Sometimes the best projects are those that have the least amount of supplies and expense that go into them. That doesn't mean they won't require a few hours of manual labor (remember this wax paper pendant?), but it means you'll be getting a great deal of bang for your buck. Can you tell what was used to create this amazing overhead display?
Coffee filters! A simple globe shade was used and coffee filters were attached. Nichole over at Parlour is the mastermind behind the craft and it really is as simple as that. It's light, bright, functional and makes a big statement for very little money.
If you're not into white, you could probably dye your coffee filters first (we like to make simple things complicated) or use a translucent spray paint (Montana makes them in blue, red, pink and more). That way you don't block the light that needs to shine through while still obtaining a pop of color.
It's a fabulous look that anyone with a few hours to kill can put together. We do suggest taking it down every 6 months and giving it a good vacuum as we're sure it will collect a little dust along the way.
• Check out the full project from Nichole over at Parlour.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Nichole is also a contestant in the Room for Color contest — you can see her official entry at Nichole's "Little Bit of Happy" Room.
Image: Parlour
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
tissue paper used for cupcakes?
A few months ago we had a coffee filter bandit at work. I wonder if this is what they were making...
Why not used the unbleached coffee filters for a nice beige color . . . .
How would it look if you dipped just the edges into a shallow dish of dye/paint, before drying and attaching them? I'd love to have a go at this but my ceilings are quite low... I would have to start with a far smaller shade!
i think those dining chairs are for sale at etsy...
cute.
I LOVE this idea, but what I love even more are the pictures on the wall behind the light fixture...I feel like I've seen them before...maybe for sale on Etsy...Ideas anyone? Thanks, NY
Very cool! I love this and might try it. Incidentally, maybe it should have been posted after the contest was over. This could give unfair advantage, what with the extra free publicity. Unless you're doing this for all the contestants, and I just haven't noticed?
I love this idea! And to think it's made of coffee filters.
I recently wrote a post on a DIY coffee table made of marble and copper piping: http://www.homespace.com/blog/homeowners/maintaining-a-home/diy-coffee-table.html
-Lindsey
i'm so glad you shared this tutorial because i couldn't stop staring at that light fixture on the room for color contest entry.
I think these are the chairs:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57975286/frenchy-set-of-dining-chairs?ref=sr_list_17&ga_search_query=painted+chairs&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title
Yes, the author has her own etsy shop. She said in another blog post that she had to get rid of the chairs because her cats seemed to be having too much fun with them and she didn't want them to damage the caning.
This. Rocks. My. World.
@NewYorkStateofMind: they look like photograps from this Etsy member: http://www.etsy.com/people/lesleysico
Excellent!!!
Love it!
These things look FANTASTIC, but just like the wax paper one, I always wonder...how in the world would you CLEAN it? Dust and grime....especially in the kitchen!
id love to see a picture of this lit up in the dark.
The art looks like the photography of Alicia Bock from a distance. I have a couple of her prints and love them. http://www.etsy.com/shop/AliciaBock
as for cleaning... just make a new one? it would just require an afternoon once a year (take it outside and shake out the dust more often). For sticking the filters on, instead of using glue, perhaps use some of the those velcro strips (just a tiny chunk), glue (or get the adhesive kind) one side to the coffee filter, one side to the lamp exterior. Just use the same side of velcro when you replace the filters later, without tearing holes in your lamp trying to re-cover it.
Well, there are over 1200 Coffee filters on the lantern. I'm not sure that velcro would be feasible. It would take FOREVER. I used high temp hot glue, so unless that light gets SUPER hot, I'm thinking you will be just fine.
The prints are actually from Cassia Beck.
If I knew for sure that this would be easy to clean without it eventually getting totally dingy looking, I'd make it in a heartbeat. We have a huge cabinet dedicated to extra filters.
I don't drink coffee, but I may be raiding the filter section of the store very soon. I may build this lamp before I even know where to hang it because I'm THAT excited. I loved that pendant the moment I saw the photo the other day.
this is so awesome.. i am saving this post.. will definitely be trying this!
she also has the cutest little painted char feet on her blog post. kind of funny and whimsical.
Crazy! Finally a DIY I love the looks of! Clever Girl!!!
I am absolutely loving both of the pendant lamps mentioned here!!
Down with overpriced lighting! Yay for acceptance of DIY projects in well-designed spaces!
I just did a post about a DIY wreath that is amazingly cheap, and looks fantastic! It's amazing what a can of glossy white spray paint can do!
A holiday wreath for ALL seasons
I LOVE THIS PROJECT!! Now my next question is... where can I incorporate this in my own home?? Hrmm...
Kinda crapy that Nichoe didn't give credit where credit is due- she got this idea from my blog -which she inconspicuously links to in a previous post, but not in the one she sent Apartment Therapy. Yeah, pretty shady move.
Here's my original post-
http://karapaslaydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/08/diy-cloud-like-light.html
Erm... or possibly 'great minds think alike' Kara?
Admittedly, they do look, er, very similar. Anyway, thanks to your link, we get to see your shade lit up (it looks wonderful)!
Btw Kara, it might be time to give your keyboard bit of a clean... you missed a 'p' and an 'l' there, I think.
Oh yes, nice pun!
Wow, Kara-
here is the last comment on that post of yours...
"Whoa, I'm so gonna try this. This is genius! I found you through Parlour. I'm your newest follower! :) "
I did give you credit, and that is the proof. I did not send this into AT, they found it and featured it on their own. I'm waiting for an apology and/or the removal of your comment.
OI!!! The pair of yerrrr!!! MAKE LIGHTSHADES NOT WAR!!!! ;)
Across the pond-
I totally agree! Sounds good! Thanks! ( =
i am halfway thru mine and loving it already....gives me a GREAT excuse to catch up on netflix as well! thanks again for the great idea.