let there be light…

Back in April 2010, when I did a charity-prize dinner with Larry Fitzgerald in my kitchen, I knew I had some serious “light issues” on my back patio.

We ate dinner out there and even though I loaded the table with candles and turned on every available light in the vicinity, it was so dark that we couldn’t see our food! It was quite embarrassing actually.

Fast-forward 32 months – problem solved!

Click Here to see my dream light fixture from Restoration Hardware.

When you look at that price tag, you can easily see why it is … “But a Dream.”

Even though they’ve marked it down $270 since I first set my eyes on it, you’ve got to add back in the $125 shipping fee and another $185 in tax for a grand total of $2635 for one light fixture.

No!
Can!
Do!

Click Here to see my solution …

I bought the fixture in the “dark stain” option from Shades of Light.

Which is the same place I ordered THESE fixtures.

My electrician weatherproofed the sockets and strung them across my open patio…

… just like this one, I had seen at the glamorous Scottsdale Restoration Hardware store. When I say glamorous, I mean, this place is a palatial showcase! 

Here is my light fixture and the finished result – hung in over the uncovered portion of our patio.

In the light of day.

From the bottom, up!

At dusk.

At sunset.

Our first meal under the new light.

Yes! We can actually see what we are eating!

I could not be more pleased – both with the fixture itself and with the $2,000+ savings. 

I’m considering ordering an identical fixture for the soon-to-be – completely remodeled outdoor front entry area.