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make this: turn a lantern into a light fixture

Right behind making wreaths, lighting is one of my major nemesises (nemesii?). I try really hard, but often times fall short of finding great lighting at a great price. Sure, I’ve scored a few great deals here and there, but when you’re in the thick of a room makeover, nothing seems to fall into place. Most of my upcoming bedroom makeover was made, built, or otherwise transformed by me & Mr. SCC. I tried hard to find a light fixture I loved, but DUDE! it was not happening. After browsing some of my favorite catalogs, I kept being drawn to modern lighting. Really expensive modern lighting. Sigh. After bugging my sweet husband over and over again, he kept telling me that we didn’t have the right tools, or the supplies could be more than the light I was looking at. Pfffttt…

Which is why I was determined to figure out how to get a light for less than $20. Y’all know I’m a cheapskate. But, in the end, I won, because I figured out how to get the modern style light I was craving for a fraction of the price. Yes, this is the tale of how to turn a lantern into a light fixture.

DIY light from a lantern

DIY light from a lantern

You know that rush you get when you walk into Target? Ahhhh… me, too. It’s one of my happy places. Even if I’m broke, just browsing the aisles of pretty stuff helps charge my inner creativity.

So I walk into Target, already knowing that the light fixture I have is great, but it needs something. Because the Mr. didn’t really appreciate the industrial vibe of a naked bulb on a dangling fixture that clearly was meant to have a shade, but didn’t. I got it. I was totally in love with it. Him? Not so much.

Back to Target: I was roaming around the store, keeping my $20 budget in mind, browsing every clearance end cap I could find, hoping for a basket or a wicker trash can, or… well… something. Something that I could figure out how to make into a shade for the naked bulb.

After walking all over the store, I decided to look in the back corner, which is where the seasonal items are typically found in my store. I found a huge, amazing basket, intended for towels, etc. by the pool (I think), but it was $49. For a basket. Have mercy.

Because I’m persistent, I kept looking. And then the heavens parted and I noticed out of the corner of my eye a clearance sign, right there in the seasonal decor. Underneath was a lantern, one that made me want to run as fast as I could, yet I walked calmly because I just knew that even on clearance it would most likely be out of my price range. I was wrong.

$14.97 on clearance. SCORE! I looked it over carefully. It is/was a solar lantern, but upon close inspection I knew that it could be stripped of all the lanterny bits and made into a light. I was on a mission.

DIY light from a lantern

So we got home, and I told Mr. SCC I wanted to take it all apart. Yes, dear, a brand new lantern. I’m not going to wreck it — it’ll be gawgeous. Because he loves me, he took off the handle.

DIY light from a lantern

It’s a good thing he believes in my vision, because he had no more than put the screwdriver down before I had popped the top off and had him looking for the pliers.

DIY light from a lantern

Apparently Target didn’t want that candle-ish part to come out, because they couldn’t just use some regular screws. Oh no. They had to up the ante and use little bolts, complete with ridiculously tiny nuts that may or may not have been cursed during the removal process.

DIY light from a lantern

But, remembering that I’m a persistent girl, we took out the way too tiny bolts and flipped it upside down. Now we had a naked lantern to go with our naked bulb. Before we could join them in lighting matrimony, there was one more step, creating a hole for the socket. That was probably the easiest part of the whole process, because it took about 60 seconds to use a spade bit and make a path for the light.

DIY light from a lantern

On days when I wonder if my husband loves me, I reminiscence over things like this. Only a man who is truly in love will enable crazy decorating decisions.

DIY light from a lantern

In the end, I’d love to say he stood back in awe and declared the light “Gawgeous!” However, he did not. I did get a “Looks good,” as he jetted outside before I could find him another project. Which in his language is a two thumbs up. Works for me!

Oh! And look, there’s another sneak peek into my bedroom. It’s almost done… I’m such a tease! Don’t worry, though. We’ll talk more about it soon, and I’ve got tons of DIY projects to share from it, too!

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ says

    July 8, 2013 at 9:07 am

    You are one clever creator my friend…that’s all I have to say! A lighting fixture visionary!!! : ) Once again you rocked it! Hugs…

    Reply
  2. Cheryl Thornton says

    July 8, 2013 at 11:15 am

    Great idea!! I too – love the clearance aisles – and like your hubby – mine runs for cover sometimes when I new DIY project comes to mind!
    Can’t wait to see the rest of the room – love those curtains!

    Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG

    Reply
  3. Linda Cooper says

    July 8, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Very visionary! I envy you so much for being able to see the possibilities in the things you do. I keep trying to think outside the box but I need people like you to show me the way. I love your window treatments. Hope you will tell us more about them soon.

    Reply
  4. Theresa Winter says

    July 8, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Looks very modern/industrial! Waiting for the room reveal….lightly drums keyboard with impatience…..

    Blessings, Theresa @ Finding Grace, Going Mobile

    Reply
  5. Marie Blackburn says

    July 8, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Gina, besides being in awe of your creativity, I so enjoy READING your posts. You have such a casual ease and fun spirited flare with the written word – love it! Looking forward to seeing the room reveal. Oh, and love your Target lighting hack 🙂
    Marie@Interior Frugalista

    Reply
  6. Sass - aka - Kathy says

    July 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    “Looks good.” I get it. High praise from my hubby? “That’s all right.” Crazy. (and I get the dodging outside to escape the next brainstorm. That happens at our house, too!) Love your lantern.

    Reply
  7. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 8, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    To quote you, it is “gawgeous”…!…The heavens parted and the angels sang when you installed the light…Great job !!!

    Reply
  8. Jessica @ FourGenerationsOneRoof says

    July 9, 2013 at 2:05 am

    Very cool 🙂 pinned!

    Reply
  9. srpprcrftr says

    July 9, 2013 at 6:14 am

    I am so darned happy for you. That’s so awesome Gina, love it and it goes great with your incredible curtains. Did you make those? Oooooohhh, I love the pattern and colors.
    Very smart with the lantern. Isn’t it alot more fun to figure out how to do what you did than to shell out money you didn’t have? I just love reading projects/posts like this. And it looks fantastic. Happy Summer to you and yours.

    Reply
  10. Leslie Davis says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    Love it! SO, tell us more about the rest of the lighting. What kind of pendant parts did you use. Thanks!!!

    Reply
  11. Corinna Ashley @ For My Love Of blog says

    February 8, 2014 at 6:40 am

    You did a great job! The persistence truly did pay off. It looks great in the space.

    And i totally understand what you mean about the Mr., the other day mine said he really liked the zig-zag part of a rug DIY I’m finishing up. I was basically in shock that he had anything at all to say. Ha.

    Reply
  12. Mel says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    3 words, You’re A Genius!

    Long version, I have been wondering if this could be done and I found it randomly on Pinterest, you’ve just rocked mine and the hubs day xxxooo

    Reply
  13. Debbie says

    July 25, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    I am trying to do the same thing with a metal bucket from Target, what lighting did you use, that is waht I am having trouble with.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      July 28, 2014 at 9:30 am

      It’s just a pendant light from Lowe’s – they run around $20

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Lighting | inspiringhomestyle says:
    January 15, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    […] From Lantern to Light The Shabby Creek Cottage […]

    Reply

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