Tuesday, April 19, 2011

DIY Repurposed Wire Basket Ceiling Light

I know repurposed light shades aren't exactly a new idea though I did kinda just make this one up as I went along.
I really wanted a hanging pendant in the nursery though the ceiling is just too dang low so I instead opted to transform a standard batten fix (flush mount) light.

I started with this cool old zinc basket:


And this $7 DIY batten fix light from the hardware store:


Of course, you don't actually need a complete fixture if you're planning to use your own shade so if you can buy the canopy section alone (that's the two-part brushed nickel bit as shown above) then go for it, though here down-under stuff like that can be kinda elusive so for $7 I wasn't too fussed purchasing the entire light.

Using bolt cutters I created an hour-hole in the base of the basket just large enough for the neck of my standard ceiling batten holder to fit through:


Standard Ceiling Batten Holder

So, what's an 'hour-hole' you ask? Oh, well that's just when it takes you an hour to cut a hole you thought would take five minutes.

Anyhoo, I then centered the lower part of the brushed nickel canopy from my DIY light fixture over the hour-hole in the basket and attached it by wrapping and tightly tying clear fishing line around a few of the basket spokes and the three screws in the canopy so they sat flushly together.

Next I simply attached my new light to the ceiling as per any normal batten fix light.
(Now, at the risk of sounding condescending :-) just in case someone wants further clarity, the steps are:
1. Unscrewing the lower sleeve of the batten holder
2. Covering the upper part of the batten holder with the top portion of the canopy
3. Holding the bottom portion of the canopy (with shade attached) in place beneath the top portion of the canopy
4. Screwing the lower sleeve back on to secure the whole thing to the ceiling).

To finish I decided to use a larger than usual decorative globe.
Oh, and I also removed the basket handles once I decided they looked just a little too 'wrong' up there on the ceiling.

So, now instead of the original boring old make-do drum shade:


Or this nice-enough-though-kinda-generic fixture:


I have this unique industrial style ceiling light:


So, this is probably not your typical nursery sorta light fitting though I really, really wanted one - and I'm sure once the room is complete it'll fit in just right (even though Luke mentioned more than once that it didn't look very "loving" for a baby's room).
Well, I'm sure we'll make up for that elsewhere :-)

Linking this project with some of these parties.



53 comments:

Trisha @ The Sweet Survival said...

This is awesome! I am sure it will look just perfect in your nursery!

NanaDiana said...

Kristine- Love it- and who says a nursery has to be all soft and super-sweet? You are going to be raising another DIYourselfer, right? Perfect setting then! xxoo Diana

Pine Tree Home said...

I think mixing a little edginess is the room is perfect. I saw a similar fixture at a boutique this weekend and they wanted couple hundred bucks. Way to DIY!

Elaine said...

Very cool, think I could borrow a bit of your creativity??

MommaHen said...

I've loved all the hanging lights made from baskets . But, I think I really like this flush mount one better. LOVE it!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Kristine, I love this idea! Your little one will grow up being able to think outside the box.
Hugs,
Sherry

Stephanie said...

Love it! You could always add fabric or hang pretties from it if you thought it wasn't too welcoming in the end. I think it is unique and unusual, I am sure it will look wonderful in the room when it is all done.

The Vintique Object said...

I found a wire basket that I wanted to use as a light fixture awhile ago, but couldn't figure out how to hang it! Now I know. You are awfully creative.

Jen said...

Are you kidding? That's all kinds of amazing!!

leah mari said...

Oh I really love it!

The Moerks said...

Awesome, very very cool.

Tammi said...

It is perfect...I can just envision all the shadows that will bounce around the room when the light is on :)
xx

ani's house said...

What a clever idea. Who would have thought!

One Cheap B*tch said...

I love it!

Jeanine

Olive Cooper said...

Love it Kristine. I have two chippy green vintage egg baskets this would work with. ♥O

Stacey@A Sort Of Fairytale said...

amazing! i love it...very cool that you are putting it in a nursery too!!

Anu@My Dream Canvas said...

This is so beautiful. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.

Lindsay said...

This looks fantastic!!! Very Restoration Hardware/Pottery Barn ish! Great how to!!

