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DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: #SwapItLikeItsHot

April 6, 2016 By Erin Spain 40 Comments

It’s that time again! Time for another edition of #SwapItLikeItsHot, a fun series where a bunch of bloggers go thrift store shopping and pick up random items that cost $10 or less, and then ship those items off to another blogger and let them work their magic. Each blogger receives their items and makes them over or repurposes them, and shares the before and after with you! This is my second time participating, and you can check out the last round here. (Thanks so much to Charlotte from Ciburbanity for organizing this fun series!)

Stephanie from Casa Watkins sent me a few fun items to play around with.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces & items I received for the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

I have some ideas for the glass bowls too, and the little goblets are really cute and just need to be polished a bit. But due to time constraints, I decided to focus my energy on the sconces. I decided to turn the candle sconces into upcycled wall sconces with modern Edison bulbs. I’ll share a tutorial since similar sconces are pretty easy to find, so you can modify this method to work with whatever type of sconces you happen to have.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

PROJECT SUPPLIES:

  • 2 Wall Candle Sconces
  • 2 Lamp Kits (I used these IKEA Hemma cord sets from Amazon)
  • 2 Edison Light Bulbs (I ordered these from Amazon)
  • 1 1/4″ Forstner Drill Bit
  • Drill
  • Ceramcoat Chalk Finish Paint in “White Lace”
  • Paintbrush
  • Sanding Block
  • Wood Filler
  • Putty Knife
  • E-6000 adhesive

HOW TO MAKE DIY UPCYCLED WALL SCONCES

Although these were already candle sconces, I upcycled them into functioning light sconces. I opted to make plug-in sconces rather than hard-wired, but you could certainly hard wire them if you wanted to.

STEP 1

First, I unscrewed the candle holder attachment and removed it. I also pulled off the little peg at the bottom.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

 

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

STEP 2

Then, I drilled a large hole where the candle holder had been connected using a 1 1/4″ drill bit.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

STEP 3

Next, I used wood filler to patch the hole where the peg had been inserted. I allowed it to dry and then sanded it smooth.

 

STEP 4

Next, I bent the prongs on the back of the sconces holding the mirror in place, and removed the mirrors.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

Then, I promptly broke one of the mirrors which was the deciding factor in not using them. Haha. So if you want to use the mirrors, maybe don’t remove them and just tape over them while you paint instead.

STEP 5

Then, I painted them using 2 coats of Ceramcoat chalk finish paint in “White Lace”. (Optional: You could wax it for added protection.)

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

STEP 6

After the paint had dried, I inserted the plug end of the lamp kit down through the hole I had drilled. I rested the socket part of the lamp kit in the hole. I recommend adhering it with E-6000. You can use some painter’s tape to hold the socket in place while the adhesive dries. (I haven’t done this yet, but plan on it.)

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

 

STEP 7

Last, I screwed my bulbs into the sockets and hung the sconces on the wall.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

 

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

Note: I found that these bulbs get very hot. I think they would be fine in a regular lamp but I don’t know if I’ll continue using them this close to the wall. I’m on the hunt for some new bulbs to try out (this project was a total experiment). I love the way these look, but I’m thinking LED might be a better option.

DIY Upcycled Wall Sconces: Created as part of the #SwapItLikeItsHot series!

Now head over to Prodigal Pieces to see the goodies I sent to Larissa!

Here is this week’s schedule, so be sure to check out the other bloggers’ fun projects!

MONDAY

Hearts & Sharts / 58 Water Street / I Am a Homemaker / Prim and Propah
Create & Babble / Windgate Lane / Gourley Girl and Guy / Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza

TUESDAY

Confetti Style / Blue i Style / Polished Habitat / Two Purple Couches / Run to Radiance
Restoration Redoux / Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer / Our Southern Home

WEDNESDAY

Erin Spain / Prodigal Pieces / That’s My Letter / Southern State of Mind / Roadkill Rescue
Always Never Done / Year of Serendipity / Casa Watkins

THURSDAY

Two Thirty-Five Designs / Finding Silver Pennies / Ciburbanity
The House of Wood / Decor Adventures / Bright Green Door

FRIDAY

While They Snooze / The Charming Farmer / Primitive and Proper / A Designer At Home / BrePurposed / Home Made By Carmona / Domicile 37 / Evey’s Creations

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE POSTS:

  • Swap It Like It’s Hot: Thrift Store Transformations
  • DIY IKEA TARVA Hack
  • DIY Geometric Pendant Light
  • or check out my project gallery here!

