Tuesday, June 8, 2010

DIY Pottery Barn Inspired Chandelier



Okay....first let me say that I LOVE flipping through an ultra-chic Pottery Barn Catalog.  I love how beautiful EVERY picture and room is.   Too bad we can't put a second mortgage on our house to finance the PB goodies I want...so that leaves me to come up with an alternative by myself.

Last week I saw this beautiful, simple, chandelier:


I immediately saw it hanging in our entry way  (and everyone oohing and ahhing over how fabulous our new chandelier was when they came over ... I may have gotten carried away  while day dreaming).

I was rudely brought back to reality by the $269.00 price -- darn!

But as I studied the fixture I thought -- "I could make that -- right!?!"....

Enter Craigslist (one of my favorite resources!).  I searched not more than 15 minutes and this "beauty" fell into my lap.  Notice the candelabra part is PERFECT!  For $15.00, and only 5 minutes from our house  - I had to get it!


I cleaned the chandelier off when I got home and started to disassemble it.  I started taking pictures to post in my blog -- but then realized it was a good thing I did, becuase I couldn't remember how to get it back together!








I didn't need any tools to get the candelabra portion of the light out of the "box", I just unscrewed each piece to free it from the glass casing.  You can see each piece coming off in these pictures.









Once everything is loosened you can slide each piece off of the wires.
Almost done -- only one piece left to unscrew from the post that holds the wires in place.












 You can see that the "post" just unscrews as well and can be slipped off of the wires. 

 Now, just pull the candelabra down through the box (the wires will be pulled through the hole on the top of that box).









The candelabra is FREED!  Don't you love that shiny brass?!?



















I got out my trusty can of spray paint and sprayed that baby down.  (I spray-painted the S-hooks and bracing the same black as the candelabra.)



NOTE:  I put paper towels in the sockets so I didn't get paint in there.  I also covered the grounding wire (the bare copper colored wire) so as not to get paint on that either.





















Now comes the assembly part. (The list of materials is at the end of the post for the specifics):


Measure the skinniest part of the vase with a fabric tape measure.  Cut the bracing to the same length, making sure that at least ONE of the holes can overlap, like this:



Insert the three S-hooks, evenly spaced, before you wrap the hanger strap around the vase.  Also make sure that the hooks are pointed up before you insert the last hook (in the overlapped part).



Then wrap the hanger strap, with the s-hooks in, around the vase (just  under the fluted part).  I glued the part of the hanger strap that was overlapped (with the s-hook through two holes) just to be on the safe side.  I don't think you would have to do this step:



Next take your strip of ribbon and glue it to the hanger strap to hide it. 














Once the ribbon is on, and glued, t's time to hook your chains to it.  You will need a needle-nose plyers for this.  Bend the link at the end of the chain open so that you can hook it into your S-hook:


(YEESHK!  Please excuse my scratched up thumb nail and dirty hands -- is it a wonder why I'm not a hand model??)

Above you can see how the chain is clamped on to the s-hook (the metal needs to be touched up after this process -- a lot of paint gets scratched off).

And you're ready to hang up the candelabra and attach the vase:

It's easier to install your light without the glass vase attached.  Just hang the candelabra first.  We made the mistake of  hanging it with the vase (which was heavy) and let's just say I won't need to be doing any bicep/shoulder press exercises any time soon.  Also, the vase got full of white ceiling popcorn and dust when we were hanging it.  So it's best to leave the vase off if you can.
And a safety note:  It's always best to make sure the power is turned off to your outlet and even to turn off the power at the breaker -- just to be on the safe side.  Kevin's the expert on light replacement in our house -- so I left the wiring up to him.

Once the bare candelabra is up and attached safely to your ceiling, you can attach the other end of your chains to the light's chain hanging from the ceiling mount (or honestly, wherever you feel they look best).  You will want to do the same thing with this end of the chain that you did before.  Open up the last link with your needle-nose pliers. 
Above you can see how I have hooked the other end of the chain to the top.  (you will probably need to touch up the spray paint -- it does chip when you're puting it up).



