Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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The Reveal: Doily/Industrial Swag Light

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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.

A little later in the day. Note spackle on table.
If you’d like, I can put together a tutorial in a few days. Let me know.
Even though I was home sick, I sure had a lot of fun! Don came home around 7 p.m. I arranged it so that just the hanging light was on – he loves it.

 

Comments

  5. I love the shape of that shade. Drum shades are too modern looking for me. What a great project!!!

    If Don is anything like Walter, sometimes it takes him weeks to notice something that you did in his absence, unless you point it out.

    My best projects get done when Walter isn’t around. I know exactly how you feel!

  6. Perfect solution for your cute cottage! I love the photograph with the tub of spackling on the table. Everyday life for many of us!
    Hope you are feeling better, and that Don receives good news from his audition!

  7. Claudia- it is gorgeous! I love it-and the cord looks perfect for your home. I always tell my hubby that sometimes you need to pay just a little extra to get good quality that will last instead of something you’ll soon have to replace. Wonderful project!

  8. I just love this project and it is so you. It really adds to your kitchen too. I love looking at your Home from all angles and seeing a new treasure every time. You are a real DIY’er..did I puncuate that right? Oh well you know what I mean! And I know what you mean by getting it done while that Hubby is away.
    Hope your cold improves and that you & Don have a nice relaxing weekend.
    Fingers crossed that he gets the part!

  13. Perfect! Sooooo much better than a drum shade or something everybody else has! This is a beautiful one of a kind piece. It makes me want to rip the shade off of an old lampshade frame and do the same thing.
    Those kits are so pretty with the cord shade, so much better and prettier for a cottage look than the plastic ones.

  15. Bravo! Not only is it a DYI-tutorial-worthy project, but the addition of a hanging lamp seems to finish the room. Well done ~ and hope you’re feeling better.

  18. YOU ARE VERY TALENTED CLAUDIA….I LOVE IT….SO VINTAGE……CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT YOU WOULD PAY FOR A SHADE LIKE THAT….GREAT JOB….AND
    HUSBANDS…CAN’T LIVE WITH THEM…BUT…CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THEM.
    HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND……RIZZI

  19. How could he not love it? It’s gorgeous! I finally downloaded Mozilla so I could leave a comment – I hope this works! There have been so many times I’ve left a comment on IE only to find that it never shows up on your blog. I wonder where they go after I click Publish Your Comment? … Donna

  23. The shape of the shade is great, perfect for your house. And the best part is you did it w/out the help of an electrician! Annette T

  25. Lovely lamp! It looks perfect in your space. I love your cozy kitchen. Your home looks very warm and comfortable. I can imagine myself sitting at your table looking out of the window. Your cottage is beautiful.

    ~Sandy

  29. You certainly are handy with a drill, Claudia! You’re so brave to climb so high. You did a good job. The lamp is so cute! It has three looks combined in one. It’s feminine, it’s froufrou and it has a touch of the industrial! A fun combination! I think you might have invented a new style here. I hope all goes well for Don and that he gets the part he auditioned for.

  35. Oh Claudia, it’s perfect!!! I love, love it. You could not have come up with anything that would match your sweet cottage home any better. That’s my opinion. I love the lace doilies, and that red cord adds such a fun pop of color.

    Your photos are wonderful. I’ve enjoyed getting more of a peek into your lovely home. Thanks for sharing!

  37. It looks awesome! Wish I had enough doilies to do the two lampshades in my bedroom. May have to do some thrift store looking to see if I can come up with some.
    Hope you are feeling better.

  38. Of course he loves it! Who wouldn’t love it? It’s just gorgeous. I love the cord going to the side. If you’d used a drum shade, it wouldn’t have fit your cottage nearly as well. It would have seemed modern. This is perfect, Claudia. Do a tutorial for the rest of us.
    Brenda

  40. Sorry you aren’t feeling well, Claudia. I hope you are much better tonight.

    How did the hubby’s audition go? I am just like you…I move mountains when the old boy is away. I just DO and don’t have to say WHY or ASK anything. Wham…bam…done.

    Your project turned out great. I have never seen a red corded lamp kit. I love it. Brenda would love that in her house, too. I really like it.

    I hope you have a great weekend- xo Diana

  42. Glad Don likes it. Bob saw my kitchen crystal chandelier hanging on my blog before he got home from a trip – that helped with the surprise! Luckily comments were all positive so he couldn’t NOT like it, ha! ha!

    Great job Claudia – I would have been too nervous to drill a hole in the ceiling in case I hit something electrical!!!!!

    Hope you’re feeling better.
    Hugs – Mary

  43. I love it Claudia. I adore that red cord! It is looks awesome hanging in your kitchen.
    I cover every little shade skeleton I can get my hands on too. It’s gotten to where all my daughters look for them at yard sales for their mom to cover. It’s getting out of hand now, but I’m grateful, and it is getting harder to find the metal ones now because so many are covering them now. I think they have so much more character than just a plain shade.
    hugs…

  45. IT looks WONDERFUL SWEET ,dear Claudia, I so love it over your table, and you did well with the whole installment- I am not that good with drilling with big machines–but I guess I can if it will!!!!
    Hugs,Dorthe

  47. When I first saw that lamp – the words out of my mouth: “That is SO cool!” It really is stunning.

    Your home is so cozy and comfortable looking. Looks like a place I could easily curl up, read a book, take a nap – just completely relax. Thanks for sharing!

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