So, we have a large room that we've decided is a living / dining combination. But there is only one light fixture, and it's in the middle of the room.
We had contractors give us an estimate for putting more light in, but that is going to have to wait until we have more $$$
I wanted more definition over the area, so this is what I did:
I've seen these all over candle chandeliers all over, I've seen them at Pottery Barn, Z Gallery, Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, and some high end boutiques. They always cost several hundred dollars. As always, I thought "I could make that myself"
The problem was, while this wasn't going to cost nearly what it would in the store - it would still be expensive with all of those candles. I mean you're still talking $4 for a small pillar candle from WALMART! So I put my thinking cap on.
I decided to buy some glasses at Walmart. They were $1.92 for a set of four, and I covered them in a waxy finish contact paper: So while the candles alone would have cost at least $100, I spent only $12. I put some tealights in the glasses, and I think they look pretty convincing as candles.
Then I got some scrap wood at Home Depot for $0.50, and covered one side in bead board wall paper.
And painted it the same chocolate color as our cabinets
I attached (and by I, of course I mean Jarrod) moulding around the sides and put the hooks where the chains could attach
(I didn't paint the inside, because no one will see it)
I painted the trim, and then hung it by chain from the hooks we put in the ceiling:
And Ta Da!! I put rested some of the candles on scraps of leftover trim to stagger the heights of the glasses (there are only two different sizes here)
Total Cost: $32.50
Cups: $12 (1.92 for a 4 pack at WalMart)
Contact Paper $6
Scrap wood $0.50
Trim - $7
Hardware (chain and hooks) $7
DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY PAINT COLOR PARTY AND AMAZING GIVEAWAY!!!
I hope to see you all back here on Friday the 22nd to share all of your favorite paint colors.

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Go see all the other great projects over at Kimba's!!





What a great idea! I didn't even know you could buy waxy contact paper. If you pop tea lights in the glasses, you'll still get a nice, soft glow. So clever!
ReplyDeleteAH!! I LOVE LOVE this idea! so creative! I'm the same way in the "I can do that" mindset!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Making your own is awesome..plus you'll love it more :0)
ReplyDeleteWow I love it!! I've always liked that PB chandelier and your's is an amazing replica. It looks wonderful, great job!!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Brilliant! I wanted to do something similar and even have what I need to do it - but the "thing" is heavy and we're concerned about hitting a stud under our highly textured ceiling. Any ideas??
ReplyDeleteVery creative! Great job.
ReplyDeleteChelsea
I have the EXACT same problem in my Living Room (of all places)! And I was thinking about doing something like this but was hung up on the candle thing too! This is the PERFECT solution!! LOVE it!
ReplyDeletegood for you!!!!!! I JUST BOUGHT a light fixture like this ($200 at home depot), yours sure beats that! Do you have actual candles in each one so you have to light them everytime? You are SOO CREATIVE! Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, and what is the exact color and brand of that chocoloate brown (I am looking for a color for our kitchen redo soon).
Thanks!
Mikael
I love this idea!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I didn't want a chandelier in my dining room - have recessed lighting - and had been trying to figure this type of thing out. I don't think I ever would have come up with your creative solution - but last year got a wrought iron candle chandelier as a gift. If I hadn't.....
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! You did a great job. Great tutorial!
ReplyDeletegail
I am SO impressed with your creativity! You did an awesome job and I love how you came up with such a frugal alternative that is every bit, if not more, lovely than the inspiration piece!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
That looks great. I wouldn't of guessed they were glasses with contact paper. Very creative!
ReplyDeleteun-freaking-believable! you are a genius!
ReplyDeleteSo many good ideas you have!! You're amazing! I can't believe I've never heard of bead-board wall paper before. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSo creative, great job! I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! How you faked the pillars is so clever!
ReplyDeleteOh my! You are a genius! That looks amazing!!! Very smart idea to make faux pillar candles :)
ReplyDeleteThey are convincing! I scrolled through the pictures first and kept thinking, "Wow, that's a lot of candles." Then I went back and read it. Ha! Good job!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is amazing! I love, love, love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration!
It is SO cute! I'm just wondering if you have to take it down each time you want to light the candles, or how exactly you go about doing that....
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteTotally awesome I love it. Your braver than I am . I am sure if I did this it would all come crashing to the floor. Very nice
ReplyDeleteI'm more than kind of in love with this. I've eyed it so many times in their catalog, but I just couldn't figure out how to do it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI freakin' love you blog. You are the woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I also design on a budget. I provide the budget, he does the work. You inspire me to do things and try then on my own!!!!!! Thank you!
Looks GREAT!
ReplyDeleteVERY impressed! That looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo do you have to climb up and light all those every time you eat at this table? It looks amazing - I'm just not sure I'd be up to doing all that!
ReplyDeleteTHAT is gorgeous! I love the idea of the tealights and covering the glasses.
