Good Questions: Light Fixture Makeover?

Hello AT,

We have these plastic light fixures throughout our apartment and we are looking for a cheap way to cover them. The tin ceilings were damaged around the fixures. To cover the damage, the owner put a plastic ornament on the ceiling and now we are stuck with an even uglier view. Any ideas?

Thanks! Naomi

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Dear Naomi,

We feel your pain. Other than saying "don't ever use them" and urge you to rely on table and floor lamps, we have had great success with DIY paper covers.

You can either buy the large paper globes from a place like Pearl River Mart which will fit up around the bulbs and distribute the light more evenly or you could buy nice paper, cut it and attach it in the shape of a long cone from the ceiling downward. you can also layer paper over the lights in strips (think criss-crossing x's) until the lights are hidden.

We like the texture of fine paper (rice paper or warm, off white stock) and enjoy creating coverings in situations like this, but we suspect other people will have even better ideas.

Anyone?

Comments (1)

Hello,

I'm new, I like all these ideas, very nice. Here's one: You can get a paper parasol (or silk..) with a design of your choice (or paint a plain one, or leave it). Open it, and saw off the wooden handle to the desired length that it will hang down. Screw an eye hook into that pole, put a hook in the ceiling, and you have a large, beautifully light parasol light cover that gives a cozy and soft glow to your room.

I have one in my hall, with a large lotus across the top.

As for someone above mentioning the Victorian, I think Victorian style would go nice with this old fashioned paper and bamboo parasol. Anyone agree?