Schoolhouse Kitchen Lighting Fixture

I am sharing a little bling with you today…. I am still waiting on the microwave cabinet to get completed in my kitchen and then I will share all the before and afters of my kitchen makeover with you in one big before and after post. Hopefully this will get done soon, in the meantime I have one other update to share with you and that is about the schoolhouse kitchen lighting fixture I chose for over the sink.

DIY Kitchen makeover using a schoolhouse kitchen lighting fixture

For me, light fixtures are like adding jewelry to a house. Some like lots of bling, other may not. I prefer simple and classic bling that stands the test of time.  I am a pearl drop or diamond stud kind of girl and when choosing the light fixture I didn’t steer to far from a classic.

schoolhouse kitchen light fixture

You may remember I posted about a few of the kitchen light fixtures I liked in this post.  I liked all of them, but some where too small, another was too big so I did more searching and found a schoolhouse style light that was just right.

schoolhouse kitchen lighting fixture

Edison 1 Light Semi Flush Mount – Polished Nickel – 100 watts

Of course it was the most expensive of all the fixtures I looked at, but now that it is up, I am OK with spending a little more to get the look and amount of light in the way of wattage I was looking for.

Schoolhouse light fixture that is affordable

Semi-Flush Schoolhouse Light – Polished Nickel – 100 watts

I did keep one of the fixtures I considered. It is a slightly smaller schoolhouse fixture that I decided to use it in the hallway of darkness…now blueness. :-)

So many of the less expensive fixtures could only accommodate a 60 watt bulb. :-( I needed it to have 100 watts.  Another problem I ran into was the globes on some of the fixtures were just too big in diameter and hit the window wall.

schoolhouse kitchen lighting fixture in DIY kitchen makeover

When I was first deciding how I wanted to transform the kitchen, I knew it was going to be white so I could add lots of color pops around, but I also envisioned using slightly different light fixtures around the space. The ceiling fans have schoolhouse style globes so I was thinking I was going to use something different, until…

…one night when I was watching The Flower Shop Mysteries starring Brooke Shields on the Hallmark Channel that I decided to go with all schoolhouse globes after seeing the house the father in the movie lived in. I kept rewinding the scenes in the kitchen where all the lights were schoolhouse lights in an all-white kitchen with unadorned windows. :-)

schoolhouse kitchen lighting fixture called the Edison

Do you get decorating inspiration from movies you watch? I know I do and can give you a list of movies I have watched and then after seeing them, made over a room in my house to look like them. I think the movie house that had the biggest impact on my decorating was Something’s Gotta Give starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson.  The day after I saw that, I had my living room cleaned out and the white paint on the walls. :-)  

schoolhouse kitchen lighting fixture

I am very happy with how the kitchen turned out. Now I am looking forward to when I can open these windows and let the breeze blow in.

Remember I won a Vitamix?  It came and I have been using it every day. It is too tall to go under the cabinets, so I have it placed by the window for now.

DIY kitchen makeover on a budget

Now that the kitchen in pretty much done, I am having fun picking out a few more accessories for the counters. Stay tuned for the complete kitchen wrap-up post soon.

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44 Comments

  1. SARAH PORTER says:

    Hello Diane,
    You are very inspirational! Don’t think that any of your followers don’t understand how hard you work! I’m jealous of your new home on the water! What a treat! I am wondering how your countertops are holding up? Are you still pleased with them?
    Happy Spring!
    Sarah

  2. Sue Bauman says:

    I had to chuckle when I read of your Hallmark inspiration! I love the Victorian gingerbread gable headboard that the Lori Loughlin character in the Garage Sale Mystery series has in her master bedroom. I reversed the feed and took a photo of it so that I could remember to keep my eyes peeled for it! You never know when inspiration will strike! Your kitchen remodel has been an amazing process, the under-stairs closet, too! Seeing your posts is like a peek into an uber-creative world. I love visiting your site to see what you’re creating.

