• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Bigger Than the Three of Us
  • Our Home
  • DIY IDEAS
    • DIY IDEAS
    • DIY Open Shelving Kitchen Guide
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Shop My Closet
    • Vintage Home Decor
    • My Current Favorite Rugs For Sale
    • Pieces I’m Loving
  • Podcast
  • Travel
  • The Three of Us
    • Privacy and Disclosure
  • Our Home
  • DIY IDEAS
    • DIY IDEAS
    • DIY Open Shelving Kitchen Guide
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Shop My Closet
    • Vintage Home Decor
    • My Current Favorite Rugs For Sale
    • Pieces I’m Loving
  • Podcast
  • Travel
  • The Three of Us
    • Privacy and Disclosure
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • House Tour
  • Floating Shelving Guide
  • DIY Projects
  • Shop
  • The Three of Us
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Upcycled Kitchen Lighting (DIY Pendant)

    November 5, 2014 by Ashley Mayes 41 Comments

     It's time for another "Repurpose, Recycle, Reuse" project post. I really do love these posts that we do on the first Wednesday of each month. It gives me the extra boost to get something done and it's inspiring to see what you can do with so-called "junk" items.

    10378273_10204071334414649_6696092898498319533_n

    Upcycled Thrift Store Light

    This month, I tackled this $5 pendant lamp from a thrift store. Originally I had thought to use upcycled kitchen lighting in our kitchen remodel, but then I stumbled onto this beauty.

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-2

    I've had this light on my mind for the kitchen table since day one. At $600, it just isn't happening right now. While walking around a few months ago at a thrift store, I spotted the pendant above. It kinda - like squeeze one eye and hop on one foot, and try really really hard to see - might resemble the gorgeous $600 one. Ok, well no, probably not. But they are both glass, right? Actually, I did see something in the $5 pendant, so I snagged it up.

    I knew right away that the top part (vase cap) would have to go as well as the candelabra part in the middle.

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel

    First thing that I did was take it all apart.

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-3

    Then I measured the opening on the top so that I could order another cap (actually called a "vase" cap) to fit. I found the piece on Ebay and, because it was so large (17 inches), it cost me about $16.

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-5

    In the above picture, it's sitting on top of the pendant just to see how it fits. When we hung it, we had to slip it in from the bottom and then the pendant hung on it.

    I also ditched the spiral holder thing (see below) for a more stream-lined one that I took off the existing chandelier that hung above the kitchen table.

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-4

    We also took the chain off the old chandelier and added it to the 'new' chandelier. Just to jog your memory, this is what the old chandelier looked like and what our kitchen looked like about 6 months ago:

    Kitchen plans by Bigger Than The Three Of Us

    I had to pick up one socket and a spool of electrical wire to finish off the new light. We wired it all up and then hung it back up. It's off center right now, which will get changed a bit later. I have a few more plans for the room and don't want to move the wiring in the ceiling just to move it again if some of the plans don't work out.

    But, people, look how far we have come:

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-6

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-7

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-10

    Upcycled Thrift Store Pendant Light for DIY Kitchen Remodel-9

    I'll admit, Luke and I weren't blown away when we hung the pendant. We've had it for about 6 weeks now and it totally fits in there. It's not my dream light, but it's definitely growing on me and, for under $25, I totally love it.

    *Edited to add: Here's the light against the plank wall.

    Use this tutorial to make a Modern Plank Wall to serve as a focal point for your room.

    Upcycled Thrift Store Light

    As always with this monthly collaboration, you have to check out what the other ladies came up with!

    1796886_10203984237399493_9208054844695588129_o

    Wine Bottle Cover

    Modern Fall Wreath

    Vintage Slide Lampshade

    Upcycled Photo Display

    Linking up to:

    Found and Foraged, C.R.A.F.T., Your Designs This Time, The Makers, The Winthrop Chronicles, Home Stories A-Z, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Outside the Box,  Work It Wednesday,  Think and Make Thursday, Fry Sauce and Grits, Liz Marie Blog, The Inspiration Gallery, Creativity Unleashed - The Bold Abode, Remodelaholic, Whipperberry, The Creative Collection, Tatertots and Jello, and Frugal Crafty Blog Hop.

