Like about a 1,000 people before me, I tackled Lindsey Adelman's DIY chandelier project for our living room. Before, the room donned the classic boob light. A new fixture was in order. I wanted something fairly modern but not too invasive, and I was hoping to keep the cost low. Read on for a couple more pics and how I tackled the project.
Back when I ordered all of my supplies, I had to follow the laborious supply list provided on the Lindsey Adelman site, but when I went to find the link to post here, they are now apparently offering a pre-assembled kit of all the supplies needed to take on this project. Lucky you. Not so lucky me.
I have also noted that at the time, the wire for the whole project had to be ordered from a separate site (now, apparently, the wire is also available from Grand Brass). I thought I was smarter than that and tried to buy it from my local big box hardware store. When they didn't have the 18 gauge wire called for, I went with a 16 gauge. No dice, people. This wire is simply much too thick to fit through the little joints and then be wired in the body. I concluded this only after spending about 2 hours putting it together and trying to jam those little wires into submission. I finally sucked it up, ordered the correct gauge, and was able to get this little guy together in about 45 minutes the second time around.
Like others, I hardwired this instead of creating a plug-in fixture as directed. At the suggestion of Katie at Five2Eight, I used my 16 gauge wire for this.
And finally, I used this canopy from Grand Brass. Since it had no holes for actually mounting it, I wasn't actually sure how I was going to get it to stay up there, but the old fixture I took down had a little spring loaded thing for just this kind of thing. Even though it's chrome and not the most seamless solution, it was an easy, fortuitous fix that I was willing to run with.
So, um, yeah. I played with electricity, and so far so good.
I have also noted that at the time, the wire for the whole project had to be ordered from a separate site (now, apparently, the wire is also available from Grand Brass). I thought I was smarter than that and tried to buy it from my local big box hardware store. When they didn't have the 18 gauge wire called for, I went with a 16 gauge. No dice, people. This wire is simply much too thick to fit through the little joints and then be wired in the body. I concluded this only after spending about 2 hours putting it together and trying to jam those little wires into submission. I finally sucked it up, ordered the correct gauge, and was able to get this little guy together in about 45 minutes the second time around.
Like others, I hardwired this instead of creating a plug-in fixture as directed. At the suggestion of Katie at Five2Eight, I used my 16 gauge wire for this.
And finally, I used this canopy from Grand Brass. Since it had no holes for actually mounting it, I wasn't actually sure how I was going to get it to stay up there, but the old fixture I took down had a little spring loaded thing for just this kind of thing. Even though it's chrome and not the most seamless solution, it was an easy, fortuitous fix that I was willing to run with.
So, um, yeah. I played with electricity, and so far so good.
and like many, I also want to try out this chandelier! i just need a home to put it in... it looks so good in your living room, it really does!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the light kits aren't more expensive than they are. I love the design. We built our house with only pot lights, other than ceiling fans in the center of each bedroom. I wish I had a light fixture centered over my dining table because this puppy would be going there!
ReplyDeleteI know! Shockingly affordable!
DeleteI love the bulbs you opted to put in. Do you know what size and style they are? They look frosted/opaque and smaller than the ones I see in the DIY instructions. How is the light that comes off the fixture?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate! They're 2-1/8 in. frosted white Edison bulbs also from Grand Brass (where all the other parts are from). They're the same size as the ones in the instructions, but frosted instead of clear. I was afraid the light from the clear ones would be too harsh. These bulbs are definitely more diffused and give off tons of light without being blinding. I hope this helps!
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