Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tool Time Tuesday...Light Plate Cover

Happy Tuesday everyone...today's project is a quick fix for an old problem that we've had, but I would rather not hire someone to come in and fix.

See this picture below...this is the "after".



This is the before...


We moved into this house 18 years ago. Nothing was our style, including lights, colors, kitchen, flooring etc. Well, little by little we changed things. We put these sconces in to replace very big and very ugly wall lights. The previous owner had them off center, because she had corner cabinets in this room. Off center doesn't work for me, but there were more important things to do over the years.



Well, I can't take off center any more. I didn't want to remove the electrical box all together just in case we want to do something later when we can afford it. So covering it up is the thing to do.

I did take pictures of the steps to remove this fixture, but decided against showing it. You should hire someone qualified to remove it or if you know someone with experience. It is easy, but I don't want to be responsible!!

The most important thing is TURN OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER TO THE LIGHT...not just the light switch!!!



Here's what you may have when it's off...1 or 2 mounts.


Measure these holes or the holes that are on the diagonal bracket in the back. I used the larger holes in the back.


Here's my saving grace...a $2.00 cover plate.


Super thin, so it's flat against the wall.


Metal on one side and white on the other.


I painted it the wall color.


and the screws too!


Screw it in and it's invisible...well, almost. Good enough for me!!


I circled here...


The wall sconce was off to the left on this wall and off to the right on the opposite wall. Couldn't do anything with lamps with that crazy thing stuck up there!

Here's the after again.


Here is the plate circled. I might add a little wall plaster in the groves of the screws to really fill it in.




Here's a quick tip for a bow. I used chair webbing or strapping.


and place your jar candle on a candle stick and wire some berries around it. Better than worrying about a regular candle on there.


Here's a peek at another dresser redo...stay tuned. Nothing earth shattering, but not bad. No before pictures, because this is a hand me down 4 times over!!


Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

13 comments:

  1. I had never noticed those junction box covers before. Great information. I want to move the placement of the chandelier in the dining room and I now I know what to do!

    I can identify with your four times handed down piece of furniture. My brother-in-law once said that he noticed we never get rid of furniture in our family. We just pass it on to someone else when we are finished with it. As a matter of fact, in my dining room and living room only one piece of furniture was not owned by someone else before me. Now that I think about it, every lamp was also pre-owned. I think that means we are good recyclers in our family!

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  2. Very lovely and welcoming corner. I love handed down furniture. I have several pieces that I would not part with that we just move from here to there when needed.

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  3. Thanks, Karen! That was very clever of you. Simple too.

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  4. your creativity and resourcefulness astound me. It all looks lovely and so inviting.

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  5. Great fix!
    We used some to fix our basement ceiling when we removed the ugly lights and added cans. I haven't painted my covers yet but I was going to try to add some texture 1st.

    I would love to know how tall the lamps on your buffet are? They look just right!

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  6. I don't have anything awkward to cover like that, but that wreath is inspiring and I love the idea of putting a jar candle on a pedestal and adding the wee berry wreath...very nice.

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  7. Karen you did a good job. I have done that twice. I worked mine hot, but I do think people that is not experienced in electrical should turn the breaker off. I put a blank plate in my ceiling when I wanted to move the fixture. My hubby is an electrical contractor but I usually end up doing my small jobs myself. I hate to wait for him.

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  8. We used some to fix our basement ceiling when we removed the ugly lights and added cans. I haven't painted my covers yet but I was going to try to add some texture 1st. I would like to know how tall the lamps on your buffet are? They look just right!

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  9. Excellent site. The information is really valuable and useful. It's amazing that you didn;t even missed micro details. Thanks for your effort to help others.

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. I would love to see the remake of the dresser mentioned at the end of this post, but I can't seem to find it, could you post a link?

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!

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