DIY Lantern ~ How to Make a Hardwire Light

by Brian & Kaylor

$170

2 Hours

Easy

I love this project! I took a standard candle lantern (not electric) that I found at a boutique and an old chandelier from an antique store and combined them to make a gorgeous, one of a kind hardwire lantern.

Photo Credit: Ever & Anon

Sometimes I have a vision of what I want but I can't find it so I end up having to build it or make it. This lantern project is one of those times. In New Orleans, lanterns are popular. Almost every house has a lantern fixture outside the home and many have them inside too. I fell in love with lanterns while living there and knew I wanted to have them in our new home. I started shopping online to find a great electric lantern but I was discouraged when I saw how expensive they were and I could not find one I really loved. None of them were really what I was look for.

I decided to make what I was looking for. This candle lantern came from a boutique in the French Quarter. It is not that special as is but it was the right size and color and I knew right away, it was the one. Now I just had to figure out how to make it a light.

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There are several tutorials online about how to do this so I read a few to get an idea of the process and went for it. I found this old chandelier that had light parts that would fit inside the lantern. All I needed were the "guts" so I took it apart only keeping the chain, wiring, and candle part.

Once all the "guts" were out, I spray painted them chrome. I added a metal support bar to my candle lantern, drilled a hole in the top for the wiring to go through, and bought some bright white lights for it.

Here is what our dining space looked like when we moved in.

This is the original light fixture.

Here is what the space looks like now after a complete DIY overhaul of the kitchen and dining room. The lantern is perfect.

Photo Credit: Ever & Anon

This project was a little intimidating but was not that hard. Adding the electrical part was much easier than I anticipated and anyone can do it. Difficulty really depends on your lantern or piece you are changing to hardwire and what you have to do to prep for the electrical parts.

Another bonus to it being one of a kind, is the price. Most hardwire lanterns I saw were in the $500-800 range and didn't have any character. This guy cost me less than $200! You could get it done even cheaper if you can find what you want at a better price.

Cost Break Down

Lantern - $90

Chandilier - $50

Paint - $10

Misc parts needed - $20

TOTAL - $170

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