It is quite apparent, based on my home and blog, that I love updating my light fixtures. I have been told for years that putting fresh paint and changing out light fixtures are the easiest and least expensive ways to update your home. I find this to be completely true. I, of course, tend to make things complicated by wanting to use old materials instead of purchasing new ones!
At an antique mall in Missouri, I discovered these light fixtures and fell in love. Although the style is popular right now and many similar styles are available in stores, I loved that these looked a bit used and distressed. Instead of painting them over to make them perfect, I wanted to use them exactly as they were, splashed with burgundy paint, beat up and all. The only thing I did to prep the actual fixture for their new purpose was wash them with hot, soapy water.
After choosing the actual light fixture, I needed the following supplies.
Per Light fixture:
1- 12-inch long ¾” threaded pipe (both ends threaded)
1 – Porcelain light socket
2- ¾” floor flanges
1- Can flat black spray paint
1- Box set of wall anchors and screws
Steps to assemble:
- With your choice of color, use spray paint to paint all of the flanges and pipe. Let dry.
- Attach the standard porcelain light sockets to the inside of the light fixture.
- Attach one of the ¾ inch threaded pipe flanges to the top of the light fixture by threading the light socket to the flange.
- TURN OFF THE SWITCH AND BREAKER!!!
- Using screws, securely attach the second floor flange to the ceiling, making sure the electrical wires run through the center.
- Run electrical wires through the pipe and light socket and attach the pipe to the ceiling flange.
- The wires running through the pipe are what you will attach to the light socket. If your existing wires are too short, you may need some 12-gauge wire (these come in different colors to match your existing wiring, ex: white for the neutral wire, black for the hot, green for the ground. Just match up the colors and splice the wires together to make them longer. If you haven’t done this before, strip the rubber coating from the wire and twist the wire inside together. Secure with a wire nut and/or some electrical tape.
With your new light fixture installed and wired, it’s time to flip the breaker back on and test it out. We installed these fixtures over the island in our kitchen, so we used a very bright, white bulb. If you’re installing elsewhere, an older vintage style Edison bulb with a softer yellow glow is very nice!
Looking for more DIY Light Fixture Updates? Click here!
