Saturday, March 3, 2012

Contests


I'm making progress on the wallpaper stripping project.  Hope to be done tomorrow so I can start putting it back together.  


I don't have central air conditioning so I thought it might be nice to have a ceiling fan in this bedroom to help move air around on sticky nights.  I think it actually makes things worse and I never use it so I've been looking for a new fixture.  The ceiling are really low, about 7'4", so it's got to be pretty tight to the ceiling.  Have you ever looked for flush mount fixtures?  


They're heinous!

Send me some links if you have any ideas.  Maybe we'll have a little contest.

And speaking of contests, I'd like to sincerely thank the person that nominated me for a Homie award on Apartment Therapy.  You're my BFF!  I ended up finishing in the Top 60 out of almost 500 blogs!  I'm totally honored that so many people voted for me.  Thank you!  I knew there was little chance I would end up in the top 5 when there are so many blogs, and career bloggers, with thousands of followers.  I would have asked for your support but I wanted to save the favor for something bigger...


...oh, say, like a "This Old House" contest.

Yes, I've entered my exterior renovation in this year's "This Old House" Reader Remodel contest under the Curb Appeal section.  I would love it if you would support me by going to my entry, sliding the meter up to 100, and clicking submit.  No need to register or anything!

I learned from Karin from Life, In Small Chunks, who entered last year, that it's a straight-up popularity contest.  She didn't win but her kitchen remodel did make the magazine.

It seems like you can vote as many times as you'd like, so if you have any free time and you're bored with another game of Angry Birds, head on over and vote a few more times.  If anyone could post this to FB and/or tweet this post, I'd greatly appreciate it.

And don't forget to send my those flush mount or semi-flush mount lighting ideas!  I'll post my favorites and we can vote on them.  I've got a beautiful ceiling fan for the winner.

59 comments:

  1. Voted! You should totally win, your house is perfect for the This Old House contest. I've been a subscriber to that magazine for years now and I love it when they feature houses with your sense of style.

    As for the flush mount lights, heinous is definitely the word. Who makes these?? And so many of them! They are all breasts with nipples. And ugly glass.

    The only ones I've found that are remotely acceptable are made by Schoolhouse Electric or Rejuvenation. My favorite shade is this schoolhouse one:
    http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/cu-4408-8-4cubl.html

    It's a great milk glass and it is proportional in its fixture (we replaced most of our bedroom lights with these), and it avoids the nipple look.

    But you have lower ceilings, so this one might not work.

    Here is a vanilla one from Restoration Hardware:
    http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1192067&categoryId=cat1701013

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chelsea,
    Thank you for voting! I do like that glass shade a lot and even though it's a modified schoolhouse shade, it would work with a mix of styles. Good pick. The other fixture is very similar to my kitchen fixture.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like Rejuvenation's fixtures and I think the Grant Court fixture is nice and looks like it would fit nicely into a bedroom. The era is 1913 - 1923. It's particularly good for rooms with low ceilings. Here's the link: http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC775/templates/selection.phtml?n=v

    I'll be voting for your house on This Old House Reader Remodel contest! Good luck!
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Of course I voted for you!

    you did an awesome job so of course you deserve to win. :)

    btw, I love those blue floors!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey - voted for you and posted to my FB. Good Luck, J

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm off to vote! I hope I can win that gorgeous ceiling fan.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Done!

    I gave my fan away under a stream of disparagement from my husband (yes, I knew it was ugly, but he really hated it!) So when you do find a good one, I might be close behind you...

    ReplyDelete
  8. I will vote often, but their slider is a little wonky. No ideas about lighting fixtures though. You are sure to win...most of the entries were less than professional and yours is terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So beautiful! Love your blog! I'm a new follower! ♥ Anne

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh~ went to "This Old House" and clicked that baby right up to 100!
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  11. Going to vote right now!!! Your facade renovation is among the best I have ever seen!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh ,and another thing, there are some great turn of the century/early 20th century milk glass lamps here that are flush mounts - I can send you the links to photos on the blog. They are very affordable and would be just right for your house. Let me know!!!
    :-) Jacqueline

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have my vote! Good luck to you. You certainly deserve to win.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've already voted twice, I wasn't sure the first time went through since it was so easy. Yep flush mount light fixtures suck but I finally found a style I actually like and we're hanging them today in the stairwell. I'll send you a link to it.

