail order fruit to make a wall hanging for my Mom.  I painted it blue, framed it in silk flowers and glued vintage porcelain doll house bath fixtures inside like a shadowbox.  It still hangs in her bathroom to this day.

Since my Mom obviously appreciates my handiwork I decided to make her something special for her birthday this year.  In order to see her reaction and avoid shipping charges and possible breakage, I decided I would present it to her this trip.

I purchased a large chunky plain mirror for $4.99 at my local Salvation Army Thrift Store (my favorite haunt by the way).  My intent was to dress it up.  Using leftover sheets of glass mosaic tile from my bathroom back splash project I did just that.  I cut the mesh between four rows of tiles and adhered them to the mirror with white tile adhesive.  To avoid having to cut the tile to fit the miters I left the four corners uncovered.  Once dry I grouted each section with unsanded grout so as not to scratch the glass.

I think the finished product looks like something you could easily spend $100 or more on.  More importantly Mom loved it.  She hung it up in her foyer before I even left for home. 

Before

After