  3. PJ Fizzyknits says:

    Another inspiring, gorgeous project! I’ve always been a darker-the-better color person, but that kitchen just makes me want to spend days in there cooking up a storm! For my movie inspiration, ever since I saw Sleepless in Seattle, I have lamps in my kitchen. I love the look of the light glowing from the kitchen after dinner, or when I’m outside at dusk and looking in. I figured every other “living” room in the house has lamp(s) so why not the kitchen too? Thanks for your inspiration! Love reading your articles, devouring your photos! Love the Flower Shop Mysteries series, too!

  4. Charlotte Lindsay says:

    Your kitchen is coming together so nicely! I love when you find a piece that is just right for you! I love that the schoolhouse light compliments the shape of the ceiling fan in the kitchen. I am looking forward to seeing what kitchen home decor you choose!

  5. Funny that you mention movies as inspiration. When I was in college I’d watch soap operas, on mute, for their sets. One of my favorite dwellings from the big screen is the Florida condo from ‘In Her Shoes.’ It’s tropical perfection ,without being overdone. And who could forget both houses from ‘Under The Tuscan Sun?’ Of course the budgets are quite different from mine but, hey, isn’t that what ‘inspiration’ is? Love your execution, as always: classic, easy, timeless.

  6. BettyBaker says:

    Absolutely stunning.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Betty :-)

  7. Your kitchen is darling! I also get ideas from shows and movies, and just yesterday I saw the first episode of Big Little Lies (I don’t have HBO and just watched the first episode freebie on my ipad so it will be my only episode :) and Reese Witherspoon’s character’s kitchen gave me great ideas for the backsplash and pendant lights!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Jennifer – I love getting to see the 3D aspect of the homes on shows and movies. You you don’t get to see that in a magazine photo. I don’t get HBO, but have seen a few promos on the morning news for the Big Little Lies.

  8. Linda Weeks says:

    what impeccable taste!
    my taste is usually somewhat peccable.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      You are funnnny Linda XO

  9. Lisa Ronan says:

    I am actually sitting here cracking up! I wish I would’ve gotten to know you before you moved because I’m convinced we would’ve been great friends! As I’m reading your post and you were writing movies that inspire… before I got to the next sentence As good as it gets appeared in my mind and there were the words! Too funny! I too love school house lighting and have 2 from Home Depot in my laundry room. Just simple and classic, you know like my diamond studs that I never bother to change haha!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Lisa – Where do you live? Classics are the best. I have worn the same earrings for years…they never go out of style.

      1. Lisa Ronan says:

        I’m next door neighbors with the Coughlins?

        1. Diane Henkler says:

          Hi Lisa – WOW! Small world :-) Did we meet at Julie’s HS graduation party?

          1. Lisa Ronan says:

            More than likely there and all the dance/prom picture gatherings:)

          2. Diane Henkler says:

            We will see Julie this summer, she and my youngest are best buds and they are planning a girls weekend at our house. When you next see the Coughlins tell them I said hello.

  10. Donna Dickey says:

    I love the transformation and light looks perfect.

  11. Laura at Duke manor farm says:

    Ha…Brooke shields inspiring your kitchen lighting. Looks amazing. Love that kitchen towel too!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Laura – Ya never know when inspiration will strike, right? :-) The towel is from JCP. It is from the French Bull line they used to sell. I am not sure if it they still sell it or not. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

  12. I just love everything about your kitchen.
    the floors are really interesting.
    I’ve seen herringbone, but never quite like what you have.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Kat – Thanks. The floor in the kitchen is also in the living room. It is kind of a long herringbone pattern, I think it is called a Swallowtail pattern. It is in good shape so I think the previous owners had it installed. When we got a new dishwasher you could see the original floor under the wood.

  13. What a transformation! Can’t wait to see the entire “before/after’ post even though I’ve been following you through the entire makeover.

    LOVE the light fixture. I too like things that ‘work’ and that fixture certainly does work in your beautiful kitchen. No muss, no extraneous bling. Just the right amount. :-) It works especiallly well with the ceiling fan’s light too!