Before the reveal, here's the cost breakdown:
Here's the list of materials I used:

 - S Hooks: 2 1/8" closed S-Hook: $1.09












- Three 1-foot sections of chain (Home Depot sells it by the foot, so they can cut it all for you -- YESSS!):  
I used #16 chain that was already black.  You can check the weight restrictions on each kind of chain to make sure it will hold your vase.  HOWEVER:  You want to make sure it's a light enough chain that you can bend the end of a link to hook it onto your s-hooks:  $1.62

- 3/14" - 24 gauage steel hanger strap (found near the plumbing at the hardware store): $1.64


















- Gorilla Glue:  The kind that dries clear.

- Vase:  You will definitely want a vase that has a fluted top so that it holds the hanger strap in place while it hangs.  Other than that, have fun picking a unique one out!  I got mine from Joanne's for $9.99

- Ribbon:  You'll want to cover up your hanger strap (becuase let's face it hardware doesn't look pretty on it's own!).  I used a black piece of ribbon that I had left over from another project.  You could also use a string of beads -- I just liked the simple look of ribbon.

- Paint:  I used left over black spray paint for mine.  But I also saw that Home Depot has their own version of this light in silver.  So whatever you want goes!

TOTAL for me:  $29.34 (compared to $269.00!!)

On a side note:
(Did anyone else notice that the glass on the PB photo is a cake stand cover?  See???


And it's kind of like TWO Before & Afters (my absolute FAVORITES!!):

Before & After #1:


 

Before & After #2:



Isn't this like 100 times better than our oak-fluorescent light fixture??



I'm linking up to the parties in my left sidebar.



123 Hand-Me-Downers Shared:

malia said...

Hi From Met Monday... WOW I am blown away by the transformation. Great job-- it's beautiful and you saved so much $!!!
www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Very cool! You did a great job knocking off Pottery Barn. :)

A said...

WOW, you are awesome and must have a lot of patience. Looks great ;)

Amber D said...

Wow that is amazing, I have an idea of where to do something like that but that room in my house isn't getting any attention for a long time...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Unknown said...

That is so stinking awesome! ~Bridgette

Lana said...

LOVE IT! I've been shopping like crazy for chandeliers...this might just be the alternative! Gorgeous!

I'm so glad you came and posted a comment on my remodel or I would have never saw this! Thanks!

Blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, this is totally fabulous! I hope you'll be linking it to my party tomorrow, it would be a hit! :)

Love the Decor! said...

Oh my goodness beautiful!!
Thanks for stopping by I love meeting new friends!!!

Unknown said...

Are you kidding me! How clever is that?! Love it!
Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

That is amazing! Perfection!! Thanks for stopping by!

CraftyBrit said...

That is FABULOUS!!! Wanna come make me one?! I don't even know where I'd put it (I rent) but man, I want one!

Erin @ Lansdowne Life said...

How clever! And yes, about 1000 times better than the old oak fixture!

Heather said...

Wow, that is amazing! Very impressed.

Chrissy said...

That is awesome! I'm so impressed!

Arabella said...

This is SOOOO awesome! OMG - you're mighty talented. Found you through All Thingz Related and I'm so happy because this project & your blog are divine.

Have a great week.

Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea
"Celebrating the Coastal Lifestyle"

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

Wow, that is crazy awesome! I'm loving this. Thanks for the really great tutorial. I'm definitely going to bookmark this project.

Unknown said...

What a great idea/tutorial/end result!!! Your light looks awesome--and the price tag makes it even better!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog-I can't wait to spend some more time looking around here!

Potatoez n' Pineconez said...

This was very clever - It looks great and you saved alot of $$$

Donna said...

Hi Amanda,
This is such a cool idea! I love it! Watch out, Potter Barn! thanks so much for visiting!

Sylvia said...

Okay, I love this idea. I am sitting here looking at the fixture in my entry way and it is almost the exact same one. I will absolutely try this! One question, how in the world can the inside be cleaned? Fab, fab, fab idea.

Lisa said...

OMG, it looks amazing! You did a great job and it looks like you bought it from the store!

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

Your project is one of the most creative I have ever seen. You are a smart cookie.

Anonymous said...

COOL!! I am totally blown away at your amazing creativity and yay for all the money you saved!

Amber said...

That is awesome! So smart! Thanks for the great tutorial!

Kendra@Creative Ambitions said...

Wow!! That looks great... better than PB's!!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

oh my gosh! totally awesome! better than the pottery barn one!
great job, great tute!
gail

Unknown said...

