After moving into our new space, one of the last hurdles my husband and I face is lighting. Our 16 bulbs on the ceiling just aren't cutting it, nor are they particularly glamorous. We've drawn up ideas for different lighting ideas and even had help from my Mom. She's the original DIY Queen and has always inspired me to make something before heading to the stores. 6 of her suggestions for designer lighting that are easily diy-able are after the jump!
Lampa som händer by Katarina Britse: We love everyday items made into spectacular things. This pendant made from rubber gloves is a fantastic creation. Although uncertainty lies in the ability of the gloves to retain air once they have been blown up. Suggestions?
A Family Tree by Rebecca Niederlander: A shorter version of this long waterfall of paper lighting installment could be a consideration (although dust might be harder to clear from it). It would take many hours of tv to get all the strands cut out, but the largest price tag in the project would be the pendant fixture and bulb itself. Although this version is meant to be lit, we think a few pendants placed inside should do the trick.
Globe Lamps: We think this idea is a fun one, although we aren't sure they will supply us with more light than we currently have. They do look great in repetition and would be fantastic down the length of a long kitchen table.
Pell Mell Pendant Light & Three tier pendant light by Sarah Finn: Tackling these beautiful shapes is an idea that could be done in wood veneer (like these are) or with paper or cardstock. Veneer in large sheets would need to be purchased from an actual lumber yard/supplier, but the resulting product would be a true things of beauty. One must wonder how intricate you can get with a Dremel Tool without the veneer splintering?
Bic Ballpoint Pen Chandelier by Jill Fehrenbacher: This chandelier has great lines to it and once again suckered us in with the repeated use of everyday items. We can't help but wonder if it would allow more light to come through if the ink cartridges were removed first or colored pens were used instead?
Turquoise Empire Chandelier by Marjorie Skouras: Although the designer version is all made from pieces of turquoise, we think a more inexpensive version would be easily made with beads from the craft store. They are often on sale (usually every few weeks) and additional %off coupons can sometimes be used as well. Another good substitute could be old costume jewelry from an estate or garage sale.
Our Apartment Therapy Archives are also packed with great DIY lighting inspiration, check out the links below for further inspiration!
Roundup: DIY Lighting Ideas
Look!: DIY Lighting Ideas at DeSerres
Look! Milk Jug Lamps at Anthropologie
Look! Pendant Lamp Makeover For Under $12
DIY Upcycled Lighting Ideas from Etsy
DIY "Cloud" Lamp For Less Than $10
Make This Light Using Branches!
Flickr Finds: MeggethPixel's DIY Whirly Chandelier
Look! Another DIY Movable Pendant Light
DIY Big, Beautiful Paper Globe Chandelier
Photos via the designers and websites that are linked in each reference.
Wow I love the DIY idea for the turquios chandelier, but where could I find the backbone for it?
view eyelight's profile
Hey, I've done the globe light before! Except I used the northern hemisphere for a shade over a regular base.
view madsarah's profile
eyelight, i think you could use embroidery hoops for the 'frame' of the turquoise lamp. they have all sizes and colors at michael's. i'd try linking the small one and the large one with thin wire.
view miss sparrow's profile
Love the globe light! Its a great idea!
view suzy8track's profile
If I had that pen chandelier, all the pens would be gone within 2 weeks b/c I'd use them. Pens go missing in my apt. all the time, and those little babies would get poached!
view atron's profile
Eyelight: I know some craft stores carry different sized metal hoops in the leather section (for making dream catchers I believe). Maybe those would work?
view RedMaiko's profile
I am reminded of the recent house tour of a gentleman's home employing things like a mailbox as a laundry hamper and horns as lighting over the dining room table. My favorite feature was those instruments wired up as lighting.
view kimg924's profile
I'm sorry but I think 16 bulbs in the ceiling is more glamorous than any of the "converted trash" on this page. I do give exception to the turquoise chandelier (which is surprising as I normally hate turquoise). But it wouldn't give off much light I wouldn't think.
view ubershibbydude's profile
That's a LOT of turquoise beads. Even if you used craft store beads or costume jewelry (where, by the way, you would never in a million years get the same look because it would have to be compiled from dozens of different pieces.)
You would need to shop wholesale to get enough of any one color or shape to do this at any reasonable price. (Which is not hard to do, check out bead related discussion groups for sources or just Google "wholesale beads".)
Since I use polymer clay to make faux turquoise beads, I'd do it that way, but again, it's a LOT of beads. It would consume pounds of clay and take literally weeks of time.
So you would really want to LOVE the end result to DIY that one.
view SherryBinNH's profile