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  • Hi, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle.

    You can find me writing for HGTV and DIY Network, follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    Thanks for visiting!

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Find the Perfect Midcentury Light Fixture

April 28, 2016

This post was originally published on DIY Network’s blog Made + Remade in November 2014.

Shopping for an amazing midcentury-inspired light for your home? Jump to the bottom of the post to see some of my favorites.

My decision to upgrade the lighting in the kitchen was indisputable. The fan installed over the table in an eat-in kitchen nook was rarely used. The light it emanated from its 5 bulbs was nice to have, but because the fan function itself seemed out of place for the location, it seemed pointless to have a fixture taking up so much headspace.

The ugliest kitchen fan ever, and how we replaced it.

The design of the fixture was another issue; its 1970s-80s appeal didn’t vibe with the kitchen, nor with the rest of the house, wherein unobtrusive white lacquered ceiling fans reign, and a 1950s finish is more prominent.

Swapping out a ceiling fan for a traditional light fixture couldn’t be easier (the opposite of installing a ceiling fan). Shut off the power to the light, and then loosen screws that hold the fan against the mount. You’ll find that the fan motor itself hooks onto the mount securely to prevent it from simply dropping down straight onto your head, so plan to have an extra set of hands available to help bear the weight of the fixture while you unhook it. Detach the wires while your compadre continues to hold the fan from beneath, and you’re done with the removal of the old fan. Assuming it’s still in good condition, feel free to offer it for sale – you never know who might need just that style for their home, or who might have a vision to reuse it in a different way.

Worst case scenario, the base of your new light doesn’t have the same diameter mount as your giant fan, and you’ll have to do a little bit of ceiling patchwork and/or painting.

Swapping a modern light fixture in place of an old fan.

Once you’ve sanded, make sure you re-paint a wide radius from the effected area. Fanning out the paint will make your touchups less obvious.

The light I chose is Fredrick Ramond’s Karma Polished Aluminum flush mount fixture. It was just over $240 because I took advantage of coupon codes online, and its very midcentury science-lab-esque design takes our kitchen to a whole new level of cool.

Swapping a modern light fixture in place of an old fan.

The before and after in our kitchen is pretty dramatic when you compare both the newly painted cabinetry and lighting.

Swapping a modern light fixture in place of an old fan.

If you’re looking for a cool, modern light for a space in your home, here’s a roundup of some of my favorites. Happy shopping!

  • Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Company has a big selection that you’ll swoon all over. From the Factory Satellite 3 pendant to the Satellite 6, to the flush mount Newbury 4″ with a multi-color striped shade, you’re sure to find a great midcentury replica for your home.
  • Rejuvenation’s lighting selection will get you inspired for sure. Check out the Astron Tri available with canopies in 8 colors, the Galaxy narrow pendant, and the Luna pendant if you’re searching for something a little more spacey.
  • The muted golden brass of the Midcentury Modern Mobile Chandelierfrom Shades of Light falls into the same category in my book. Just beautiful.
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DIY  / HGTV + DIY Network Projects  / Kitchen  / Lighting

Emily
I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. You can find me writing for HGTV and DIY Network, follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

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  • HI, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    Thanks for visiting!

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