ReplyDeleteGlasses? Really?? You would never even know! I would have never come up with that in a bazillion years.
ReplyDeleteI also see that you're in Dallas - ever make it up 75 to Plano?? ;)
You did a great job! It looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteReally, really impressed! It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGreat atmosphere! Looks really cool!
ReplyDeleteOMG! What a great job! I absolutely love what you did! Thank you for sharing your genius!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome...I can't believe those aren't candles!
ReplyDeleteThat looks exactly like candles! I can't believe it. Thanks for sharing the how-to!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! Great job. :O)
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis is SUCH a fantastic idea and it looks beautiful. Until I read your blog I didnt even know beadboard paper existed. Great job!!
ReplyDeleteSnap! (sounding like a fourth grader) That is awesome! I really appreciated when you said, "The problem was, while this wasn't going to cost nearly what it would in the store - it would still be expensive with all of those candles. I mean you're still talking $4 for a small pillar candle from WALMART!" because so often, cheaper than PB or ZG is still a lot. You have my kind of budget in mind.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! I love it.
ReplyDeleteOHMYGOSH! I've had my eye on that chandy for quite some time now and your rendition is SOOOO much better. I love it! I'm SOOOO doing this. The idea of covering the glasses with contact paper is simply genius! I LOVE IT!!!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour idea is just great, really creative.
ReplyDeleteTotally thought those were candles! How creative! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is amazing! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI'm completely impressed! I never would have guessed those are cups and I never would have even thought to use contact paper! Scrolling through your posts, you have some awesome ideas. I'm going to be a follower now!!!
ReplyDeletelooks dang good. way to go :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I would have never guessed that those were not candles, they are totally convincing. Not to mention, the entire fixture looks like it really did come from Pottery Barn, Great look alike! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat is GORGEOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my word. I love this. I saw one Martha Stewart did years ago but I love this better. LOL. Thanks for sharing how you did it too. I am so going to beg my Cowboy to help me do one!
ReplyDeleteLove those fake candles :) Anything fake and cheap that looks like the real deal is my kind of project - good job!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! So creative and so much safer and less messy than pillar candles.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
www.TrashToTreasureDecorating.com
Ok, I am impressed how well this turned out! It looks good! I would of never thought someone made it but bought it at Pottery Barn. I had to mention your post on my blog. You're a genius! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat turned out FABULOUS! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! Wouldn't it be a great piece on a patio, especially for a party at night? The glasses would keep those tea lights glowing in spite of any wind that might blow through...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic clone!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a GENIUS! I thought for sure those were "flameless candles". Which would cost a fortune! Whose job is it to light all of those babies? ;)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this!! Fabulous idea!
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't told me there is no way I would know those weren't real pillar candles!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous. Just what I have been looking for to avoid having to move electric!
ReplyDeleteLove your fixture. I have admired this one many times in Pottery Barn. Can you tell me where did you find the waxy contact paper. I can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks for your time.
ReplyDeleteTHIS is genius!! I *love* this! Way to go for taking matters into your own hands! Who needs Pottery Barn?! We've got you! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing ~ your faux candles look like the real deal. Thanks for sharing, now my brain is aching with ideas on where to put one of these fabulous & frugal babies! ;)
ReplyDeleteKimberly
Must...do...THIS! That's absolute genius.
ReplyDeleteLove this....would you mind telling me your board measurements (my table looks like yours and the size is perfect) Also, where in the world would I find that waxy paper?? :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks
Thanks for the great idea! I featured this on my weekly craft series today. Feel free to check it out
ReplyDeletehttp://ourthriftyideasbecomeone.blogspot.com/2010/11/weekly-craft-day-cute-candle-chandelier.html
Vanessa Barker
Awesome job! This chandelier would look great in my dining room I'm currently making over http://jenspire.blogspot.com/2011/03/easy-window-treatments.html
ReplyDeleteThis is genius!! I love it and I will hav to recreate this. I think I will make one for my mom. I didn't know they made waxy contact paper. I'm so happy I continued reading the post because I definitly thought they were candels.
ReplyDelete*have
ReplyDeleteI have included this as the tutorial of the day on my blog, The Crafty Artisan. I have posted a phot and a link sending my readers to your web site.
ReplyDeleteHappy Crafting!
http://wiserunning.com/blog/2011/05/31/decor-tutorial-candle-chandelier/
I must say, pretty clever. I will try it!
ReplyDeleteHi! This is an amazing project! Where did you find your waxy-finish contact paper? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteso is this electric or are you having to light a gazillion little tea lights every time you want to use it?
ReplyDeleteAmazing stuff and creation. I really like the way you have presented the candle chandelier above the dining table. Thanks for the concept.
ReplyDeleteI can see a lot of people have asked the same question of where did you get the waxy contact paper?
ReplyDelete