How Lighting Can Make a Décor Difference

Hey everyone – hope all is well… {I’m going to keep saying that because nowadays- you just never know}- You may recall a few posts back I revealed the makeover of this beautiful art deco cabinet.  I was so thrilled how it turned out and it was the perfect piece to showcase my barware collection.  I absolutely love it, but when I looked back at this picture I kept thinking something is missing or something is off (besides my paint color – sidenote….uggghhhh why is it taking me soooo long to pick a paint color for this room).. but anyway.. I see three styling mistakes/booboos.

Mistake #1  The first mistake I realized is the glass shades are all wrong.  I was bored with the shades that had been on them since I purchased the sconces over 20 years ago.  I changed them to blend with the wall color, but since I’m changing the color, they must go.

I found some tortoise glass shades a while back at a thrift store for $5.00 each and switched them out.

You know I’m an animal print loving kinda girl.  I felt those are more my style and made a better appearance for the cabinet (tidbit info- you these are at least $20.00 ea at Lowes’s)

These are by far a better look (in my opinion)

Next was problem no.2 –  The mirror.  The scale is a bit too big meaning wide and the style isn’t quite right.  I really love this mirror but perhaps somewhere else.  However, this problem will remain until I find an alternative décor piece to put above it.  Luckily, I’m in no hurry and I believe once I choose the right paint color, something will come to mind (or I might just keep it empty – who knows).  But moving along to the next issue.

Lastly, problem no.3, lighting….. when I walked into the dining room at night, the cabinet seemed a bit dismal.  I wanted it to shine at night when I walk past it.  Perhaps something to make the beautiful glassware shine and catch my eye.  However, it wasn’t doing that because there simply was not the correct lighting.  See how dark it looks with the sconces lit.

Ambient light in a room can make a design impact and play a significant role in the visual aesthetics of a space (like it did for my office shelving).  So if it could work for spaces, why not try it for furniture.  So, I did some research for under the cabinet lighting, cordless, and no batteries.   I found this lighting on Amazon and they were absolutely perfect!

This is a larger view of them.  Everything needed came with the lights – the charging cord, metal plate and double-sided tape.

Installing them was extremely simple.  Just peel the the 2-sided tape and adhere to the metal bar.  Then place the sticky side on your furniture/cabinet.  The backing on the light is magnetic and it magnetizes to the metal strip.  After that, turn on and VOILA – GAME CHANGING illuminating light.

And the extra bonus is these are rechargeable and motion sensored ( you can either leave them on all the time or you can set the mode for motion sensor)  So.. if I choose to leave them as motion lighting, when I walk past or open the door, the light will come one.  How cool is that!!

Just a slight reminder: Affiliate links are included in this post. This means that should you purchase a linked product, I may receive a small commission, but at no additional cost to you. To read my full disclosure click here.

Insert happy dance because this cabinet has gotten it’s groove back and it’s full of character, mood and ambience (hmmm.. I might have to name her Stella – heeheehee).   It’s a stylish look that shines the spotlight on my glassware.

So “how you like me now?”!!!  It’s no longer a tired looking $40 thrift store pitiful soul.  Can’t you attest to a good love story from rags to riches – well that’s what happened here.  As always, it’s about the thrill of the hunt – so happy hunting while you thrift your house into a home.

CIAO!!!!