So, I've pretty much decided to put my house on the market this spring which is only fun since it means I now have to finish all that I started and that is going to be a rush probably to do.
There is one thing that dawned on me that I could use some help with. I have antique lights which I am not leaving with the house. They are too hard to find, too valuable, and I love them too much for that. That leaves me needing 3 new lights. The problem is the way this place is laid out there is one in my office/former 'dining room' which is a room separated from the LR by french doors. There is one in half the LR in what can also be a 'dining area'. My debate with myself is what to do since as I have it arranged I could put a hanging light in the dining area but that screws things up if someone thinks the office area is the dining area. If I hang a hanging one in the office, I'll be whapping my head as it's right in the center of the room. I also need a light in my entry which can't hang very far or the door will hit it. I'd like the 3 to have something in common since they can all pretty much be seen at the same time.
Now there were boob lights here originally and those were taken away because I hate boob lights. I don't want to put up boob lights again either.
The other lights I'm considering are some tacky sconces I have but I'd require some that can be switched on and off since they aren't wired into a wall switch.
Has anyone seen anything out there that would work and be reasonably priced? I'd like to keep the look going with the 1930's in some respect, either more mission/craftsman style or the 1930's modern look.
Here's one of the original pictures of the LR. YOu can see the one boob light in the 'dining area' and ugly sconce.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| realtor-LRfix.jpg | 41.76 KB |
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
No. Call me dragging my feet. I really do hate the thing (it holds some not so pleasant memories) so it's not calling me to action at all even if it would save me some shopping and money. I probably need an attitude adjustment.
DBD - did you ever find the crystal one. If it is like the picture you drew I think it would be the nicest of all. It is unique and might catch the eye of the buyers.
I don't mind those lights, they'd do fine. Before you buy though, check out HomeDepot. The locations in our city have lots of lighting on clearance right now. Maybe you'll find something similar for even less money.
Good luck with selling!!
I would say, don't go to the extra expense of replacing the light fixture. The new buyers don't really care, as they replace all the fixtures anyway. Just put in something moderately ok and cheap.
Itsjustme, I need to replace as I am taking out the antique lights I installed. they are just too nice and valuable to me to leave to someone who may think "who'd want those old things" ( which is exactly how I got them... I love people who are happy to give me their cast offs like that). Besides they are next to impossible to replace especially given I have 3 matching.
Well I may just go back and check those lights out again. Given the price I don't know I can do much better. In person they do look like pretty good quality for the price (although that may be my Costco bias kicking in).
As someone who is selling and has been looking at many houses to buy lately, lol
I would say, don't go to the extra expense of replacing the light fixture. The new buyers don't really care, as they replace all the fixtures anyway. Just put in something moderately ok and cheap.
OMG......you're selling????????? I remember when you bought this house. Good luck to you.
Thumbs up here.
i really like that hanging light, i think they would work perfectly DBD
smiles
janetc
i think it's a good choice!
Okay I was at Costco today and they had a chandelier and semi-flush set that might work. I wish I had a picture but I found something that seems similar (if my memory is working properly but I make no guarantee there). Anyway, I am wondering if something like this would be good for selling. neither would be what I personally would want, but then this is for selling. Meanwhile, I don't want to put in something that will be seen as something needing replacement by a buyer either. Price is good and I could get the chandelier and 2 semi-flush (for office and entry) for under $175. For the price, they actually look fairly decent to me (which may not be saying much since I haven't done a lot of shopping lately but no way I am spending $300 for a chandelier like I did with the last two houses I sold).
The semi-flush picture is actually pretty close to what the style and finish/colour is like. I doctored a chandelier I found that was similar. I guess what I am thinking is they have a look that could be good with old house feel while still looking a bit more contemporary but since I'm not feeling 'yes' right off the bat I could use some feedback.
What do you think?
BTW they had a huge vintage looking wall clock I just loved. $90, about 26" across. It has a pendulum action too although the box didn't show if that hung down far or how it looked.
Yes I have to get the lamp out and see what the top is like (to see how a shade would fit on it) and check out stores to see what shades are available. I imagine it would be specialty stores that carry those shades separately. I can't really see a market for them in stores like Winners or HD and such since they usually sell chandeliers with drums as a unit.
Checking out a lighting store may be an option. I had a lamp shade made to update my husband's grandmother's lamps and the drum shade only cost me $60. I was willing to pay more since the lamps were free. I guess my point is, I always assumed that going to a lighting store would equal much more money but it didn't. I got the drum shade at Richardson's Lighting. I am pretty sure it is not a chain store and only available here but you could google it and check it out.
