While posting last week about all of my and Robert’s lovey doveyness, I was working a little behind the scenes on some small projects that I had pushed off to the side when I figured I would have the time. I’m starting to figure out that with home improvement, you never really do have the time. You just have to make it happen.I’m super excited about this one though since I feel like I’m finally wrapping my brain around what is really my style. One of the first things that I wanted to do when we moved in was change the lighting. But that seemed ridiculous considering everything we had was new. Still, I didn’t want to settle for something I didn’t like. So, as usual, I worked with what I had and came up with this:
DIY Industrial Rustic Pendant Light
This was so easy that I’m probably insulting your intelligence by even bothering with a tutorial. Just in case you wanted to know what type of paint I used and all of that though, I did one anyway.
A few weeks ago when I was wandering around Marshall’s oohing and ahhing over a bajillion things as I usually do, I saw this decorative industrial sphere in the home department. I have no idea what I would do with it all by itself, but the moment I laid eyes on it, I knew exactly what its potential could be.
I couldn’t argue with a $20 lighting upgrade. (And I figured out a way to make these for even cheaper than that, but I’ll share that little trick later. This sphere was my guinea pig for now.)
First, my sweet sweet hubby (is it too obvious I’m trying to butter him up here for another DIY project?) took down our existing builder-grade foyer light. There was nothing wrong with it. It just wasn’t my style…too modern for my taste.
I used my go-to favorite primer that adheres to anything. Zinsser Primer- Sealer Stain Blocker is my jam!
Spray that puppy down all over with a coat. After an hour or two, flip over to spray the other side. If you have a way to hang it, you can do this step all at once but sadly we have no trees to do this with.
After the primer was dry with a nice even coat, I swept on two coats of Rust-oleum Satin in Espresso.
Once it was all dried, I just hung the sphere from the spindles, and voila! Easy industrial rustic pendant light.
To make it look a bit more expensive, I added an Edison bulb that was $6 at Lowe’s. It really adds a lot.
Now, if only I had a foyer table and some wall decor. I have to remind myself that this home decor stuff is a marathon and not a sprint.
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Great idea and light !
Just found your site, and I LOVE it! Our kids are both in high school now (we homeschool), and my hubby and I in the early planning/dreaming stages of our “empty nest-stage” home in the country. I know that I need to keep my modern farmhouse dreams anchored with a DIY one-income budget mindset. You are an inspiration for that! Your style is lovely and family friendly. Wonderful! Blessings.
Thank you so much! Your sweet comment just made my day. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. Best of luck with the new chapter ahead!
Hi Lauren!
Just discovered your blog and absolutely LOVE it! You and I must be sisters separated at birth- our styles are too similar! I love this light fixture, but I can’t find any mention of how to DIY it from scratch like you alluded to in your post. Any chance you could share the secret? My entry hall would love you for it!
Thanks!
Jenn
Thanks, Jennifer! So glad you’re liking it! You can DIY it using a cheap pendant light like this one as the base: http://www.lowes.com/pd_586865-43501-ROC91216-18-1_1z0vgc3__?productId=50279777&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1
Love that fixture! You mentioned that you would share how to make them even cheaper….didn’t see that info. anywhere. I would love to buy that sphere, but since it is at Marshall’s, I am assuming that they don’t have the same things all the time…do you know of anywhere else to get it, or do you know that Marshall’s actually carries that sphere?
Thanks,
Shelli
Ohhh my goodness. I totally forgot to share that. Here’s a tutorial for how you can make one with embroidery hoops: http://akadesign.ca/embroidery-hoop-orbs/
Not sure where else you could buy them though except to keep a lookout at Homegoods/TJMaxx/Marshall’s.
How do you hold the sphere on the hanging part? I can’t see how it’s attached.
Thanks!
Our existing light had spokes on it already from holding up the original shade.
How wide is your sphere? I found one on a garage sale site that is 10″ wide and am hoping it will work!
Hi Holly! Mine is 12″ wide, but I think 10″ could still work. 🙂
You rocked here girlfriend. I love, love, and love this light fixture you made. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much!