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Deuce Cities Henhouse

Updating Electrical Components

Sconces from School House Electric
Hello pals, welcome back to the slowest makeover project in the world: our bedroom. It has been no blink-of-an-eye endeavor; it’s more like a slow-mo replay.

Over winter break I had to turn off the power a lot. My kids hate me now, as I cause the interruption of their shows and vid games and whatnots. I thought everything was battery powered these days, but apparently I was wrong. Whateves: these fans, sockets, switches and sconces weren’t going to update themselves, so those kids just had to learn how to deal.

Sconces from School House Electric
First, something not super electrical but it has power going to it from a cord I plug into the wall, so it counts. I installed two new sconces over the side table on either side of the bed. Do you see? They are the Isaac sconces from School House Electric and they are perfect. Schoolhouse reached out and hooked me up with a bit of a discount after I soullessly begged them on the internet for a deal – they fit right into the budget so I nabbed them up along with a covered cloth cord to run all the new electrical together. Can’t thank those guys enough for making awesome things and giving pitiful bloggers a helping hand.

Modern Ceiling Fan
Then, I did the thing that I’ve wanted to do for so long: I replaced the ceiling fans. It took me a lot of debate to pick a fan, mainly because there wasn’t one specific fan that I loved. I ended up going with these Futura Eco fans by Hampton Bay because the price was good and they look simple. Now that they’re installed, I think they’re pretty great and I’m really happy with the choice. I didn’t need a light or anything. We had lights on our old fans and we rarely turned them on. The install on these was a bear especially when you multiply it by two, but I’m happy that they are up and keeping things cool.

Modern Ceiling Fan

Upgrading outlets - replacing receptacles sockets and plate covers
I didn’t want to leave anything untouched so I also replaced the outlets. The old ones had about a million coats of paint on them and had seen better days. It only took a few minutes to switch them out for these new black receptacles. I repurposed some of the copper outlet covers from the kitchen renovation, I painted them black and I think they look sharp against the white walls.

Upgrading outlets - replacing switches with reproduction button switches and updating plate cover
Since I was in the business of having the power off, I also replaced the switches. When electricity was put into our house the switches were all buttons, we still have some in the hall, entry way and music room. I thought these would be nice as button switches too, and I ordered a set from House of Antique Hardware. Tyte, huh?

In other news, I’m totally headed to the tropical climate of Tulum Mexico tomorrow. Beyond stoked. After dealing with the SADZ last year there was no way we were enduring this winter without a trip. Send any restaurant or bar recommendations my way. Thanks to Grammy and Mudgy for staying with the kids while we party hardy in the sand and sun. See you on the flippity flip.

13 comments
in Around the House, Bedroom
13 comments… add one
  • Courtney January 13, 2015

    We went to Tulum last winter and ALMOST booked another trip this winter. We stayed at NVR and loved it. Have fun!

    My favorite places we ate are:
    Flor de Michoacan- (in town) fresh fruit pops
    La Barracuda Tulum- (in town) BEST and HUGEST ceviche, amazing whole steamed fish, and delicous Micheladas! Amazing prices.
    Posada Margherita- great italian food & fish- can be a little spendy for some of the portion sizes
    El Tabano- probably the best pollo rojo I have ever had

    • Scoops January 21, 2015

      Hey Courtney! We made it to Posada Margherita and El Tabano and had wonderful meals at both places. Thanks so much for your recommendations. Sorry it took me all week to get back to you.

  • Stacey January 13, 2015

    Oh, why won’t any of my kids’ grandparents come stay with them while the hubs and I run off somewhere? Enjoy your trip!

    The bedroom details look awesome, btw.

    • Scoops January 21, 2015

      Thanks Stacey, We are really fortunate that my folks can help us out from time to time. I think we’ve used up our Grandparent resources for the next year at least! I hope I can do the same for my kids someday. I realize that we’re lucky to have them around and I’m thankful that they take my kids every once in awhile.

  • Beth January 14, 2015

    1. I love Schoolhouse Electric; fun to hear they have you a discount.
    2. Button switches! Our previous home (a1919 craftsman) had one, but I always wanted more of them; my great grandma’s house had only button switches. Such a satisfying click!
    3. Boo for MN code requiring tamper resistant outlets. We’ve updated a bunch of the electrical in our current house (a 1939 modern-y type thing we moved to a new basement) and those TR’s annoy me every time I try to plug something in.

    • Scoops January 21, 2015

      Beth, It is such a satisfying click! I have to say these newer versions don’t have as much resistance as our original ones do. I did buy the cheapest option available so maybe the more expensive switches have a more authentic and less plasticy feel. They still look good so whatever!

      This TR works really easy for what it’s worth. It hasn’t caused me any trouble plugging things in and out.

      Thanks for the comment!

  • Allison January 15, 2015

    Amazing job Alison! I can only guess the amount of work going up and down the stairs (to turn off the fuses) and up and down a ladder (to install the fixtures) this all took in itself! Incredible and beautiful job! I too had a long and arduous look through simple modern-looking ceiling fans last summer (pipe dream), but am glad to hear the Hampton Bay Futura looks and works well! I’ll store that info away for when I need it! Also Woa, tamper-resistant switches, what is this then? I am in Saint Paul and dont have a single outlet with a TR on them! Is this a bad thing?

    • Scoops January 21, 2015

      HEY! This is your blog? Yes! I’m totally adding it to my bloglovin feed because I love all the stuff that you are up to on your ‘grams!

      Honestly, I didn’t even know what the TR meant when I bought them, but having kids I was like ‘well I guess it’s a good thing that they can’t kill themselves as easily’. I think this is the new way they are making them these days, and unless you plan on sticking forks in your outlets anytime soon, I wouldn’t worry about changing them out.

    • Scoops January 21, 2015

      Also, if you do ever pick up those ceiling fans let me know. After installing two I have a few tricks up my sleeves when it comes down to this model.

  • Vanessa January 15, 2015

    I love the wall sconces Scoops, great choice.

  • Nicole (The House Diaries) January 16, 2015

    Love your funky sconces! Schoolhouse Electric is great. We have S.E. milk glass pendants in our kitchen & love them. Good luck with the rest of your project (though it’s probably not top-of-mind for you today :-)

    • Scoops January 21, 2015

      Thanks Nicole! I love pouring over the School House catalog. Bet those pendants look great in your kitchen too!

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