     

    Share
    Pin51
    Tweet
    Email
    Print
    51Shares

    More Uncategorized

    • Kayaking to Lake Powell Antelope Canyon without a Tour
    • 10 Green Paint Colors To Get That Swoon Worthy Look
    • Rome and Venice Tour and Airbnb Recommendations
    • 15 Christmas Tree Decorations that You Should Make ASAP

    Keep In Touch...

    Sign up for my weekly emails to see new projects, plus what I'm doing behind-the-scenes.

    You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

    Reader Interactions



    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1. Trisha D.

      November 05, 2014 at 8:06 am

      Wow, what a difference it made by removing the 'extra' stuff! Well done, off to go check out my Restore to find a pendant like that!!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 05, 2014 at 3:04 pm

        Ha! Happy treasure hunting!

        Reply
    2. Charlotte

      November 05, 2014 at 8:42 am

      What a transformation! It looks fantastic!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 05, 2014 at 3:04 pm

        Thanks Char! Far from finished but we are getting there and I can see the potential which is great!

        Reply
    3. chris aka monkey

      November 05, 2014 at 11:03 am

      you did an awesome job, i always kinda like these old glass pendants and you removed all the things i didn't like, love it xx

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 05, 2014 at 3:06 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    4. angie

      November 05, 2014 at 4:52 pm

      looks awesome makes the room seem special
      come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

      Reply
    5. [email protected]

      November 06, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      I love it! It looks like a completely different fixture!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 07, 2014 at 1:03 pm

        Thanks Gretchen! It really does!

        Reply
    6. Corinna - For My Love Of

      November 06, 2014 at 7:39 pm

      Dude! I really love it! Can I have your dining room?! I seriously love how the chairs, rug and light fixture blend into this Uber cool vibe.

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 07, 2014 at 1:05 pm

        Thanks Corinna! I'm liking the direction as well, but I'm slightly concerned that it's a bit too boho/eclectic (?) for the rest of my house decor and colors. Hmm, decisions, decisions.

        Reply
    7. Kyla @HouseOfHipsters

      November 08, 2014 at 3:36 pm

      Clever, clever, clever! This looks awesome! And I too am loving your dining room.

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 09, 2014 at 7:33 am

        Thanks Kyla! It's a super slow process, but we are inching toward getting something that I love.

        Reply
    8. Grace @ The Big Reveal

      November 16, 2014 at 10:05 am

      That pendant looks amazing. I'm with Kyla! So glad you are visiting the linky party. Have a great week!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 16, 2014 at 8:35 pm

        Thank you! The room is definitely a work in progress but I do think the pendant helped!

        Reply
    9. Laura Irion // Avery Street Design

      November 16, 2014 at 1:34 pm

      Ashley!! I'm so thrilled you linked this up at Found & Foraged!! I'm amazed at what you did with it- it looks great. And your table and rug...Yum! You've done an awesome job!!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 16, 2014 at 8:36 pm

        Thanks Laura! We have more plans for the room... but nothing happening immediately (the story of my life!). =)

        Reply
    10. Rebekah @ Charming Imperfections

      November 17, 2014 at 7:13 am

      Never would have looked at that light before and thought I could make it into something gorgeous, but you definitely did! Great eye!

      Rebekah @ Charming Imperfections

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 17, 2014 at 7:39 am

        Thanks Rebekah! Sometimes I have a hard time trying to find the beauty in old things and other times an idea just jumps out at me. Luckily this one worked out. =)

        Reply
    11. Lindi

      November 17, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      Wow! What a transformation! You really have an eye for seeing potential in old and vintage things! I never would have dreamed of transforming this light the way that you did! Good job 🙂
      Lindi @ http://www.lovecreatecelebrate.com

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 18, 2014 at 7:50 am

        Thanks Lindi!

