This is the story of making an old basket into a pendant light using just this $10 thrift store basket that we found along with two other simple supplies.
Here she is all wired up and hung in front of the fireplace.
But allow me to further illuminate the basket to light conversion process. Har-har.
The first step was heading over to a local lighting outlet (The Decorating Outlet) to check out any existing pendant lights that they were selling cheaply (that way we could convert one into a pendant for our big basket shade). While we were there we saw this awesomesauce basket pendant that was selling for $322 (originally $460). Wowsers.
Feeling inspired, we poked around for any affordable pendant light that we thought would work with the rest of our kitchen (we wanted a simple clean-lined canopy, an oil-rubbed-bronze finish, and ideally something with a shade since that meant it would come with a piece that would hold that shade up – and therefore could hopefully be converted to hold our basket up instead).
Enter this dude, stage left (he’s the one on the left with the $19 price tag). Sure he’s not much to look at in this pic with that crazy yellow shade, but the simple canopy, oil-rubbed bronze finish, and the fact that it had a screw-on-shade-holder-thingie (that’s a technical term) under the yellow shade = jackpot.
So for $19 we made him ours. Ikea actually sells light kits that we love for $6, but since we wanted something in an oil rubbed bronze finish it would have been an extra $7 for spray paint to make it that color and then we’d need to buy a canopy (which can usually be found for around $6 but sometimes they’re a bit more ornate than we’d like) so the simple all-in-one-ness of the $19 pendant made it the perfect choice. Here are all of our supplies laid out on the table (total spent = $35, including the secondhand basket).
I’m sure you’re wondering what those silver donut-looking things are, so allow me to explain. They’re actually pipe plates from the hardware store for $3 a pop (the things you usually see at the bottom of a pipe to finish things off where it meets the floor, the wall, or the base of your cabinet). The issue was simple. We needed something round and solid to keep our pendant light from slipping through the opening of the basket…
… so we bought them in two sizes since we didn’t know which one would slide through and which one would hold. In other words, we needed something big enough to support the basket and not slip through the opening (the one below was too small, so it did).
We also needed something that was the right size to catch on our light bulb part of the pendant (the one below was too big, so it didn’t hold).
But when we swapped them and tried the bigger one on the basket, it wedged right into the hole at the top of the basket and held tight instead of sliding through like the smaller one had.
And when we tried the smaller one on the end of the pendant, it caught nicely under the piece that used to hold the old glass shade on, so we knew it should hold the basket up.
So because we needed the small one to catch on the pendant and the larger one to catch on the basket, we realized that if we stacked them and then used the plastic ring that came with the light to hold the old shade up (to hold those two pipe plates in place) it would essentially hold the basket up. So I just screwed on that plastic shade-holding ring…
… and said a few silent prayers to the basket light gods. Then it was time to hold it up to see if it worked (while channeling Zoolander apparently). Hootie hoo, we had basket light liftoff!
And for anyone wondering if it’s a total fire hazard, thankfully paper lampshades or lanterns and other woven-ish basket lights are totally safe as long as the bulb doesn’t rub against them and everything has room to vent (so it doesn’t get crazy hot like it would if everything were enclosed or touching). See how the bulb hangs down and away from the shade so there’s no point at which it touches or even comes close enough to get the basket hot? That’s the key.
We love that it looks so clean from the underside (when we were trolling the aisles of the hardware store we were worried we might not find something quite as seamless-looking, so we’re really thankful).
That whole how-we-did-it rundown probably sounded a lot more complicated than it really was, so we made this quick video of the process, which is much much easier to understand (even on mute if you’re at work). It was a super quick process that took less than four minutes once we gathered our supplies.
Then it was just time to wire it up in the place of the flush mount fixture that we grabbed at Ikea a while back (which we think we’ll reuse in the hallway to replace an old boob-ish light that’s hanging there). Voila! Basket light in the hizzouse.
We love how it looks with our oil-rubbed bronze pendants over the peninsula. Glass and woven natural fibers are one of our favorite combinations and the simple oil-rubbed bronze wiring ties them together so they look related without being too matchy-matchy. It’s amazing how much more defined the “fireplace zone” now feels with its own little feature fixture. And thankfully it’s nearly seven feet from the ground, so even our tall family members can pass under it without a problem.