That is so totally cool! I love it! I wanted a chandelier type light fixture for my laundry room but now I am wondering if something like this wouldn't do better? I am going to hang on to this idea! Thanks for showing me how :)

Debra@CommonGround said...

Great job and very creative of you to put this all together, and yea, right away I saw that that the glass was a cloche that usually costs about 35 dollars. Yours turned out super!
Debra

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Wow! I am just amazed. Truly.

Hot Foil Designs said...

I have that before light - I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. I'm totally stealing your idea. LOVE IT!

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

Wow! You are so creative! I love it and it's amazing how much it looks like the Pottery Barn light.

Sharon@Keen Inspirations said...

Wow! That is totally amazing! I love a PB knock off and this is probably the best I have seen! Congrats on making the top 10 at CSI!
Thank you for visiting my blog and your comments on my fire pit. I hope you'll stop back by soon!
Sharon@Keeninspirations

Heather* said...

Great thinking...I'm going to try something like this...thanks!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

Thanks everyone for the LOVELY comments!

Sylvia - I completely forgot to add this in my post - but I meant to:

To clean it you can either unhook the chains and just take the vase down and give it a quick wash or dust. OR, do what I did -- tape! I rolled some tape and let it pick up all the dust in the bottom. :)

Plowgian Page said...

Fantastic Knock Off!

mommyroo said...

I love it when I see people knocking off Pottery Barn...love their stuff, but it's sooo pricey!

Handbags*and*Pigtails said...

Wooeeee girl! YOu had me worried with all that brass gaudy-ness but you totally transformed it! No one would ever guess what it was before:) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah
HandbagsnPigtails.blogspot.com

Molly Anne said...

It's at least a zillion times better! My friend has those same oak flourescents in her house - they are awful!
Nice work and putting that together!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

What a crafty lady you are! It is super fantastic! This project would be great to share at my Tips & Tricks linky party going on right now or Time Travel Thursday - link going back up tonight.

I would like to invite you to visit the cottage, and join in on the fun for all three of my linky parties:

ASK THE YANKEE - MONDAYS
TIPS & TRICKS TUESDAY
TIME TRAVEL THURSDAY

You can get the details here:

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/06/brambleberry-cottage-linky-party.html

Hope to see ya there!
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Cristan said...

Oh my gosh! That turned out AMAZING!! Great job!!! :D

Leslie said...

WOW! Awesome job! I love it!

Sylvia said...

Thanks for answering my question, Amanda. I plan on totally copying your incredible design.

Jean said...

cle-ver!

Rhiannon said...

AMAZING! You are SO creative and talented!

Kirsten Wood said...

Ok do we share the same brain? I saw the exact same chandeleir, thought the exact same thing,love it but waaay too pricey. I have scoured all over looking for a vase that would work, and came out empty handed. This vase works perfect, I saw one like but was leary of the flat bottom but it acutally looks wonderful. Great job!!!! We ended up finding a 7-light chandeleir at Lowes for $23 on clearance. But were thinking of some sort of pendant fixture over our kitchen sink. Gosh I just love your knock off. You put my thoughts into fruition. Ok what are thinking right now? Maybe I can return the favor, lol.

Unknown said...

I'm all about PB Faux Design and LOVE what you did with this one. Fantastic!

BLJ Graves Studio said...

That is absolutely fabulous! Great job!!!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

I adore PB... and you did an A-Mazing knockoff job! I'm putting it in the Spotlight at the POPP Spotlight on Saturday.

Unknown said...

That is absolutely amazing! I want one for my house! I will feature this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "Featured" button.

Tamber said...

wow you are amazing. I wish that I could do that, but I don't know that I am that crafty. Wanna make me one?

Ronda Batchelor said...

Wow! I love it! I'm a new follower of yours now

Lori said...

Bee-autiful! I'm inspired to replace the flush mount fixture in our entryway now!

Unknown said...

I bow to the master!!!!! Its great!!!

Sawdust Girl said...

That is awesome. That's what I call thinking outside the box! Great job.

Ashlee Marie said...

What a great job! It looks fantastic!

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Love your great job and can't believe how much money you saved! Thanks for sharing on Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory

Maria said...

I don't think I have ever seen so many comments!!! Way to go, that is amazing! I hope your hubby is proud - he should be! You just saved tons of money! You should get to go spend all you just saved! :)

Two Shades of Pink said...

