I really hate mushrooms.
Now, before you’ve think I’ve gone off the deep end and have started ranting about pizza toppings, let me clarify. I don’t hate mushrooms: the fungi. I hate mushrooms: the lights.

See that one above my kitchen sink? It makes me completely crazy. It gives off very little light, and it’s pretty much just an eyesore that you can see from both the kitchen and the living room.
In my effort to rid the world of mushroom lights one fixture at a time, I knew that this one had to go. I wanted to wait until I found the perfect chandelier to replace, and I luckily stumbled upon it at the City-Wide Garage Sale last weekend.
What do you think of the new chandy that replaced that ugly fungus of a light?

Come closer my pretties…

Still closer…

Ahhh, isn’t it fantastic? It has three “candles,” three different little birdies, and lots of bling. It’s impossible that I could love a light fixture any more than I love this one. We installed it on a dimmer, so we can make it as bright or as dim as we would like. It’s nice to have the bright light while working in the kitchen, but we like to have it softened in the evenings when we are enjoying our living room.


The thing is, Tom didn’t love it when I brought it home. In fact, I think his exact words were, “Where are you going to put that ugly thing.” Tsk, tsk.
Sometimes, Tom’s right, though. He helped make some upgrades to the chandelier that really made a big difference. Before, it seemed too long for our space and just looked very heavy.

He suggested making some changes to the shape of the fixture. What a catch I have, huh?

After adding a length brass tubing, some wire to hold it up, and a touch of black craft paint, Tom even loves it. Hooray for a smart husband and a “ghetto” fix. Whatever works, right?

Love it!!! I love your kitchen it's amazing looking! That is awesome that your hubby helps with the crafty ideas 🙂
Great look, what a change. I love it.
Sandy
Fantastic! I love the alterations you guys made and it looks ever so much better than the mushroom light. 😉
I love mushrooms!! I like BBQ, add to the list mayo, beans, any creamy dressing, honey mustard, red meat, any meat on the bon, mushrooms, cooked veggies,strawberries, any kind of potato…..oh I'm sure the list could go on and on and on…..
Best Regards,
I LOVE THIS!!! Kudos to you for getting rid of the mushrooms…you've inspired me!
I love it! And I'm so impressed that you modified it and got it hung so quickly.
oooooo – I love, love, love those birdies. Great idea and great job! Does anybody know where I can get one like this?
Great choice! I love it!
Love this! Good call on the switch. I'm looking for one to put over my bathtub… no luck yet.
I love it! The bling & birdies are too cute!
I love it Lindsay! That is a total treasure.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!!
Please (I am beggin you) Google what it means to use "ghetto" as an adjective. I don't think you know you are being offensive, but you have used it a couple of times, and it is VERY offensive.
Kelly
What an amazing find! I love the birds!
Love it!!! What an amazing find. My house is full of boob lights that I need to replace. The problem is, my husband loves them.
Hi Kelly- I appreciate your comments. I certainly never meant to offend anyone, and I'm sorry that I offended you.
As someone with multiple degrees in Government and History, I absolutely understand the meaning of the word 'ghetto' – from it's use in pre-war Europe to it's description of impoversihed areas in the U.S. to it's more 'urban' definition used as an adjative today.
I think it's clear that my use of the word in describing my light fixture was in no way linked to race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status nor did I mean to insult a group of people. Just hear me when I say that, when I use the term, it does have the connotation that you imply.
I love the term "boob lights" y'all are using. I'd never heard that one before! LOL
I love they way you took that chandy and made it your own…it looks fabulous where you hung it, and that you can see it from your living room, as well. I think it looks especially well with the other wroght iron pieces on the shelf above your pass-thru! I wondered where you were going to put it…pleasatly surprised! Great job! I'm extremely impressed that you got it hung so quickly. My "projects" seem to sit around much longer before I get to them, if ever!!!
I am a light fixture freak so I was very excited when you said you found a great fixture at the sale! It is perfect for the space and I love the modifications!
Whew! You had me going there for a minute…I was ready to come down there to Texas and whoop ya for wanting to rid the world of mushrooms. But, then when I realized you were talking about the LIGHTS – well, then it was all better and I wanted to come down there and hug you instead.
Your chandy was an amazing find. Love the birdies and bling. It makes a huge difference hanging above your sink. Another wonderful upgrade, my dear.
XO,
Pam
I had never heard of a mushroom light , we have "boob" lights as the builder lights , you new light is lovely , I especially love the sdjustment , brilliant. That is an adorable light .
Chris
Just Beachy
When I finished reading this, I looked up at the ugly mushroom light over MY kitchen sink. It's got to go! Just need to figure out what I want to replace it with. 🙂
What a find! Very cute and I love the little birds too.
Sabrina
http://sabbyinsuburbia.blogspot.com/
Love it! Definitely an improvement over the mushroom fixture. 🙂
i hate the quality of light that those mushroom thingies give off. makes my head hurt. i usually replace them with recessed lighting like here: http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com/2009/10/before-after-pictures-waterfront.html
great quality of light and not terribly expensive.
kelly
I saw this at the sale- I remember seeing you take pictures of it! Glad you took it home- loved loved the birdies. Your improvements are awesome!
LOVE it! I wish I had somewhere to hang a great light fixture like that….
Cute! I was wondering what you were going to do with the birdies! I think it's perfect and not "ghetto" at all.
I'm with you, I don't like mushroom lights either. I'm hoping to change out all the mushrooms in our house soon after we move in. Great chandelier!
looks great!
Lindsay,
I love the chandelier! I watched the video you posted and knew you purchased it at the City-Wide garage sale..I have to admit that I was a probably leaning more towards your husband's reaction when I first saw it but you knew what you were doing!!! It looks beautiful in your space.
Jane
I've never heard them called that before, but I'm using the term "mushroom lights" to describe them from now on! Ha. I've got a couple of them left to banish from my house. Builders just love those cheapo things!
Your new chandy is gorgeous! It's amazing what a difference it makes in your kitchen. Bravo. 🙂
OOoh, the light looks great there! Love those birdies.
That is such an improvement! It adds tons of personality!
I have mushroom lights all over my condo too. I despise them. Like I am trying to switch them out little by little. Calling them boob lights doesn't make me hate them even less, but totally falls into my "if you don't like it make fun of it" philosophy of home decorating.
Yes, boob lights. I'm helping one of my clients replace each and every one of them in her home…she can't stand them!!
Your before and after, what can I say. Beyond fabulous improvement and what a find!
Janell
Did you know there is something worse than mushroom lights? Boobs. Yes, I said it. All the light fixtures in my new place look like boobs, but thankfully there is only one per room, lol!
I love it!! What a great treasure find that was. So great that you can find such a great place for it.
Ruth
I love it! It shows to The Hubster that I am NOT crazy after all…or maybe all of us Bloogy moms are in it together. Either way love it! Here is a post on my chandy love for above the kitchen sink!
http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-new-favorite-thing-part-2.html
I LOVE it!! I want to add chandaliers all over my house, my husband kinda has the same reaction "WHAT?? That thing there?" But in the end us chicks know best, right? Totally adding you to my links on my blog. come check me out!
starterhometodreamhome.blogspot.com
Great find. I love the crystal “buds” and the birdies. I would have just shortened the chains, though… 🙂
I love the bird chandelier!! Our builders house is full of standard “mushrooms” – including the dining room (what were they thinking??). Fortunately, the thrift store has tons of chandeliers just waiting for a DIY touch by moi all for the happy price of $10-$15 – Woo Hoo! Garage sales are the best for finding things – can’t believe someone was getting rid of that beauty!