My favorite is getting to enjoy it twice thanks to the reflection of it in the mirror that I snatched from the guest room. It’s also really pretty to see it layered in front of the hallway wall. Here’s a shot from the peninsula. It’s amazing how the new chair, the mirror from the guest room, and the new basket lamp completely upgraded that little corner of the kitchen. So glad we finally started paying attention to that zone (especially since Clara spends a ton of time playing on that rug or reading with us in the chair).
Here’s the view through the opening in the dining room:
And here’s the view from the cooking area of the kitchen. The layered, textured look that the basket light brings is really nice – it even ties into the dark floor and the new mirror so there’s more of a “nautral” vibe going on, which is a nice foil to all the modern touches like the corian counters and the floating shelves.
And of course it’s fun to compare what the room looked like when we bought the house:
As for what our new light looks like when it’s on, with a clear bulb it’s a party. Check out that awesome light streaming out of it. Of course if we went with a frosted eco bulb (like an LED or a CFL) we wouldn’t get those fun lines, but we’ll probably upgrade when we get to the store to check out our options. For now we just popped a clear bulb in there since we had it laying around from the old light in our hall bathroom that we replaced.
So that’s the story of our $35 basket light thanks to a $10 thrift store basket, two $3 hardware store parts, and an oil-rubbed bronze pendant from a local outlet for $19. Might be our favorite light we ever made. Well, I guess it’s tied with our clothespin chandelier and the office pendant. Have you guys been adapting/upgrading any lights lately? Or turning random things like a basket into a pendant? Or laying on the floor with the camera aimed at the ceiling to capture pics from below? Feels weird, right? Clara totally came up to me and laid right down beside me and said “what is we doing mommy?” Adorable.
Update #1: After hearing from a bunch of commenters that these baskets were actually used to catch fish in Asian and African villages, a reader named Elizabeth actually sent us a photo of them in action from a trip that she took to Northern Guinea where she attended a fishing festival.
How insanely fascinating is that?! Now the hole at the top makes sense. Apparently that’s how they reach in to get the fish once they trap it with the basket in shallow water.
UPDATE #2: We’ve finally transitioned our entire house to LED lights (they save tons of energy & money, and they’re a lazy person’s best friend because you never have to change them). For anyone wondering, these are our favorite interior LEDs. Their glow is warm & natural (not weird/blue like some of the others we’ve tried) and they use around 90% less energy.
* This post contains affiliate links
It’s funny how I had totally blocked out the “before” kitchen from my memory and was shocked to see it again… all Orangey McPanels-a-Lot and long and skinny.
You guys have done such wonderful things with that space. But whats more impressive to me is that you knew the pretty was there and did all the hard work to bring her out yourselves.
This looks seriously awesome.
You guys always manage to pull together your visions for a space in the best way. I was on the fence about the way your fireplace area was looking. But the recent changes (chair, rug, mirror) but the basket lamp really pulls the whole area together.
I love watching the process while you guys sort out an area of the house.
Love it!! I have one light fixture left in my house that has not been replaced yet (laundry room) and would love to find an awesome basket to transform.
What is that shelf looking thing that is hanging on the right of the large opening to the hallway? I have not noticed it before and I really like the look of it.
It’s actually just a print, but it’s a print of white shelves with kitchen-y things on them, so it has that effect. It’s from allposters.com if that helps!
xo,
s
Who would have guessed..a basket light?! It looks great! I didn’t do Amy lights but I did do a high chair! I’m in love with it! http://www.refreshandrepurpose.blogspot.com/?m=1
So cute!
xo,
s
Wow. Wooow. I am drooling. That is gorgeous. And you’re right. That side has definitely been upgraded. All the natural tones remind me of your old house a little bit, except, dare I say, even better?! I dare.
Also, sidenote: Not sure what you did, but I think you finally nailed photographing your Kitchen grellow. It looks absolutely lovely.
Oh man, that paint color is trying to kill us. It’s 100% prettier in real life and so hard to photograph! Haha.
xo,
s
yes..the paint colour is looking great in photos.
