Yesterday: I’m home sick with a bad cold, Don leaves for an audition in the city, I stare at the doily covered lampshade sitting on kitchen table. I blow my nose. And stare some more. About 30 seconds later, I am out of the blogging chair and on my way outside for the ladder. Then I’m measuring cautiously and wondering just where to drill. Then, true to form, I just go for it. I install the toggle bolt in the ceiling (pretty easy, after all) and after much adjustment, the lamp is up!
It was an impossibly gloomy day, but I was excited to show you some photos so I went ahead and took some anyway.
I originally had the cord swagged to the right of the window. However, that stretched the 15 foot red cord so much that I was going to have to use an extension cord. And if I used an extension cord, the original red cord wouldn’t be as taut as it needs to be. So after much drilling and redrilling (now I have to spackle those holes) I ended up swagging the cord to the left. I rather like it swagged at an angle.
The lamp is hanging a bit lower now than it was when I took this picture. I’m still tweaking.
It’s so much easier for me to embark on these DIY adventures when Don isn’t around. I wonder why that is? I guess I don’t have to answer questions or explain myself and I can make a mess without worrying that I’m disturbing him. And then when he comes home, it’s done, without discussion. I know you understand.
From the other side of the table. By the way, I attached the doilies with some hand quilting thread, which is nice and strong. I tacked them to various parts of the frame and to each other.
Another view. I promise to take more photos when it’s sunny.
I briefly considered going with a drum shade. I like the look of them. But, they’re everywhere nowadays and, for better or worse, if everyone is doing something I tend to go in the opposite direction.
I really love this funky little light. And when I look at it from the den, I see that it hangs smack dab in the middle of the archway that leads into the kitchen. Perfect.
Cost:
Lamp frame: I had it on hand. I ripped off the old fabric, which was stained and ugly.
Doilies – I think one was $3 and the other was $2. The third doily was in my stash.
The cloth covered cord and socket kit from Shandell’s was my biggest expense, but it was worth it. Where else could you get a red cord, I ask you? I chose the 15′ cord which was a bit higher in price. The cost of the kit was $49.00.
By the way, I’ve looked at various other hanging cords and they are all plastic and look like they should be hidden behind a table or covered with those cloth sleeves that people use to disguise hanging cords. Susan’s cords are cloth-covered and handsome. They enhance the lamp.
So, basically, I got a hanging light for my kitchen without the cost of an electrician. The whole thing was a little over $50.00.
