Tutorials & Tips

Another item checked off my to do list. Our dining room light fixture wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t quite what we were looking for. So, I ordered this light fixture from CB2. The only problem? The fixture is meant to be plugged in to an outlet, not hardwired. That’s okay though, I have a handy hubby.

Here she is in the box:

Before we could install the fixture, we went to Lowe’s to buy a 2 in 1 ceiling plate. Because the light is meant to be plugged in, one was not included. Not to worry, we found one in a brushed nickel finish for $4.98. It is however a little more traditional than I was hoping for. Oh well.

We went home, ready to install. First, turn off your breaker. You can never be too safe!! Then Ben removed our old fixture.

He installed the new mounting hardware for the box cover and we measured the height (32 inches) from our table. Ben marked the cord and cable to know where to cut. He adjusted the cable to hang at the proper height and tightened the screws in place.

Then he cut the wiring, leaving 3 or 4 inches more than he needed. He stripped the ends and connected the proper wires to one another, securing with wire nuts.

I held the fixture while Ben hung the ceiling plate.

After about 10 minutes, we had a brand spankin’ new light fixture.

I think it’s great. What do you think?

Arranging a beautiful bookshelf seems like a simple task. Really, it can be difficult if you’re a perfectionist and organizer like I am. I would LOVE to organize my books so they are just pretty, like by color. But, the logical side of me says, “Amanda, that is SO impractical. You NEED to organize by subject.” Yes, I am a tad OCD.

Just before our second son, Ev, was born, we worked to finish our basement. What was I doing the day before Ev was born? Not packing for the hospital, but putting together my new office! FINALLY, after a year in the making, I had an office. I quickly threw my books on to the shelves. They looked okay, but they weren’t organized.

I needed a way to make them look good and be easy to find. So, here’s is the how-to for my newly designed system.

1. I took everything off the shelves.

2. I separated all of my books into different categories: Fiction, Classic Fiction, History, Science, Travel, Biography, True Crime (guilty pleasure), magazines, encyclopedias and random (books that don’t easily fit into my categories).

3. After grouping, I arranged the books in rainbow order. Red through purple first, then white, grey, black and brown. A group of red books is the beginning of a new group. Not exactly a science, but it works for me.

4. I placed the books on the shelves where they fit best. Then I filled in with accessories based on open spaces.

I have most books vertical, but put some horizontal and one showing its beautiful cover. (Thanks, Ash!) I had some open shelf space, so I put some empty magazine files in so I have room to grow. You’ll notice I also have storage boxes to hold some of my stationery shop, Customized Stationary, supplies.