I guess you’re just going to have to invite us all over so we can see the color in person for ourselves :)
Good idea. Come on over!
xo,
s
Love the light! I have one book light left to replace and it is in the “only seen by me” laundryroom so I never have it at the forefront BUT I will not be on the lookout for a basket to transform! Thanks for the inspiration.
Also, what is that hanging on the right side of the opening to the hallway? Is it a shelf? It looks really cool and I have never noticed it before.
It’s actually just a print, but it’s a print of white shelves with kitchen-y things on them, so it has that effect. It’s from allposters.com if that helps!
xo,
s
Love how you have made this such a cozy corner of our house. . .I was like alot of the others and thought that this would end up over the dining room table. I love it there though. =) Love seeing your house come together!
that light is definitely pretty fab. pretty much everything about it is wonderful…the price, the look, the way it throws light. well done!
You guys are amazing with the light fixtures. This is light fixture is wonderful and looks great, but seriously your office chandelier with the shade still holds the top spot for me on light fixtures you’ve made. Great work!
So pretty! I love the way that side of the room is coming together!
It looks so cool! The picture of the light reflecting in the new mirror is my favorite shot! It really brings out all of the more subtle natural tones in the room!
My favorite part is the cool lines it makes on the ceiling! I’ve always wanted cool shadows like that from a light in my house.
I love the new light, but absolutely adore the pattern it casts on the ceiling!
Random question: I was thinking about the kitchen cabinet doors you retrofitted for your new layout. Has any evidence of the seams presented itself, or are they still going strong?
Still going strong! The Kreg Jig makes seams really strong and solid, especially if you’re using solid wood and not something thin like plywood.
xo,
s
Looks great! I also love that you guys did it for such a great price. I don’t think I even would’ve thought to start with a pendant light. But that’s why I follow your blog!
My husband was away this weekend so I pulled out the sewing machine and sewed a bunch of pillow covers that I’d been meaning to sew, but the only lighting related project I tackled was to rearrange the lamps in our house. (Not nearly as exciting as your project, but everything looks a little more ‘in the right place’ now!)
Sounds like you got a lot done with the pillow-making and light rearranging! I love that!
xo,
s
This looks amazing! I just love the texture that it adds. Don’t you love it when something works out exactly as you had pictured it your head?
I looooove the shadows that the light casts on the ceiling when it is lit!
On a random note – where is the round ottoman from that you are using with your new gray chair? I’ve been looking for an ottoman like that one! :) Thanks!
That was from Marshall’s about three years ago (it lived in our master bedroom at our first house).
xo,
s
It makes the fireplace area look bigger– I guess because it adds dimension? I, too, like how the basket-now-lightshade moves the brown tones of the mirror, the cork floor, even the gray chair all around that space. And something about the combination of the shiny mirror glass and the natural basket material looks very luxe to me. Was Clara bumming that the fun big basket was now upside down and up on the ceiling? That big basket must have been very enticing to her!
Funny enough I think she’s so used to us changing things around all the time that it didn’t phase her to see it hanging from the ceiling. We joke that when she wakes up from a nap and nothing is different she thinks that we’re slacking since it’s so “normal” to her at this point! Haha.
xo,
s
that lamp transforms this nook completely… i love the new chair, but i’ve gotta say i wasn’t feeling the mirror until this latest addition went up & suddenly it all makes sense! after doing renovations for so many years, do you instinctively know what is missing from a space now or is it still complete trial & error?
Totally trial and error. We knew from experience (with our first house) that we love natural elements and texture, and we realized that although the kitchen has the cork floor (natural & texture) it seemed a bit too clean/stark so we thought bringing in some more natural touches and texture over time might make it feel more homey. So glad we gave it a try!
xo,
s
Very cool. The before and after of the kitchen is striking.
Love your blog.
On another note, I keep seeing that cute turquoise and white pillow popping up. In the latest shots it’s on your new chair in the corner. Where did you get that?
That’s from zgallerie about seven months ago. He moves around a lot! Haha.
xo,
s
Love, love, love! I have no other words! That corner is so gorgeous with the light, chair, mirror, and the simplicity of the mantel. And the mood the space sets–wow! It looks SO cozy. I want to quit my job and move in so I can sit there all day and read.