OK. I know you have gotten like a gazillion comments but you have to understand that the hallelujah chorus commenced somewhere over my head as I opened this link because this is the exact light I want for my bathroom remodel!!!! I almost tilted this chair backwards! You are a complete genius!

Unknown said...

amazing! Nice work!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Wow...what a great DIYer, I love it!

Rondell

blueskiesandgreenlights said...

Your chandelier looks way better than the one from PB. Very well done!!! I stumbled acroos your blog and could not stop browsing!!!! I will definitely keep reading.

I'm a newbie!!!

www.bsandgl.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend!!!

--Tabitha

Anonymous said...

Well I can see that I'm not the only one impressed. Beautiful job and I appreciate the informative tutorial. I'm going to follow you and would love for you to stop by my blog and if you see anything that inspires you, I would appreciate your doing the same.

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

That is one amazing light! What a creative mind! It looks like we started our blogs about the same time...I will enjoy following you as I too am fixing up my whole house.

Donene said...

Wow! That was fantastic!!! Great job!

Carolyn said...

Wow!!! At my last house, I stared at my light that looked exactly like the brass one that you bought and thought, what can I do with this? This is such a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!

Chris said...

Awesome! I have a VERY ugly chandelier hanging in my entry (looks very similar to the one you got from craigslist)and if I can change it into this I will be so THRILLED! Thanks for sharing this. :)

Orphaned Decor said...

I love your light!! I am going to try one for my kitchen. I actually have a cake cover that would be perfect and an ugly little light like yours1!! Yay. Thanks for the tutorial!!

Heather* said...

I just wanted to let you know the day I seen this I went out seeking for a light just like it and there it stood for only 1.00 at my fav thrifting spot, once I get it completed I am posting it with a link to here because you are sooo amazing

Embellished Bayou said...

Totally amazing, you did a great job! Thanks for posting the tutorial, too.

Life in Rehab said...

You Madam are a genius, and I just happen to have a cloche I've never found the right use for. Goodwill, here I come!

Judi B said...

Thank you for posting and sharing. I don't recall where I linked up to you from my blog hopping last week, but I came back to since I've added you to my blog roll. I have been hunting blogland for someone to show me the how of turning my hideous lighting into something remotely contemporary on the cheap. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your method and my foyer light should work well together. I'm looking for someone to explain and document the reworking the wiring part. Electricity scares me a wee bit.

Unknown said...

You're one of Our Favorite Thingz this week! Hop over and grab a tag if you'd like!
http://allthingzrelated.blogspot.com/

Proper Prim said...

Wow, that is the most creative thing I have seen in a long time. Looks absolutely gorgeous. I like yours better than the PB version. Great job.

Deb

Katie said...

Wow great job! That is so creative!

Aviva said...

Amazing job!! :)

FrouFrouBritches said...

AMAZING JOB! It's beautiful!

Carrie said...

Love them BOTH! Beautiful!

Unknown said...

WOW! What a great job!!! Thank you for the detailed instructions. Very creative and inspiring!!

christina said...

great idea! i love pottery barn! my husband and i are redoing our 1870's farm house all by ourselves so we can appreciate all of your hard work. keep it up!

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Great job! That turned out fantastic!

ClassiclyAmber said...

WOW! This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for! You did such a great job transforming that light to something stylish. AWESOME at pulling it off! Thanks for sharing!

http://classiclyamber.com/blog/

Anonymous said...

That's the best PB knock-off I've ever seen! Love it, love it, love it!

I'm having a vinyl art giveaway, all you have to do is comment to enter, hope you'll give it a try!

Stephanie Cameron said...

What a great job!! I love light fixture transformations...and this is one I've never seen before!

Arabella said...

Featured this project on my blog today!

http://sallyleebythesea.blogspot.com/2010/06/let-there-be-light_29.html

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

I am amazed. You are a genius!

Anonymous said...

Not many times am I blown away and right now I am blown AWAY!!! Excuse my french but DAMN GOOD JOB!!

I am going to have to think about doing this!

And I have to put you on my blog for everyone to see!!

Anonymous said...

http://hollysrollercoaster.blogspot.com/2010/07/by-now-you-should-know-that-i-love.html

InMyOwnStyle said...

Hi Amanda-

Wow, you had a vision and went for it. It looks exactly like the PB one. This type of light is not easy to knock-off, but you did a fabulous job.
My best - Diane

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

OMG this is fantastic! We have THOSE lights in our entryway, two of them and I've been wanting to change them forever but couldn't bring myself to pay $100s to get one I liked!!

