I think lighting has a huge influence on the vibe of a house and one of my favourite parts of the house renovation process is choosing the lighting. When it comes to chic – I’ve been coveting these gorgeous Lee Bloom cut glass bulbs for the last 12 months.

Gorgeous, hand blown cut glass light bulb

I think they’re super elegant and super simple and they add a touch of sparkle to any ceiling. I’m currently playing around with configurations for a couple of my rooms … Loving the Chandelier version too!

Leem Broom cut glass chandelier – so elegant.

…and the decanter version is super gorgeous. I’m a huge fan of Waterford crystal and always set my table with their glassware. These light fittings also from designer Lee Broom are just divine and would provide the perfect mood lighting for any setting!

Decanter Chandelier – gorgeous lighting ideas!

When it comes to cheap – I think one of the best lighting styles around are these simple paper flower globes from Ikea. I’ve had to ship them in from overseas in the past but they’re available on trademe now for around $200.

Cheap but still very chic – this Ikea light fitting is around NZ$200 and makes a statement!

Just as stunning by day

I’m amazed at how often these cheap but chic light fittings feature on overseas design shows like Grand Designs – after a million dollar makeover, they hang a $200 light fitting and it works perfectly – my philosophy is that a little goes a long way if you choose carefully!

I love DIY… While it sends shudders up the spine of many – it makes me happy! Show me a dilapidated, tumble down wreck of a house and I’d prefer that any day to walking in a unpacking my bags into a completely finished home. I guess I like the challenge, the feeling of accomplishment and the never ending opportunity to complete a small part of the project each weekend to keep my hands and mind busy. It’s also a great excuse to shop with legitimate purpose almost every weekend 🙂 – knowing that my purchases are all contributing to the master project. I renovate with a tight budget in mind and believe you don’t need endless money to achieve a great result. My last home was a villa in Grey Lyn, Auckland which – neglected and unwanted remained on the market for months before we took up the challenge. I realise now that other than the comments of friends and a few hazy instagram shots, I barely have any records of the time spent in that house and all the fun and satisfaction we had renovating it. So I have resolved to document my future projects a little better – by blogging occasionally about my projects as I go about transforming my new house. Ax