I've looked at the drum shades that fit over chandeliers at Homesense and they aren't like a regular lampshades that fit on a lamp with a harp and finial at the end so you might need to figure out how to keep the drum shade in place on your existing lamp. Also, the shades that fit over the chandeliers are made out of a sheer fabric so you can see through it when the light is on. I haven't seen any like this sold seperately, not to say they don't exist but it might be a challenge to find something that works. I don't see anything wrong with the crystal chandelier as it is. But try and find it and see what it looks like, you could always sell it on Kijiji too.
Sounds like exactly what the stager had noted. Basically not up for any major work and want move in ready. That is a bit different than a couple of years ago when there were more speculators and more buyers than houses. There really are a lot of bad flips out there with the folks who were jumping in for the past two years and just following who knows what ideas. They either did everything on the cheap or went too high end IMo. Either way the way the trades were operating, no guarantee the work is even done right either way.
I think this time I will finish the projects I've started (kitchen, bathroom for instance) and call her in for choosing the paint and the rest of it. One thing is for sure, this house will be looking a lot better than when I took it over because it was a heap in a lot of respects then.
DBD my DS#1 and DIL are looking right now for a house and that is exactly what theya re saying last year they were looking at houses that needed work this year it better be move in ready and not a thing to do. They have looked at a couple of flips and have not bought because the work looked poorly done and to much of a facelift. They want a good paint job good flooring and good bones that they don't need to start rippingout bathrooms and kitchens.
Yes finding the right drum shade at the a good price could be an issue. At least these days drum shades are around. I have used one on my floor lamp forever and there were times they just weren't to be found at all anywhere so I had to either recover the frame I had or doctor it up somehow until they finally brought them out again a couple of years ago.
I guess I should go hunt that crystal lamp down and put it together to see what it really is like instead of going by memory. No small feat given the number of crystals on the thing. The are a few dozen of the hangie parts alone.
The stager I used before just sent me an article that stressed it no longer works to have 'make do' stuff when staging and to eliminate things which buyers will walk through and count as 'needing replacement/fixing'. Apparently they did a test with two similar houses in the same neighbourhood to see what buyers in this market were thinking. both were clean etc. but one had been staged properly and had things like fresh paint, updated fixtures, etc. and sold much faster and for $15,000 more than the other so buyers are getting to be more picky. My one bonus is the neighbourhood I'm in but I'm still thinking I may have to really make sure to not cut corners this time at all.
Drum shade over drum of crystals is in the stores, so something to consider, I think. The catch is that an appropriately sized and shaped shade might run as much as a new light! I almost bought the one in the second picture for my dining room.
Actually, DBD... this was what I was thinking you should do.
While I know we only saw your illustrated version of the crystal chandelier, my immediate thought was that it was to "glam" for your little house... however with a drum shade over the chandelier it would become totally contemporary, a style I feel your bungalow could carry.
Just my opinion...
DBD..regarding changing the shades, do you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore nearby...they may be a good source to get what you need without spending a bunch.
I also had the thought of putting a drum shade over the crystals, but wondering about a drum shade over "drum shaped' crystals...but wouldn't hurt to try it out & see how it looks.
actually I had the same thought yesterday. I headed over to HD just to see what was available and they had the 5 light like the one I have and it dawned on me that with different shades it would look quite different. They didn't have any variety of shades there as it is a smaller store but it might be an option. I was actually surprised to see they were still around. I may keep that as a fall back position.
I may dig up the crystal one (in some box in the basement, exact location unknown) and put it together and see how it looks. I'm even thinking it might work in the entry as it will clear the door if I shorten the chain and it does cast nice little prism light all over which would be okay in that little space. Besides it would be a good way to get it out of the box and out of my hair for good. If people are going to change the light anyway, may as well use what I have (and it is real crystal which someone might appreciate) vs just a cheap boob light (like was in here when I bought the house).
I saw the one cherylallismom posted (with the drum shade) and it's really nice. The trick would be the chrome colour given what else is around here. Kitchen has a period strange but somehow appropriate chrome and glass fixture as does the bathroom, but everything else is patinaed (sp?) original brass, so a dark metal.
Okay, this may be grasping at straws again...just thinking.. what if I bought a drum shade I could drop over that little crystal chandelier? They do that with other chandeliers. Have I had too much sugar, not enough sleep, cut it out right now?
the last one looks a bit outdated, but if you'll paint it and change shades it may work. i saw on HD-website the light fixture that i think would work in your room. maybe HD sells the shades separetly?
Anyway, I did a mock up of sorts (mine are antiqued bronze). the ones I have are open on the bottom. What do you think? They have chains so can be adjusted but I think the longest chain is only about 15" long with two about 10". I know they can hang high enough to not hit heads as I had them in the new house I had that way.
Do you think they would be okay?
I think those would be quite acceptable. I also like your crystal light very much. I have been seeing shades at Homesense that are quite narrower than we have been used to seeing so maybe this look is coming back in style?