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

xxoo

Karen said...

Dang, Girl, that is nothing but pure genius! LOVE IT!!!!

Restorative Living said...

This is just over the top. I love it!

Julie said...

Awesome job!! I've been searching for a pendant light to makeover, but I hadn't thought of doing this!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

You sure have a way of looking at the bright side of things. LOL Love this makeover! Super job!

Unknown said...

Really, really cool! Thanks for sharing!!

Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely said...

Over from CSI...LOVE this redo! So clever! You would never in a million years guess that light fixture didn't cost hundreds of dollars. Gorgeous!

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

Seeing that I am your 97th comment, you obviously know that this was a HIT (to say the least!)... but I will be the 97th person to tell you fantastic job! It turned out amazing and looks JUST LIKE the PB one!!!

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

WOW! That is a great makeover! I love it!

Kendra@My Insanity said...

Really impressed! I'm pretty intimidated by anything that might electrocute me. Great vision and execution!

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

Great job, Amanda! Very clever transformation. I love it when people have an idea of what they want and then make it happen!

Heather

Mandy @ mintnclandycreate said...

Wow! Are you serious? That is gorgeous!!!!!! Great job! Thanks for sharing your step by step.

Shaunna said...

Oh, my goodness. I, like you, LOVE the pb and am constantly knocking off some of their stuff. :) THis is fabulous and looks lovely in your home! Visiting you from CSI...great job! -shaunna :)

Anonymous said...

I like yours way better than the PB one! Great DIY!

Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous said...

Amanda,
Awesome transformation! and i love it more than PB's! way to go!
Linda

Krista@RustikChic said...

Fantastically amazing...great job!! :)

thriftytickle said...

Love it! Please come by and link up toVintage Suitcase Friday!

KimMalk said...

I've seen these lights before and wondered why they were so expensive--wonderful job! Smart you.

One Life Many Journeys said...

Two great projects out of one cheap find!!! Way to go. I love that plumbing metal stuff. I get in trouble for using my hubbies roll all the time. It is so handy.

Jori Hodgson said...

Where did you find the glass cake topper? I am having a hard time finding taller cake toppers!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Very creative. I like your version better.

Monique

Amanda @ Heart Tree Home said...

Wow, great transformation. And what a price tag!

Unknown said...

Awesome!

Cristie said...

Oh my gosh that is beautiful...looks like so much work. I love it!

Kirsten said...

Simply, simply brilliant!

Amy Taylor said...

You are amazing! I love this idea! I saw a lamp like this at Goodwill just last week and am kicking myself for not snatching it up!

www.justpleasedaspunch.blogspot.com

Kate Riley said...

Totally stunning, bravo girlfriend! Love your vision !!!
xo
Kate

Brandi Nell said...

Okay! I am in love! That is an AMAZING transformation! I am filing this one away, would look fab in my home! Thank you for sharing! P.s. I am popping over from Better After and am so happy I found you. My hubs and I have been fixing up our home room by room also! I would love for you to stop by our blog sometime!

xoxo,
Brandi Nell
brandinell.blogspot.com

Shannon @ {aka} | design said...

Oh my!!! I am SO going to do this! I visited someone on Kijiji to pick up a dresser and they had an old version of this lamp from like the 70's...but they wanted $75 for it (it had no ground wire and would need to be rewired to boot). I turned it down and have been looking ever since. I am linking to this on my site on the diy links. Stop by and check it out.
Shannon
www.akadesign.ca

Jessica @ Home and Faith said...

Wow! It's fabulous! I wanna make one for my home now! :) Looks simple!

Heidi said...

THANK YOU for your detailed tutorial--I already own the "old" one you bought....it is hanging in our foyer and I hate it. You have inspired me!

Melanie Beth said...

Just found your blog... I am LOVING this! I, too, have a pottery barn light fixture I daydream about... now I am wondering if there is a way I could make it. You did an amazing job, it looks beautiful!

Home Hinges said...

That is an incredible transformation. Way to be really inventive. I love how you used that horrid light and changed it to the one you wanted.
April @ homehinges.com

Greta said...

That is absolutely fantastic -- you have great vision, girl!!!!

The Keylors said...

Great job!!! Love it!

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