Delighted Momma

abeachcottage said...

Lovely. You did a great job with it (love the hour-hole explanation :) Thanks for stopping by Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays and joining the party!

Good Time Charlie said...

Love it! I keep trying to find a place in my home for a wire basket light fixture. This is inspiring!

everyinch said...

Kristine I love it - well done lady. I kinda like the idea of the wire basket in a kids room - I can see it tying in with other baskets for toys, etc and yes I'm sure the baby will get loads of love from you and Luke. (oh yeh, I finally set up a google account so I could be an official follower and set up my own blog in the meantime...)

SHERRY HART said...

I love it and I am sure that your nursery will look much better with it :)

Lauren said...

What an amazingly beautiful idea :) I loved the way it turned out :)

persia lou said...

It looks so great! I love the "hour hole" too... Haha...

Heaven's Walk said...

Hour-hole or not.....it's FABULOUS, Kristine! I just love this idea! You're much more clever than I when it comes to finagling something like this! :)

xoxo laurie

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

LOVE the basket light!

Lisa said...

Beyond gorgeous! I want it and I want it bad!!!

Down that Little Lane said...

Fabulous, absolutely fabulous x

Eva Marie Harp said...

You make my to do list. I love it.
http://www.couturiermommy.com/

Stephanie said...

I just love this light fixture - great job! And I think it will be darling in the nursery!

Coffee Chat said...

Very cool and way inexpensive compared to what some pendants cost these days!!

The Starr Family said...

Stop it now! That is amazing, creative, adorable, and absolutely enviable!

orchidlanedecor.com said...

Love it, very clever!

Suzy xxx

Jennifer said...

Wonderful, I love it!
Jenn @ www.simplehomemanaging.blogspot.com

meijo's JOY said...

That is cute..I would suggest that you can attach some alphabets or animals on the basket..the shadow will 'OHHH" the kids!

stefanie said...

its perfect!!! love it!

michele at hellolovelyinc said...

awesome, Christine. truly genius. i love how you made something so unique.

come visit soon.

michele

Janna Renee said...

I am diggin' those cage lights! they can go modern or rustic!!

brandy-son Zen master flash said...

Loving this trend right now. You did such a good job with yours. Your tutorial was awesome!

JunqueMagnet said...

Love, love, love this.Great job.Thanks for sharing.

Dana Stemig said...

Very cute idea. If you wanted to change it out some, you could weave ribbon in the basket and give it some color. This has given me an idea about doing the same thing on my ceiling fan light. It's very boring and this might perk it up a bit. Thanks for sharing.

Felicia said...

Looks awesome! Great job!


Would love for you to share at Calling All Crafters, today!
http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/04/calling-all-crafters-4th-edition.html

Becca said...

So so great Kristin! Thanks for linking! I'll be featuring this project on BCD tomorrow!

Molly said...

I really like it! Great job!

- Brittany said...

I love it! Now that is what I call thinking outside the basket. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

Brittany

Two Ginger Princes said...

That's fantastic! Thanks for posting this! I have a new "project" now!

Patricia Torres said...

That is simply fabulous!! Such a cleaver idea.. Totally loved it.. HOpe you'll visit me at oloursdekor.blogspot.com

Jenni said...

I LOVE it! I am now trying to think where in my house I can copy cat you. Great job. I can't wait to see the room finished!

Jenni@houseofwhiteinteriors.blogspot.com

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

Kristine, your light turned out great! I think its totally sweet for a nursery :D thank you for linking up with "Amaze Me Monday".

Julie {CalleLillyCafe} said...

Love this!!

Beth@The Stories of A2Z said...

I love it :). And I'm giggling because we have such similar taste! I did the same thing in my kitchen awhile back and then switched it out yet again (back to a drum shade covered in fabric). This looks gorgeous with the large bulb!

Anonymous said...

I made this several yares ago, then moved. The new buyer wanted it. I used it in my laundry room last time. I am making another for my kitchen.........

Debbi@Texas said...

I didn't read through ALL the comments posted, but I immediately thought this would make a very cute "fixed mobile" for the baby; just hang cute things from the wire rim that float and flutter; change it up as needed; I think it's adorable