If your rendering of the crystal one is fairly accurate, I'd go with that. A bit of bling but not too large. You can tell the agent that it is real crystals and he/she can pass that on to the clients. Sounds good.
The first one may be ok, the third with 5 lights - no.
Oh dear. Does that Intervention show do light fixture compulsions? We may need to look into that. I can't attach pics at work (shhh don't tell anyone I'm at work but not working). But taking a quick look at the CTC website (sort the chandeliers by price low to high) I think Ravello, Isadora and Cambridge would all go with that other fixture. They run up to $120, but CTC has stuff on sale every week. Going to HD and sorting the chandeliers by price again, the very first one is only $39! The Progress Lighting New Traditions is $75 and a Hampton Bay 5 light in antique brass for $99. All of these would go with the antiquey feel of the hanging lights you have described/mocked up for the adjoining room and also with what I take to be the character of your house. Also, I know HD and Rona have a lot of stuff in store that isn't on the sites, and I've bought several nice fixtures there for between $50 and $125. I can't see your pictures (another work thing) but I can imagine what you mean by both. I wouldn't advise installing anything that looks dated or screams cheapy. When we're selling we're always trying to impress people!
So what sort of chandelier do you see working (that doesn't cost oodles)?
You know thinking of all that's in the basement and garage, I have a crystal one that came from the last house (I am seeing a pattern here with me and lights that may not be a good thing...I either need the junk men or a garage sale with all the lights and lamps I have. maybe an intervention is in order.). personally I think it's dated. I don't have a picture but it's about 14" across, has a flat cyrstaltop from which the crystals fall around the outside in little rows (kind of crystal drum shade effect I guess). I guess it would be about 8" from top to bottom So it's small and kind of wierd considering styles that are around now. I think my mom got in the late 70's.
I just did a drawing of what it is like to try and give you an idea. It is small as DR lights go but since this place is small maybe it would be okay...I don't know. I pulled it down in the last house because I didn't like it but it is real crystal and it really doesn't matter what I like for this exercise.
Then there is another I have around.. gads the more I think about this the more I do need an intervention. It's a cheap 5 light that looks like this picture although mine is dark green (could be painted black maybe?). I also have 3 ceiling fan/lights in the basement but I think those are out of the question entirely.
I think they are a good solution for the LR and office, but I'm going to stick to my guns on needing a simple chandelier for the DR. Think of it as staging. Doesn't matter if its not technically to someone's taste, what matters is that its neutral, looks polished, and says "I'm done!". In this economy it won't get you more money for your house probably, but it will get you a quicker and easier sale. These days, if you want to get maximum dollar on resale "good enough" just isn't! There are 3 houses for sale within 3 blocks of me that have been on the market since last spring, with price reductions on all. Having been through all three, I can tell the owners didn't want to bother "spending" on this or that because after all it was "good enough" if you were just selling anyway. At the closest one to me, the [I]realtor herself[/I] has now been there for about 2 weeks trying to make it better than "good enough" to get the darn thing sold!
Well the DR is what I meant actually when I said LR. So the two in the big area are the same.. .knowing the Dr would be a bit high unless I can find more chain (which I could from the broken one) and more wire (rewiring is not something I really want to do unless the connections to the bulb are pretty straight forward... I'll have to look). They aren't actually what I consider to be boob lights, more like upside down bowls, sort of school house look but not quite DR material, but maybe good enough to use to sell? (or am I grasping at straws here?)
Seems a good option for the LR and office, and then spring for a simple chandelier that complements them for the DR. A very good solution. (Upside down boob light on a string? ;))
Okay, sometimes my brain actually seems to work and I just remembered I have a box of lights I pulled from another house. I have 3 although if memory works again, I think the movers broke one of the shades, which means I have two (enough to do the LR and office). I'll have to check the box in the garage and see if they have survived the cold the past couple of years.
Anyway, I did a mock up of sorts (mine are antiqued bronze). the ones I have are open on the bottom. What do you think? They have chains so can be adjusted but I think the longest chain is only about 15" long with two about 10". I know they can hang high enough to not hit heads as I had them in the new house I had that way.
Do you think they would be okay?
I haven't actually decided what I will do but Calgary is just getting too expensive in general and I am really tired of no/late springs. This is not the best time to sell for sure but I will make what I paid with no problem and I just can't see staying here longer really. I'd like to go into BC because I don't see the season type issue being any different anywhere in AB (actually Calgary probably has the best weather in the prov. with the Chinooks). I have to check prices and what the possibilities are for earning income as well as what house prices are like first (stupid new MLS site has not been helping but at least now I can check the old site). I'm open to ideas. Thinking Nelson is nice, maybe somewhere on the coast (but seems like it's pricey there)?