the easiest house update so far

Before:

After: 

Before: 

After:

This little built-in is right next to our front door, and it is one of the reasons I love living in an old house.  You just don't find this kind of charm in new homes.  To be honest, we are completely in love with our little bungalow.  We bought our house during the $8000 tax credit, but we also had 4 months remaining on our lease contract.  Another reason for happiness is that our old apartment just was leased, which means we don't have to pay double housing payments anymore.  Why am I telling you, dear reader, about all this???  Money freed up for a few extra house improvements to show you on my little blog!

Back to the little nook...the lights in here were purchased from Lowe's by the previous owner, but the extra-tall sconce was grazing the curved ceiling.  Instead of buying a new glass sconce, I decided to soften it up with some fabric shades from Pottery Barn.  I found mine in the store for $9 each, although they do sell them online (in packs of 3).  It was a really easy way of changing the style of a light for a fraction of the cost of a new light.

P.S. A patriotic house post will be coming up tomorrow!