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.
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.
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.
STEP 2
Then, I drilled a large hole where the candle holder had been connected using a 1 1/4″ drill bit.
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.
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.)
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.)
STEP 7
Last, I screwed my bulbs into the sockets and hung the sconces on the wall.
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.
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!
You can also connect with me here:
Thanks for visiting!
-Erin
That’s a fantastic idea, Erin! Love the simplicity of it too. Pinning!
Thank you, Larissa!
Lovely upcycle Erin, so modern now and useful too!
Thank you, Jaime!
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!
Thank you, Kimm!
this is such a brilliant idea, erin! they look awesome!
Thanks so much, Cassie!
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. 🙂
Thank you Stephanie! I loved all of the things that you sent me!
This is such a cool idea! I love the way they turned out!
Thank you, Emily!
Erin! This is amazing! What a brilliant transformation!
Thank you so much, Tania!
Such a fun update, you are so creative! I would have never thought of updating those with edison bulbs. Great job!
Thanks so much, Stephanie!
What an awesome upcycle! It is so modern and useful now!!
Thank you, Anika!
Awesome transformation on your light sconces Erin.
Thank you, Shelly!
Girl you knocked this one out of the park! I’m so in love with this!
Thanks so much, Shanna!
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!
Thanks, Jessica!
seriously awesome Erin~ I would want to but that if I saw it in a store.
Thank you, Jillian!
SO much cooler now, Erin! XO
Thank you, Christy!
Great upcycle, Erin!
Thank you, Dena!
What an awesome idea! I love them – especially with the vintage-style Edison bulbs!
Thank you, Karen!
Gosh… they look SOOOOOO much better. Tres chic! I love LOVE the simple upcycle you game them. Genius! xx
Thanks Charlotte! And thanks for organizing the series!
What a cool idea! Love how they turned out!
Thank you, Bre!
What a nice refresh to a dated piece!!
Thank you, Karen!
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.
I’m sure you could find it in white, yes!