Thursday, July 8, 2010

all sorts of cleverness

In the category of "loose ends which need to be tied up", I bring you my kitchen sink.

Rather, I present the question that has puzzled me for quite a while, namely: what light fixture should be installed over the kitchen sink? I have been mulling over this one even before the kitchen was installed.

In comparison to all the unsolved dilemmas in the world, I realize my light fixture issue ranks pretty low on the totem pole, but to me it's pretty crucial. I mean, I have been doing dishes practically in the dark every night for months.

Although the industrial pendants in the rest of the kitchen are way cool, I held off in putting an additional one here.

I imagined something different, something catchy and slightly quirky and fun.
Not a pendant, not even a chandelier. Nothing too country or even totally modern-
a unique, one-of-a-kind, practical yet out-of-the-ordinary fixture.


One that wouldn't cost a heap o' dough, of course.

One day a few months back, I presented this conundrum to my most creative friend, Amber. I knew she would pull the perfect rabbit from her bag of decorating tricks. She stood back from the bay window, stroked her chin (just like her brother does when he is deep in thought), and snapped to attention within seconds.

"What are THOSE?" she inquired, pointing to three triangular glass storage jars that were minding their own business on a shelf nearby. I assumed she was changing the subject.

"Oh, I got them at the flea market in town for a few bucks. I might use them for cooking oils or....something, I don't know. WHY?"

"Well," she explained, "they would make a really cool light fixture- if you could find someone clever to wire them!"

Our house is regularly spilling over, bursting at the seams, with clever people. And after this clever person (whose initials are TQ) was done purchasing the supplies to do the job, the total-including the few bucks I paid for the bottles-was under fifteen bucks.

When this baby is finished, I will be sure to post the stunning results.

Thanks, Tommy. I already told you I LOVE YOU way too many times today.
Get used to the love.