    Good luck!
    XX
    Debra~

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your house is a winner and so are you! Done.

    ReplyDelete
  16. OK. I've voted twice now and have bookmarked the page. You have this hands down!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. We have low ceilings so I feel your pain.

    I'm off to vote for you.

    xo
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  18. Just voted. Best of luck! I will keep my eyes out for a low profile ceiling fixture - not an easy search.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy to vote for you - love what you've done! And will go back and bookmark - what a good idea.

    Your wallpaper project brings back lots of memories - some of them good. When our "old" house was in that condition we had a young lawyer living with us for a few months. He described it as as a "civil war hospital" look. He did have a point.

    good luck with TOH!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've voted for you - it wasn't difficult . I've been following you for ages and I really appreciate all the research and work you've done to make your haven look as good as it does. Hope you win!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very enjoyable blog! I found you on Mockingbird Hill's site and am so glad that I did! You definitely have my vote!

    I'm very much looking forward to following your postings on your journey! Have a wonderful Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You're right about the flush mount ceiling fixtures available. I've been looking, too.

    That floor color in the bedroom is divine.

    Dixie

    ReplyDelete
  23. Off to vote, Steve. You deserve it! Hope you win!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Heinous. Hee. Love that word.

    I vote for schoolhouse electric too. They used to have a great one with a turquoise strip...don't see that color anymore, but didn't look really hard.

    Off to vote!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Voted for you! I'll put a comment in on my next post for you! I think you were at 83 on the meter! Good Luck!

    Too bad about the ceiling fan. We love ours, they really cool off the 2nd story - no central air here either! Did we even need a/c last year except for one week? For the most part a/c is a waste in N.E.

    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  26. love watching your blog soar steve, as it should! yes i am voting away.

    for most of my clients & shops i order my lighting from visual comfort.com. you will find a vast collection of great flush mounts. contact me for access if needed
    debra

    ReplyDelete
  27. Done. But I'll go back. I'm a fantastic person to have on your voting team. I love to vote and revote.

    I of course was going to suggest the same sources Chelsea did.

    We love our bedroom ceiling fans. Every winter I want to take them down and replace them with something sexy BUT come the summer I'm glad I didn't.

    xo Jan

    ReplyDelete
  28. The fabulous Rachel at Nest Egg just did a post of flush mounts check it out here-
    http://nestegg.typepad.com/nest-egg/2012/03/flush-mounts-1.html

    good luck! Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  29. Maybe the Loft Shade Chandelier from Shades of Light: http://www.shadesoflight.com/loft-shade-chandelier.html
    The shade is refined and slightly modern, but the dark rust colored metal would compliment the other fixtures in your home. Ceiling lights are so tough because they cast such unflattering shadows. Anyway, just a thought.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I just voted for your house on This Old House - beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Clicked you, pussycat!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Steve. Nestegg.typepad.com just talked about flush mount lights..check it out..Voted re This Old House...love yours...You should do consultations!!!!! Good Luck.

    Best,
    Ellen (just up the Ave.)

    ReplyDelete
  33. So glad we get to vote often! Do you know when the "polls" close? Sorry I can't enter the ceiling fixture contest--have no ideas. It's got to be tricky to find something remotely period appropriate when such a thing didn't exist in the period.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks everyone for viting! The voting is open through April 2nd, Rosalind, that's a good question.

    Thanks for the lighting suggestions too. I've gotten a few good suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Steve, just voted. You should be in the VERY top!

    I have the same lighting dilemma in my guest bedroom. And I am on the hunt for a good fixture myself.

    I like this one from Circa lighting (comes in different colors) - simple and interesting.

    http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=1424

    And how about this star ceiling mount?

    http://www.ballarddesigns.com/star-ceiling-mount/lighting/ceiling-lights/210668?listIndex=5

    Classic and industrial.

