Guest Post: Lighting Makeovers

Looking for the perfect new light fixture? It might already be hanging from your ceiling. In today’s guest post, Matthew Dickamore, creative director of Salt Lake City-based Denton House Design Studio, shows us how to create stylish custom lighting from the fixtures we already have at home. It’s easier than you might think!

Photo by Kay Douglas

Think outside the box: Pendant lights look great hanging over a bar or a kitchen island. That’s where they’re supposed to go, right? Not necessarily. For a restaurant we designed at a Utah ski resort, we transformed large, hand-blown glass pendants into sconces that flank the bathroom mirrors. A local metalworker helped us customize them by creating a decorative back plate for each one; an arm cantilevers each pendant out from the wall (see photo, below). These new fixtures give the restroom character, with a unique twist. The moral of the story? Don’t be afraid to get creative.

Reinvigorate old and outdated fixtures: Clients who want to do a little remodeling often tell me how much they despise their old dining-room chandeliers. Sound familiar? Hereâs a quick tip: Take a can of spray paint to it! (And yes, even that typical brass finish can be transformed to a vibrant hue.) Talk about an unexpected punch of color! Another way (my favorite!) to transform an existing chandelier is by placing a large drum shade around the entire existing fixture (see photo, below). This is a great way to add depth, color and create a transitional look using an outdated fixture.

Photo by Peter Aaron; courtesy Denton House Design Studio

Repurpose what you already have: Why buy a light fixture when you can easily create your own? Start with an old metal bucket or a unique basket, flip it upside down, cut a hole in the bottom, feed a hanging lamp cord through it and voilà! You have a one-of-a-kind, custom pendant (see one beautiful example below). Or what about those old lampshades you’re storing in the closet? Try suspending them at different heights in a grouping above your dining table. The result will be uniquely you.

Photo via Coastal Living

Have your own lighting makeover tips? We’d love to hear them, so please post a comment and share!