Okay. I’d help you paint from time to time.
I make delicious cookies?!
Haha, I do love cookies! Come on over…
xo
s
I love this! That room looks amazing! I love the little touch of natural fibre! it looks wonderful!!!
This might be one of my favorite projects of yours to date. It looks fantastic and totally sets the mood for the sitting room. LOVE IT!
Aw thanks Jenna!
xo,
s
Honestly, I don’t like the basket light idea (just not my thing) but the light it casts on the ceiling is fabulous! What a nice surprise!
Love the light fixture, but gotta ask… are these photos showing the paint color like it is in real life? If so, I know why you love it! It is gorgeous.
Ugh, yes! It’s so pretty in real life but so hard to capture in pictures.
xo,
s
I like it!
Holy smokes. I love it!
OMG! guys, that is just stunning. perfect in every single way.
Sherry, that video was too funny. It was like you were totttally holding back from doing laps around the table and cart wheels in the office!!!
Haha, thanks Karen!
xo,
s
have a completely non-decorating question, but Sherry- where did you get those cute skinny jeans/pants you are wearing in the top basket head picture? i’m a shorty too (5’2- woo-hoo!) and have been looking for a flattering pair everywhere! you look great and i’d love to totally copy you :)
They’re from The Gap about a year and a half ago. Wait, maybe three years? I don’t think I had Clara yet or was prego, so that means three years. Haha. They came in short so I snatched them up. Maybe try online with them (they have more short options online than in stores).
xo,
s
Love! You two have a crazy eye for transformations! I love thrifting but can’t say I’m that creative when it comes to making an item into something totally different! Kudos!
Since you’re posting kitchen photos, I have a question. My husband and I are buying a (100 yr old) house that has been completely renovated. Of course we don’t love everything the current owners did so we’ll be planning a kitchen overhaul that will eventually involve some cabinet painting. We think we can reuse the current granite which has a bit of cream in it (but it’s mostly black with green and cream specks). So creamy cabinets seem like a good choice but the trim in the entire house is ultra white. How do you juggle multiple whites in this instance? I’d hate to paint the cabs and then have them look dingy. Thanks for any thoughts!
We have seen lovely kitchens with cream cabinets and granite and bright white trim (check out Pinterest, etc). The key is to bring both colors in with accessories so they feel like they belong (ex: a bright white bowl on the counter with fruit in it will tie in the bright white trim, etc). Hope that makes sense!
xo,
s
LOVE it! $35 for a DIY light fixture….thats awesome! It looks super sophisticated and warm in the house :)
Oh, Wow. This might be my favorite thing in your entire house… I think I’m in love.
Well, my favorite easy thing anyway. ;) I absolutely adore natural items mixed into the home. And my opinion – your basket pendant is way more awesomesauce than the one at the outlet!
LOVE IT. I love that you guys are adding in some more rustic elements to your house. Also, I have noticed that the kitchen has been looking a slightly different color. Is this just photo-tweaking? Whatever it is, I like it.
I actually did a pendant light for the bathroom awhile ago, and this post inspired me to finally share it. Lowes has mini-pendant light kits for around $18 that come with everything you need. They have them in white, black, and ORB. I have used them twice now, and plan on making more light fixtures because it is so easy!!!
http://justinandkatie.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/homemade-pendant-light-for-bathroom/
It’s that darn paint color. Haha. We love it in person but from day one of painting it we have not been able to get a true to life photograph at all! We are trying some new tricks to get it more realistic looking in photos, but in all honesty it’s still much better in real life than in the pics. But as for your homemade light I LOVE IT! It’s so awesome!!
xo,
s
So sorry to add to the paint color comments! I just realized how many others have commented on the difference. I guess you will be forced to do a post now to explain the Great Paint Dilemma of 2012.
Thanks for checking out my light:)
Haha, no worries! It’s funny how many folks thought it looked more normal here. Getting closer! Haha.
xo,
s
That look awesome! I love, love, love the last picture with all the rays of light flooding your ceiling!
Didn’t you have a drum shade sort of thing there before…I remember some turmoil with John being so tall and having to find a not-so-low hanging light. Or was that somewhere else in the house and I am totally losing my mind?