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

Filed Under: DIY, Home & DIY Blog, Lighting, Popular Posts, Thrifting, Tutorials, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says

    April 6, 2016 at 7:16 am

    That’s a fantastic idea, Erin! Love the simplicity of it too. Pinning!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 10:28 pm

      Thank you, Larissa!

      Reply
  2. Jaime Costiglio says

    April 6, 2016 at 7:26 am

    Lovely upcycle Erin, so modern now and useful too!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:15 pm

      Thank you, Jaime!

      Reply
  3. Kimm at Reinvented & Roadkill Rescue says

    April 6, 2016 at 8:01 am

    Very cool! I love the combo of modern and traditional. I have updated several light fixtures by adding edison bulbs, they really up the style. Have a great day Erin!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:15 pm

      Thank you, Kimm!

      Reply
  4. cassie @ primitive & proper says

    April 6, 2016 at 9:14 am

    this is such a brilliant idea, erin! they look awesome!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Thanks so much, Cassie!

      Reply
  5. Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says

    April 6, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Super cute Erin!!! I wouldn’t have thought to make that with them!!! I’m going to have to rethink these sconces next time I see them. 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you Stephanie! I loved all of the things that you sent me!

      Reply
  6. Emily says

    April 6, 2016 at 11:10 am

    This is such a cool idea! I love the way they turned out!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you, Emily!

      Reply
  7. Tania // Run to Radiance says

    April 6, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    Erin! This is amazing! What a brilliant transformation!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you so much, Tania!

      Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    April 6, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    Such a fun update, you are so creative! I would have never thought of updating those with edison bulbs. Great job!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks so much, Stephanie!

      Reply
  9. Anika says

    April 6, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    What an awesome upcycle! It is so modern and useful now!!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thank you, Anika!

      Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    April 6, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Awesome transformation on your light sconces Erin.

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thank you, Shelly!

      Reply
  11. shanna gilbert says

    April 6, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    Girl you knocked this one out of the park! I’m so in love with this!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks so much, Shanna!

      Reply
  12. Jessica Gourley says

    April 6, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    LOVE the update and the bulbs, especially next to the card catalog, but, safety first! Can’t wait to see if you’re able to use the other items!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Thanks, Jessica!

      Reply
  13. jillian says

    April 6, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    seriously awesome Erin~ I would want to but that if I saw it in a store.

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 6, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you, Jillian!

      Reply
  14. Christy @Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says

    April 6, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    SO much cooler now, Erin! XO

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 8, 2016 at 8:17 pm

      Thank you, Christy!

      Reply
  15. Dena says

    April 7, 2016 at 8:31 am

    Great upcycle, Erin!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 8, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Thank you, Dena!

      Reply
  16. Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says

    April 8, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    What an awesome idea! I love them – especially with the vintage-style Edison bulbs!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 8, 2016 at 10:44 pm

      Thank you, Karen!

      Reply
  17. Charlotte Smith says

    April 9, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Gosh… they look SOOOOOO much better. Tres chic! I love LOVE the simple upcycle you game them. Genius! xx

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 9, 2016 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks Charlotte! And thanks for organizing the series!

      Reply
  18. Breanna says

    April 10, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    What a cool idea! Love how they turned out!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 10, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      Thank you, Bre!

      Reply
  19. Karen @ year of serendipity says

    April 12, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    What a nice refresh to a dated piece!!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      April 12, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      Thank you, Karen!

      Reply
  20. Barbara Warner says

    July 10, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    I really like your electrified wall sconces. They are very cool. However, I’m wondering if Ikea/Amazon has those light kits with a white cord??? I’d prefer a white cord hanging down the wall.

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      August 15, 2018 at 10:02 pm

      I’m sure you could find it in white, yes!

      Reply

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