See, I told you my old lights were boring. And dirty. Don’t judge, m’kay? I found them at Walmart for less than $10. We’ve had ours a few years, but you can still find them in store or online. They work great, but are just… well…. not me.
Then I found schoolhouse style replacement globes at Lowe’s for only $5. The DIY angels started singing and I think I may have fainted. I definitely made Mr. SCC stand back and hold them up high so I could look to verify that I loved them. He may or may not have gathered snickers from other fellas roaming around. Good thing he has a deep, unwavering love for me – especially when I ask him to do silly stuff in the middle of man world. I scooped one up and skipped home, knowing that I had a plan.
He removed the old light fixture from the ceiling and I taped it up, because I wanted the base black instead of white.
A few coats of chalkboard paint later, the base was black. Why chalkboard spray paint? 1. I had it on hand. B. I really love the color. Works for me!
When it was dry, I put it up and replaced the round globe with the new (and much improved) globe. Ah! It doesn’t take much to make my day – but a $5 five minute DIY farmhouse light always does the trick. Especially when I can upgrade a light I already have to something that screams farmhouse style.
Heidi Smith says
March 26, 2013 at 10:49 amThese are AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing them. Can you tell me what the diameter is of the neck on the globe? It’s not listed on the website and I’m trying to determine if it will fit on our current fixtures. I know there are more than one standard size for the globe replacements. Thanks again!
Gina Luker says
March 26, 2013 at 12:42 pmHi Heidi,
I think mine is a 4 inch neck, but there is a larger version for $6 that is very similar.
Thanks!
The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ says
March 26, 2013 at 12:21 pmThis is so fabulous!!!! I Love it and sooooo affordable! Great Job my friend…virtual applause : ) hugs…
Mary says
March 26, 2013 at 12:22 pmGenius makeover … LOVE it!
Dana says
March 26, 2013 at 1:45 pmNow I’m super jealous I don’t have any ugly fixtures that I could spruce up with these globes 🙁
Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap says
March 26, 2013 at 2:05 pmlooks great!
Peggy says
March 26, 2013 at 5:39 pmok.. i need to pick your brain sometime… i am so over the light fixture i picked out for our kitchen 3 years ago when we moved in but don’t want to spend the money to replace the whole thing. hmmm maybe i have a solution after all. but do you mind if i still contact you?
Gina Luker says
March 26, 2013 at 5:47 pmSure! Email me – I will do my very best to help all I can!
Red Gate Farm says
March 26, 2013 at 6:08 pmHmmm I think my very tired bathroom ceiling light will be getting a treatment similar to this!
~Chris
Luly says
March 26, 2013 at 6:42 pmLove it!
Lisa Hogan says
March 26, 2013 at 7:37 pmLove it! Wat a quick and easy update!It is amazing what a little spray paint can do. It is an upcycler’s best friend 🙂
Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says
March 26, 2013 at 9:22 pmFANTASTIC! It’s those little touches that I think really pull a room together — this is such a great idea and painting the base black really sets it off!
Krista thehappyhousie says
March 27, 2013 at 12:08 amFabulous idea… I have seen those many times in stores and have often wondered how to use them. I love school house style fixtures – we were so thankful that the previous owners of our home had changed every light fixture in the house over to this style before we bought it. But we still have a fan… hmm, I wonder if it would work to convert a fan with the school house style globe… might have to try that. Thanks for the little tutorial and hint!! It looks so amazing!
Krista @thehappyhousie.com
Krista
Susan Jackson says
March 27, 2013 at 12:12 amLove it. When I remodeled our kit hen I used farmhouse lights and did the same thing. Painted a plain base and bought a huge school house shade real cheap and I love it. Susan @ throughmyporchwindow.blogspot.com
Libby says
March 27, 2013 at 3:18 amThanks for this makeover. Going to try it this weekend
Catherine says
March 27, 2013 at 6:02 pmI may have to do that this weekend! I have 2 fixtures I can swap out, and I love the look! Thanks!!
Tanya Runkle says
March 28, 2013 at 12:05 amHi Gina!
All of my boring “boob” lights need some love. This is a super thrifty redo, I love the chalkboard paint too!!
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Linda@Coastal Charm says
March 28, 2013 at 1:21 amOh my…I am on my way to Lowes…it looks great!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Dria says
August 11, 2013 at 8:34 amWow what a savings! I love these style lights amazed at how inexpensive you got this look for, fantastic job!
Tess S. says
December 29, 2013 at 7:32 pmOh my!!! The “Boob” light in my WC needs replacing. This is the greatest idea I’ve seen in a long while. I must go and investigate the possibilities!
Natalie says
December 9, 2014 at 5:53 pmI am SO doing this! Thank you for saving me lots of Moola!
xoxo,
Natalie
Gracie Beth says
October 14, 2015 at 7:21 pmTHANK YOU! I just did this to 6 lights in my home! I was looking at spending at least $30 a fixture replacing these lights! One quick trip to lowe’s and I got rid of the “ugly giant light bulbs”
Lisa @ Farmhouse On Boone says
March 1, 2016 at 11:17 amI am so doing this X 3!!
Judith Best says
November 17, 2016 at 2:09 pmDid this over my kitchen sink….came out great and was cheap and easy!!
Gina Luker says
November 17, 2016 at 2:24 pmGood for you Judith!
Cathy Cornell says
March 23, 2019 at 8:45 amGreat idea Gina! Did you sand or rough up the surface of the fixture before spray painting and if so, sand paper, steel wool or what?
Gina Luker says
March 25, 2019 at 11:40 amHi Kathy, No I didn’t with this particular project but if it needed it I would use sand paper 🙂