        Reply
    12. Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness

      November 17, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Wow!! This looks SO awesome! I'm so not brave enough to take apart and redo a light, but you guys totally rocked this!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 18, 2014 at 7:52 am

        Thanks Amanda! It helped that we've done a few other electrical light type projects so that part wasn't too scary!

        Reply
    13. Ursula @ Home Made by Carmona

      November 18, 2014 at 7:30 pm

      Oh my goodness this is amazing! You've got vision girl!
      Thanks for linking this amazing upcycle to our The Makers link party today!! I'll be sharing this little gem on FB! 😉

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 19, 2014 at 6:24 am

        Thanks Carmona! It's always nice when it turns out close to what you had envisioned which is not always the case!

        Reply
    14. Rachel

      November 19, 2014 at 5:19 am

      I love what you did with this and $5 is a steal-of-a-deal!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 19, 2014 at 6:33 am

        Thanks Rachel!

        Reply
    15. Kyla @HouseOfHipsters

      November 20, 2014 at 8:40 pm

      Hey Ashley! I’m so happy you linked up to Found & Foraged because I’m featuring this lovely project! WOOT! WOOT! Hope to see you again this Saturday night at 8PM at http://houseofhipsters.com

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 21, 2014 at 7:22 am

        Thanks Kyla! I'm excited to be featured! woohoo!

        Reply
    16. Liz

      November 23, 2014 at 3:57 am

      Wow, really, really great!

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        November 23, 2014 at 6:45 am

        Thanks Liz!

        Reply
    17. Peg M

      August 20, 2016 at 9:28 am

      Other than gravity, what's holding the glass shade to the vase cap?

      Reply
      • Ashley Mayes

        August 27, 2016 at 11:58 am

        Nothing! The canopy doesn't fit through the top of the glass so it's safe.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Bold and Dark Trim - Bigger Than the Three of Us says:
      June 15, 2015 at 10:01 am

      […] Ok, so last time I shared a kitchen update it was to show you our Thrift Store Revamped Pendant Light. […]

      Reply
    2. Best Posts of 2014 - Bigger Than the Three of Us says:
      June 15, 2015 at 10:02 am

      […] Upcycled Kitchen Pendant […]

      Reply
    3. One Room Challenge - Week 1 - Bigger Than the Three of Us says:
      October 7, 2015 at 12:40 am

      […] thrifted a light and upcycled it to make it more modern. We hung that to replace the shiny brass chandelier that was originally […]

      Reply
    4. Eat-in Kitchen Refresh - One Room Challenge Week 2 - Bigger Than the Three of Us says:
      October 15, 2015 at 5:57 am

      […] lighting… We’ve decided to say goodbye to our upcycled pendant light that we had hanging. It’s been a great light for us, but I’ve never loved it. For the […]

      Reply
    5. Before & After: A $5 Light Freshens Up - Tmarie Linens says:
      August 19, 2016 at 9:40 am

      […] (Image credit: Ashley from Bigger Than the Three of Us) […]

      Reply
    6. Before & After: A $5 Light Freshens Up – Sofia Consola says:
      August 19, 2016 at 9:42 am

      […] (Image credit: Ashley from Bigger Than the Three of Us) […]

      Reply
    7. 16 Great DIY Light Fixtures That You Can Create Simple - HOME EXIN says:
      March 11, 2019 at 9:33 am

      […] Source […]

      Reply
    8. 34 DIY Light Fixtures says:
      June 1, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      […] biggerthanthethreeofus […]

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Bigger Than The Three Of Us - Family of Three

    Follow Me On

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Favorites

    Footer

    Connect with Me:


    ashley at biggerthanthethreeofus.com

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Disclosure, Copyright and Privacy Policies

    Follow Me On Instagram

    Copyright © 2023 · Bigger than the Three of Us · All Rights Reserved

    51Shares