Haha yes, we had a flush mounted light we got from Ikea that we’ll be moving into the hallway to replace a boob light that lives there. Everyone wins!
xo,
s
I love it!! Seeing posts like this always makes me want to start scouring Craigslist and go thrifting for some cool finds. Such a great idea for this basket. It turned out great. We just replaced the fixture in our kitchen with Calypso from IKEA and love it. It makes such a difference in the room replacing the pre-existing “boob light” (as KB calls them haha).
Love that!
xo,
s
This basket is actually a trap used to catch fish in SE Asia. It’s placed on the bottom with the small hole facing up. Fish swim in, but somehow can’t swim out.
No way! I love that!!!!!!
xo,
s
That looks awesome! What a fun DIY! I also love the… ummm… view of the underside :)
I have been on the look out for a shallow round or square basket to replace the cheapy square plastic cover on our back yard’s patio ceiling. There is only a 8-10 foot clearance so we can’t have anything too low for the hubs to whack his head on since he is 6’2! My 5’4″ self has zero problems wacking my head on things!
I love the rays of light that it makes on the ceiling!
I love it! Was it originally a shade though? If it already had a hole in it, was it really a basket?
We heard it was actually a side table (inverted with a pane of glass across the top and an iron-ish plant stand thing on the bottom). Someone sent us a link of them on ebay. When we found it at a thrift store it was being used on the floor to hold magazines (like a basket).
xo,
s
Update: Someone just told us it may have been a trap to catch fish in SE Asia (they can fit into the wide side by swimming but can’t swim out of the little hole). So interesting!
in any event, it looks awesome as a light in your kitchen. I love that little sitting area
LOVE it!
Your little sitting area is so perfect! I love everything about it including your new light! You guys are such an inspiration!
so creative! I wanted to pass along a link to a really cool site that I use for decor inspiration. You may already know about it: Antique Farmhouse. They have different sale events for specific category. Today they released a “We love farm animals” event and they feature some ceramic animal name card holders that might fit in nicely with your collection. http://antiquefarmhouse.com/current-sale-events/farm-animals.html?utm_source=AntiqueFarmHouse&utm_campaign=3f0e4d6003-We+%E2%99%A5+FARM+ANIMALS&utm_medium=email
So much fun! Love the ceramic pic. Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
wow–red is your color! I know most people ask where you got your lights, furniture–where did you get that beautiful top? you look like a model–so pretty!
Aw you’re so sweet! It’s from Old Navy. Cheap! I think maybe $5?
xo,
s
i LOVE it, y’all have the best ideas. it completely defines the space and makes it look so much more sophisticated!
Guys, it looks so great!! I loved the Alang light you had there, but this one adds new sophistication and ties so nicely into lots of the other elements in the room.
When switching out shades with a pendant lamp, how can you know (or guesstimate) that the shade won’t be too heavy for the cord? I always have that concern, and replacing a pendant lamp in our new-to-us house with a big heavy shade where the cord was actually pulling out of the shade (and the cord was even intended to go with the shade) got me even more concerned with pendants.
The wicker basket was actually lighter than the glass shade (glass is generally heavier than something airy and woven) but you’re right to worry if the item you want to make into a pendant is heavier than the original shade. In that case I would buy some of that metal hanging chain that is used for things like chandeliers and secure the cord with that so it’s bearing the weight (and not the cord). Hope that helps!
xo,
s
That light is awesome!! The shadows on the ceiling when the light is on are so pretty!
OMG it’s gorgeous!!! It really brings that side of the room together now. That side of the rooms just works now…feels finished. Looks like a great place to read or just hang out while food is cooking. ;)
I was just looking at the three light fixtures we have in our Great Room. At the time it seemed like everything should match because it’s one room really, even though it’s the kitchen, Living Room and Dining Room, but now 5yrs later I wish they were a little different but worked together. Over time I will probably change them out in some way. ;)
Absolutely love this!!! Great work guys!
That looks excellent. I just made a ceiling light shade with wood veneer tape and some embroidery hoops. My next project is making a smaller chandelier with wax paper “capiz” shells.
The first one turned out pretty nice: http://www.blog.heyimanna.com/2012/08/shady.html
So cool!
xo
s