Industrial Pendant Light Almost for Free!

Clök Concept
by Clök Concept
19 Materials
$25
8 Hours
Advanced
Tutorial team challenge : Recycle me!

WARNING : There is a good reason why I didn't show any electrical connection in this post, and just the makeover steps of the light. I am no expert and I won't tell you how to do electricity. Of course, we shot the power off. Of course, the wires are all covered with connectors and heat shrink tube, none are exposed. All the wires are perfectly attached. The box is fixed on a beam with a lot of screws... There is no risk for it to fall.

I had this ugly builder grade pendant light in my dinning room. Not enough for it to be outdated, it was also off center! Instead of throwing it in the garbage, I decided to recycle it!

I am planning this makeover for years now... So thanks to Hometalk for this challenge : it pushed me to finally do it! 👍
Ok... I must admit it is my first attempt with electricity... For me, it was truly challenging because I have never touched anything electrical before... Needless to say I've never created something electrical neither! I am freaking scared of electricity, so I never tried anything with it... Never, except this one time! Fortunately enough, I have the best hubby icon in the world, and the BEST electrical sales rep in the neighborhood!


When I couldn't do something, hubby did it for me (and showed me how!) and, when he couldn't help me, I went to see pros just around the block... they didn't just help me, the GAVE me what I needed to finish this project! Can you believe it? I walk through a store (place where they SELL things to make MONEY), asked for help and they gave me free stuff!!! Man, do I love my big city who acts like if it was a little village! Just to make sure you read well : They gave me free advice AND free stuff to achieve my project! Isn't nice? It helps me keep believing in humanity! Must be Xmas spirit!! icon
OK, so first, I dissemble everything and kept aside what could be useful for my new lamp :


  • Shades;
  • Lampholder;
  • Screws;
  • Electric covers.
With faux barn wood bought at Home Depot, I created a box. I fixed all the planks together using scrap wood blocks and cement glue.
I displayed the lamp shades on the plank used as a cover. I had 5 shades but decided to use only 4. I marked the holes to be drilled on the plank, for it to receive the electrical wires.
After marking the holes places on the wrong side of the wood, I used a small drill to make a tiny hole. I then turned the plank, cover the holes with masking tape (it helps to make nice holes without the wood crumbling). Then, I used a 3/8" drill to make a bigger hole, the same width as the small screw hoses shown on picture.
Once the holes were made, I inserted the small screw bushings to receive the electrical wires. I had to use a sledgehammer to insert them, since the holes and the hoses were at the same diameter.
Spray painting all the hardware : screw hoses, electric covers and shades.


I intended to spray paint all the shades in black... But I started with the interior part and all the outside smokey details were revealed and I really liked it, so I didn't paint the exterior part of the shades.
I then measured and cut the electrical wires with very precise measurements. I inserted them in the screw hoses, which I sealed with its own nut... Not sure it is the right term to be used!!!
After searching the beams to screw the box to the ceiling,.. I just screwed it there! :)
I am so, so, so very proud of what I achieve with this project... Especially because I knew nothing about electricity before this... And because I saved hundreds of dollars bcz I saw something else then what seems to be trash at first sight!


I truly hope this project will help you see that some of what you consider as garbage could become a real treasure if you dare to spend some time on it! :)


I really enjoy what I created from trash... It gives a real lounge groove to our dining room! :)
Resources for this project:
Barn wood planks
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 12 questions
  • Peggie Billadeau Peggie Billadeau on Dec 29, 2019

    What kind of paint did you use for the glass shades? I wasn’t sure because of the heat from the light bulbs. Thank you!

  • Ashley Ashley on Dec 29, 2019

    Did you keep the frame of the original chandelier, for a future project? It would be gorgeous with some new paint, crystals, and exposed, candle-style bulbs...Then again, I tend to lean more towards an eclectic vintage look...So my vision may be the opposite of what you find appealing...Either way, I LOVE what you did here, especially the decision to leave the shades that gorgeous smokey gray color, instead of going solid black...It has so much more character this way!!!

    Also, If you don't plan to use the left over frame (and haven't already done so), you could always sell it on marketplace...People there (myself included) are always hunting for vintage light fixtures to revamp, and/or spare parts to add to their projects. They sell very quickly too...Just a thought.

  • Tigala Tigala on Dec 23, 2020

    Did you use heat resistant paint?

Comments
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3 of 187 comments
  • Bek Bek on Dec 22, 2020

    I wasn't that horrified by the original fixture, being fond of old-fashioned things, but if I had one just like it, I'd still paint those shades! That misty detail is stunning!

    • 34354174 34354174 on Dec 23, 2020

      I agree, calling something like this ugly and builder grade is insulting to those of us who have them and happen to like them. They aren't expensive, but they are not cheap.

      Maybe rephrase by calling them ...something not in your style or taste.

      They fit my decor and not everyone likes industrial or YOUR style.

      I have seen others with these fixtures paint the shades and they look beautiful.

      Sorry I just feel people should be more careful with their descriptions of ugly....beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • Tigala Tigala on Dec 23, 2020

    I love your end result!

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