My Big Buffet Project: Part One

I mentioned in a previous post that I was hoping to find a new project:  refinishing/refurbishing a buffet for my dining area.  I got it! (Thanks to a helpful friend with a truck and muscles!) 

I found this old dresser on Craigslist that was in need of love....and a bigtime makeover!  The owner had also purchased it in the hopes of turning it into a cool buffet, but she ran out of time.  As she stated in her listing: "my ambition is bigger than my time allows for".  Well, I think I am up for the challenge!  I am so excited! 

Here are a few more BEFORE pics:

The top....it was obviously used a lot.

As you can see, it needs quite a bit of TLC to make it decent for a dining room, but I think it has great bones and potential!  The details are cool and the storage is amazing!  It is a large piece and very heavy (solid wood).  It measures 77" X 20" X 32.5".

Love the detailing!

I can't decide which drawers to keep and which I want to maybe make into open shelving or plate racks or  ???  The possibilities are numerous.  I think I am going to have to make a Home Depot run in the morning so I can get started. 

More drawers!

I will take pictures and keep posting updates as the project goes along!

Who Knew? Recessed Converts to Pendant!!

I was so excited when I read Jen's post on her Tater Tots & Jello blog this morning.....all about her new DIY pendant lamps.  I know nothing about lighting and projects with electricity scare me a bit, so I was pleased to see that this solution required no electrician and no wiring!!

She, of course, made beautiful lampshades and added aluminum downrods (which I may do later).  But, I was just thrilled to find out that there are kits that allow you to convert a recessed light to a pendant!!  Who knew??  I was practically grabbing my car keys as I read her blog.

I did climb up on my kitchen cabinet and take a look at my lights before I left though.  ;^)  Turns out, I had what are called "eyeball" lights...which means that mine stick-out from the can.  I took one down and was concerned when I saw that the socket part was in the "eyeball" and did not appear to be able to be removed. 

Undaunted, I went to Lowe's anyway and found the kits.  Then, I found the very helpful and friendly Lighting Dept. manager.  He was able to show me a light just like mine and showed me how it actually contains a socket up inside the can....so my kit would work!  Yippee!

See where the wires are going? 
If you look closely, you can see the socket they are screwed into!

Cord wrapped around fixture.

Each kit is only $20!!  They have quite a few shades to choose from too.  I went with the Alabaster Glass ($6.98 each) to match the light above my kitchen table. 

The instructions tell you to make sure that the extra cord is out-of-the-way...I found that wrapping it loosely around the fixture really helped.

Tighten the cover plate to the ceiling....and you are done.  No more "can" lights!

Including the time it took to gather my tools, open the boxes, and take pictures, the two lights were up in 31 minutes! Not bad for an unplanned project, huh?

I love how they turned out and I think they added a little more elegance to my counter/pass-thru area!

Thanks Tater Tots & Jello for the inspiration!

My new lighting!