    Good luck to you!

    ox, Mon

    ReplyDelete
  36. You've got my vote...you deserve to win Steve.
    annie

    ReplyDelete
  37. Just voted!
    (just got my Internet back a half hour ago! I had it for a few moments the other day and then NOTHING!)
    SO I will make up for lost time and vote for you a zillion times more! :)
    (I have low ceilings too so I'm VERY interested in seeing what you come up with!)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Steve,
    You've got my vote(s)... early and often, that's my motto!
    Best of luck.
    Miranda

    ReplyDelete
  39. Done! Good luck - you deserve it.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Here's a flush mount fixture that would speak to some of the old house idea with it's metal finish, but lend a bit of a different flavor...like adding that secret special spice to a great recipe. Just a hint of fun ;-)
    http://www.lightingcatalog.com/products/Maxim__21340DWUB.aspx

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm back! kinda hating you now! LOL!
    I have found SO many lights that I want for myself!!!!
    Anyway, here's a site that I found
    http://www.eurostylelighting.com and under flush mount they have 43 PAGES! I found several cool ones on just the first 2 pages!!!
    Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I've placed my vote, Steve, and shall be back to do so again... and again. It won't be my fault if you don't win!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi. I've got my fingers crossed for you. How is it that i am always late to the comment party? I'll send sims lights if I come across anything amazing. Good luck my friend. Did u tweet about it?

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well that was fun. I voted five times for you. As for lighting, urbanelectricco.com in Charleston has some lovely ones. They are pricey, but lovely. Now I am going back to vote a few more times. Good luck.
    Best...Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  45. Steve, I've been voting for you every day! And you're right about ceiling mount light fixtures. I've been looking for one for my hallway for four years, so I'l be watching to see if you come up with something!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Congratulations and best of luck on the This Old House contest - I'm off to vote for you - I think you are the perfect candidate for some fresh ideas in their magazine! Sorry, no flush mount advice although I'll be interested to hear what you find out as I may also be looking soon if we can get our house figured out!

    ReplyDelete
  47. i agree - i have never seen a flush mount i like. haha.

    actually, i really like shades of light:
    www.shadesoflight.com for lighting.
    if you are looking for affordable/cheap, i find they have a well-curated collection of simple and not too weird fixtures...
    even some of their flush and semi-flush mounts are nice.

    they are not restoration quality i don't suppose. i also look at circa lighting a lot - their stuff is elegant and more posh.
    www.circalighting.com

    i will go vote again and again.

    xo terri

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Steve,
    I would recommend "Lighting for Historic Buildings" by Roger W. Moss (pub. by Preservation Press)to determine what would be appropriate for your home. Then, try visiting Chris Osbourne at City Lights right in your home town of Cambridge. He's very knowledgeable and helpful. We also have an amazing resource in the Yankee Craftsman on Commonwealth Avenue in Wayland. They have a barn full of period lighting and have the capacity to customize things if need be. If those don't work out for you, I also think Rejuvenation in Portland is making some of the best reproduction lighting around. Good luck with your quest. I look forward to seeing what you choose.
    Does anyone know if gin will work on an amaryllis bulb?
    Best regards, Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  49. I slide your bar to 100...hope you win. I should have entered my own house!...maybe next time...

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi,
    I found this page of flush fixtures on the City Lights web page:
    http://citylights.nu/flush-fixtures-c-3.html and I know Chris will customize things too.

    The Yankee Craftsmen - Bruce, Scott and Gary Sweeney have a website too:
    http://www.yankeecraftsman.com/index.html
    You can take a virtual tour of their barn and see their antique and reproduction lighting. I hope this is a help.
    Have fun,
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks, Ruth. I wasn't sure I wanted to stay with a period piece. Although after looking at the options, it might be the best route.

    I do like the idea of coming up with something on my own. I little bit period, a little bit industrial or modern so I might buy something old and tweak it so it's unique.

    Thanks for the info. I've really been wanting to go out to Yankee Craftsman.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Steve,
    Some feel that things that are attached to the house should be appropiate to the era of the house. But it's always fun to get creative too. Chris Osbourne has been creating some really interesting Steampunk lights. You might get some inspiration by checking those out.
    You've done such a great job with everything you've done so far and I'm sure that whatever you choose will be wonderful.

    Best,
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  53. First of all....whew.....glad you got rid of that ceiling fan....I don't care how dang hot it gets! A ten dollar box fan from HD works and you can hide it:)
    Of course you should win and I will add my vote in that direction.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Done. How in the heck did I miss so many of your posts? Did I enter a time warp?
    Camille

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm so excited for you to win this contest!! You and your house so deserve to win! I'm still clicking (how long does the contest go on for btw??)

    j.

    ReplyDelete