DIY Light Fixture

Remember when I visited Meg in February? I bought this before I even had a house to use it in.

My mom did the same thing before she bought their lake house and now she has a really cool chandelier hanging above the dining room table. It must be good luck to purchase something for your new house before it's even yours.

Well - I told you I had grand plans for it and I did.

Remember this guy?

Not Matt - what's hanging above him. We have a super tall entry ceiling that is highly visible from the main part of the house and that baby had to go. I had dreams of my antique chicken coop becoming a new light fixture. I wasn't sure how it was going to work but a girl can dream right?

I was inspired by things like this found via Pinterest...

First up, I had to line the basket somehow.

My mom had some burlap that we decided to use as the lining. First we tried making a pattern. It didn't work AT ALL.

My mom finally figured out we should cut the fabric on the bias (whatever that means - I'm not an expert at sewing or crafts) and use a glue gun to attach it.

We started and it looked good!

Woo hoo! Now for the light part. HM. I searched around online for light kits, old chandeliers, etc for weeks and came up with nothing. Then I remembered our old friend.

We tore him apart.

I saved his inner workings...

I had ideas for the glass part but Matt made me throw it away :(

Next I had to figure out how to actually attach it to the basket. The hole at the top was too large for it to stay inside as it was. I went to the hardware store and bought some plywood and my grandpa (it was a family project for sure) helped me cut a circle to attach to the light so it would stay inside. Please excuse my outfit - this is what I look like at the lake.

It required an assortment of tools.

Hooray!

I used screws to attach it to the original fixture and then spray painted the whole shebang.

I then used rope to wind around the chain.

Isn't she purty?

Then I had to wait a month until they were done with construction for the big reveal. What do you think?

I love it!

xo