    If people ever ask me “Do you think I should paint my dark kitchen cabinets?” I refer them to your kitchen. :) It’s a study in how paint (and lots of other really cool things) can completely transform a space without a total gut-job. Well done, Diane (and Ed too)!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Connie – It has taken a long time and I am happy that I am almost done the kitchen. It was worth the time and effort. Thanks so much for referring your friends to my posts. XO I will also tell Ed you said job well done. :-)

  14. Diane Your kitchen turned out absolutely gorgeous. Your DIY skills are beyond compare. You are much more than the average DIYer.
    That light is the cherry on the cake so to speak. Looks great. I have the scalloped edging and I think I am going to get rid of it one day because I love the look.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Dee – Thanks so much. I have been DIYing for so long that in a way it has become a way of life for me. When we looked at the house for the first time with the real estate agent and I saw the scalloped valance, I told Ed, that will be history if we buy this house. It took about a year, but it is finally gone.

  15. Looks beautiful! Will you give more details about removing the cornice over your cabinet?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Kay – Yes, I will be posting about how we removed the scalloped cornice above the sink. I will try to get it posted next week.

  16. Your kitchen is just amazing and so are you. You put all of us to shame with your DIY skills and your energy. With regard to the Vitamix, I’ve seen models that fit under the cabinet. I think they are the newer ones and that they changed because of complaints received about of the height of the glass container. You said you won yours – it may be that it was an older model that was a giveaway in the contest. Companies do that, you know. Regardless, I’m sure you’ll love it. I recall Rachael Ray saying on one of her TV shows that she uses hers constantly and had given 8 of her friends Vitamix as Christmas gifts. I know they’re $500-$600 each, so wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to gift friends something so nice????? In my dreams!!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Pat – It would be nice to be able to give a Vitamix to many friends… maybe someday or like you said…In my dreams. :-) I still can’t believe I won one. It is the newest model, so new that the smaller containers made for it are not yet out on the market. I have to wait until April when they should be ready. I hope it will be small enough so I can fit the mixer under one of the cabinets.

  17. Unchanged a pretty kitchen. It definitely looks perfect for you. Enjoy all the great changes.
    Smiles

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Nancy – Thanks. It sure is nice walking into the kitchen now, especially in the morning when the sun in shining in. Bright and light… a perfect way to start the day.

  18. Hi Diane,
    Your kitchen make-over looks fabulous! When you next post the kitchen before and after photos, would you please consider including what your expenses were for this remodel? I have a kitchen that looks very much like yours before your remodel, and my husband believes that it will cost us at least $20K to do a bare minimum remodel. We disagree on this point, so in the meantime, nothing gets done here. :-(
    Thank you for being so inspiring!!!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Peg – When I post the final post the Before/After I will include a list of everything we did and the exact cost. The biggest expense was the ovens. Then the dishwasher. The rest that I did ran about $1,500.

      1. Hi Diane,
        Thank you for including the cost breakdowns for your kitchen remodel when you post the final Before/After…it will help convince my husband that remodeling our funky old kitchen does not have to “break the bank”. Cheers to you and Ed on your great work!
        Peg

  19. Diane, our Vitamix fits under the cabinet. You might check out the website and see if there is a smaller container. Your kitchen is amazing. The makeover of the countertop is unbelievable!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Terry – Thanks – The painted counter truly made a HUGE difference in the kitchen. For the smaller container for the Vitamix… I am on an email list for when the smaller container for the model of Vitamix I have comes out on the market. It is the newest model and the accessories are not yet available. I think I read it will be sometime in April. I am hoping it will be short enough so the Vitamix will slide right under the cabinets.

  20. mary heicher says:

    really looks great!

  21. Love hearing where you got your inspiration. You are going to love your Vitamix. Mine is nearly ten years old and I use it at least once a day. Smoothies are my morning breakfast. Have a great day!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Kathy – I am loving the Vitamix. I use to make my morning smoothies using a NutraBullet. I was fine with this, until I had my first Vitamix smoothie. Totally smooth, no chunks left at all. I have also made soup. It was delish.

  22. Love the schoolhouse lights! and it really does look nice over your sink.
    I noticed the Vitamix right away…..I know you love it!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Sharon – It is an amazing machine. Loud but amazing. I love it.