Some call it cheap, but frugal sounds so much more complimentary. I am quite stubborn when it comes to parting with my money. I also like the challenge of finding something that I really like and then figuring out how to do it myself. Sometimes it causes more undue stress in my life than necessary, but most times it is well worth the effort.
I needed to find something to replace the bare bulb ceiling light in my son’s office/closet, I wanted something that was a little vintage-esque.
I needed to find something to replace the bare bulb ceiling light in my son’s office/closet, I wanted something that was a little vintage-esque.
I was inspired by Restoration Hardware’s industrial pendant lighting, the Cage Filament Pendant light in aged steel for $129
Cage lights were commonly used in the 1930′s in workshops.
Supplies you’ll need:
Other than the metal lamp guard (#1) and the antique twisted wire (#4), most of the supplies can be found in a home improvement store. I provided links for the items that can be found online.
- Metal Lamp Guard
- Nickel Socket (as pictured) or a Porcelain Socket
- Edison Bulb (Lowes and Home Depot also sell these now)
- Antique twisted wire
- Ceiling canopy if you are going to have it hardwired but you could make this a plug-in lamp with this antique style plug-in.
- Oil rubbed bronzed hammered spray paint in brown
- Wire strippers and electrical tape
Supplies (including the bulb) should end up being around $35-50, depending on shipping cost. I ended up spending a little more because I bent the nickle socket and had to buy a porcelain keyless socket adaptor at Home Depot. I ended up liking the porcelain socket better because it has a metal ring on the top. I was able to loop the wire around the ring, therefore the wiring is less likely to come apart.
I don’t claim to be an expert electrician so I won’t go into the nitty gritty details on wiring and installation. But I can give you these links on how to put it together and how to install it.
The wire cage from comes in black, but it looks a lot more like the inspiration photo once it is primed and spray painted. I chose Rust-oleum’s Hammered Metal spray paint in dark bronze.
I also lightly brushed on silver metallic craft paint to give it some more dimension. Once it is all put together, the cage simply tightens onto the socket with a couple of screws and washers.
So much better than a standard bare bulb ceiling light!
I think this pendant light adds just the right amount of vintage industrial charm to our son’s office in a closet.
If you like vintage-industrial style, you may also like to check out these tutorials:
I linked this up to some of my favorite blogs such as:
**Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links**
Hi! I came over from Pinterest (also an obsession of mine!). While clicking through, I saw where it said you are from Spartanburg. I’m from Greenville. Congratulations on starting your blog! I’ve really wanted to start one as well, but haven’t been brave enough yet! Your posts are great! I’m following you and am looking forward to reading more!
Awesome! I’m excited for you! It took me a while to finally take that first step but I knew that if I didn’t, I’d kick myself a year later. Lol! Let me know when/if you get your blog started and we can get advice from each other. Thanks so much for following me. It motivates me to keep the blog rolling!
Hi! We chatted for a minute at the alt summit class last night. what a great idea, it looks great! I love that you are doing your own projects. Its something I try to do too (when I have time!)
Hi Julia! I remember you! That was an awesome class! I’m so glad that a friend told me about it. I’ll definitely be back. I meant to ask how often they offer free classes. Thanks for stopping by and the compliment. I have a great respect for bloggers. This is hard work! I’ll have to check out your blog as soon as I get the chance!
love this project. sharing with my readers and clients via Pinning!
- {darlene} @ http://www.fieldstonehilldesign.com
Thank you, Darlene! I was looking through your portfolio (gorgeous, btw!) an recognized some vision design boards that I had pinned a while back! I’m following you on Pinterest, now!
This is such a great project – I’m thinking of doing this over my kitchen island. How intense is the light through this since there’s no shade to diffuse the light?
This would look great over an island! When I read the reviews on the website before I bought the bulbs, several people commented how bright the 60 watt bulbs are. I personally like it the way it is. Someone suggested either putting the lights on a dimmer or buying the 40 watt bulbs instead.
Oh I love this! I need a light for my laundry room and this might be the answer. Thanks:) New follower. I’d love to see you over at my blog.
Hey, Nancy! I just stopped by your blog. I love your bathroom remodel! I left a comment and became a follower. Thanks for following me!
Very cool! I hope Home Depot in Canada has the Edison bulbs now… I’m needin’ one now for sure!
I love the light fixture, it’s wonderful and looks perfect with the barn wood!
Just found this from Hometalk. Awesome. Truly.
Stopping by from your feature at Common Ground to pin your light. Awesome!
~Bliss~
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Increased use of robotics and other computerized control equipment creates more work for industrial electricians, as they are the ones who install and maintain the equipment. Technological change usually results in a greater demand for industrial electricians.
Industrial Electrician
Thank you so much for posting this. It’s been very helpful to me. I’m actually trying to replicate it and have already spray painted it, and now would like to add the metallic paint. When I went to the craft store, the only thing I saw was high gloss metallic gray, and that didn’t seem right to me. Do you remember what you used?
Thanks again!
Hey, Laura! The exact color that I used was Folk Art’s 667 Metallic Gunmetal Gray, which is a dark gray. If you can’t find it, you could add a few drops of regular black craft paint to their lighter metallic gray called #662 Sterling Silver. I’m glad you were able to get the other parts for the light!
I needed to thank you for this great read!! I certainly enjoyed
every little bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new things you post…