Flickr Find: DIY Parasol Light

One of our favorite (and inexpensive) ways to decorate our pad is with lighting. Four to five accent lights instead of harsh overhead lighting is how we like to keep rooms lit. But if we do go for the overhead lighting, it's has to be on a dimmer or an idea like this DIY parasol light, pictured above.

Ask Dzign takes her grandmother's antique Japanese parasol and simply attaches it to an old light fixture with two plastic cable ties that she had lying around the house. She explains that because of the height of the ceilings, you can't see how it's done when you're passing through.

The vintage parasol adds charm and a little bit of unexpectedness to the everyday hallway. And we love how it deflects harsh overhead lighting--great DIY!

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[Images from Ask Dzign]

Comments (12)

oooo i feel so special! thanks for the nice posts today.

posted by askdzign on March 25th 2009 at 5:46pm
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I really like how the reflected light highlights the ceiling medallion, too.

posted by FiatLex on March 25th 2009 at 5:56pm
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It is lovely. But: that gorgeous rich color will fade with light exposure. I suppose it's better than never seeing such a lovely thing, but I would use the dimmest possible bulb, and put this in a room that is lit only occasionally.

posted by Jezebella on March 25th 2009 at 6:07pm
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oh my god, 70s.... ick

posted by Cyb on March 25th 2009 at 6:17pm
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Yes, I have thought of that Jezebella. But, for years it was stored out of sight in a cabinet, and well, what's the use in that? It's so pretty, I wanted to see it. The wattage is pretty low and for the most part it only gets a bit of sunlight through the top of that door - and we are on the first floor so it's minimal.

posted by askdzign on March 25th 2009 at 6:21pm
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Cyb, it might not be your style, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great way to show off a family heirloom. I like it and the story behind it (which I'm sure you get to tell whenever you have visitors, askdzign).

posted by harlie on March 25th 2009 at 6:46pm
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I find this lovely.

posted by Daniel Poitiers on March 25th 2009 at 7:44pm
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very cute!

posted by Lizzykewl on March 25th 2009 at 9:30pm
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I did the same thing in college-- I had a large, cheap, paper parasol that I hung over the icky institutional overhead lighting. I had to saw off the parasol's handle, but it was worth it.

posted by igurl on March 25th 2009 at 10:09pm
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We moved in almost a year ago and I hid my bedroom's light-bulb with a 4 € Pier1 umbrella.
It's still there and gives a nice touch of color since tha walls ar still white.

posted by @nna on March 26th 2009 at 2:43am
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This looks lovely! Makes me wish I had really high ceilings like that.

posted by suzy8track on March 26th 2009 at 8:55am
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Ive been looking for ways to use my (very large) parasol. This won't work for now, but someday it might!

posted by Nolann on March 26th 2009 at 11:51am
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