Tea Light Centerpiece
In my constant attempt to save things from the landfill, I came up with this nifty transformation of an old Hollywood light fixture.
Can you believe that I took this…
And turned it into this?
Materials:
- Trim (canopy) piece of an old light fixture
- Sandpaper or sanding block
- Spray primer (automobile primer works best on metal)
- Valspar java brown spray paint
- Krylon sparkling canyon spray paint
- Drop cloth (or plastic sheet)
- Votives
- E-6000 glue
- Brown and amber beads
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scoop or spoon to pour beads from
- Popsicle stick
- Tweezers
You are sick of staring at that old hollywood light fixture in your bathroom. Come on, you can admit it. It’s okay, you are among friends. If you need help, I’ll even show you how to remove that dated style offender. And hey, if you are lucky enough to live in a house without one — but you still want to replicate this project — head on over to your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I guarantee they will have plenty to choose from.
1. Start by wiping off the light fixture (unless you are a fabulous housekeeper and yours doesn’t have years of collected dust like mine did.)
2. Scuff up the metal surface with sandpaper.
3. Spray the light fixture with the spray primer. Let it dry. Then spray a coat or two of the java brown spray paint. After the brown paint is dry, lightly dust the light fixture with the sparkling canyon spray paint until you are happy with the color.
4. Try to let the painted fixture dry overnight to allow the paint enough time to harden.
5. Clean your votives with some soap and water and let it dry thoroughly. Squeeze a line of glue around the bottom of the votive.
6. Center the votive over the hole on the light fixture.
7. Repeat for the rest of the holes.
8. Weigh the votives down with some books while the glue sets (a few hours.)
9. Plug in the hot glue gun. (Have you read my Hot Glue Gun Safety post? If not, you should because your fingers will thank me.) While it is heating up, take out the beads you want to use. Set them in a little scoop or spoon.
10. Run a bead of hot glue around the votive. Only work in a small 1-2″ section at a time. This will give you enough time to arrange the beads before the glue hardens.
11. Pour the beads into the hot glue.
12. Use your popsicle stick to maneuver the beads into the glue.
13. Use the tweezers to place any singular beads and perform any detail work.
14. Glue beads around the base of the other votives. Let the glue cool and then pull off any hot glue strings.
15. Put your tea lights into the votives and set it on your table…
…bathtub edge or sideboard.
What do you think? Do you like it or I am just trying to put lipstick on a pig?
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Brilliant idea as usual! That poor hollywood fixture is singing your praises today, all glammed up!
Thanks Kim. It felt good to rescue it ;-).
Brittany
You never cease to amaze me with the stuff you come up with! We used to live in Wendell, on the southeast side of Raleigh. So wish we still lived there, so I could come to your demonstrations!
Laura, oh bummer. But, how cool that you used to live nearby.
Brittany
amazingggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a great idea! I agree, just amazing! Wish I lived closer I’d be there!
Ohhhhh girl! I think I’m getting lipstick on the pig on this one. SORRY!
I love where you’re going with this, it’s a great re-work of an item you weren’t going to use! I might have used ribbon in place of the beads, though – to cover up the glue more. Also, maybe three more votive holders to really make it be a statement, in between the four you’ve got. Yes/no? What do you think?
It could be a great addition to a fall table with those colors, for sure. 🙂
You don’t need luck for your presentation, you’ll do just great!
Thanks for being GREEN!!!!
What a brilliant idea! I’m so impressed that you found something lovely to do with an uninspiring light fixture.
What a great way to repurpose that light fixture. I especially love the added touch of the beads. Well done!
I’m kinda jealous of all that great stuff in your trunk. 🙂
SOOOO cute! Great idea!
That is brilliant! You could go so many different ways with this. I love it.
Quite a makeover for the dreaded Hollywood fixture!
I am very interested in your tutorial for turning the cabinets into a bench, but I don’t live anywhere near your area. Will you be sharing the tutorial on your blog?
Thanks for the great ideas!
Wow and I recently replaced mine and threw the old hollywood light fixture away.. Shame on me. 🙁 I could’ve been creative like you and done something cool with it.
I will definitely make it to the demonstration. The two times I’ve been to the restore I just get kinda overwhelm and don’t know what I should get. So it would be cool to see a demo and hopefully kick my brain in gear and get some ideas from there. Look forward to meeting ya. 🙂
Phooey, just got rid of a couple of these!!! What a great idea! Wish I lived in the area, I would so be there for your demos!!! 🙂
HA! Lipstick on a pig… I haven’t heard that since I was a little girl! 🙂
This is amazing and beautiful! I coordinate a Christmas Tea every year and I will be sharing this classy, inexpensive idea for a table decoration 🙂 Thanks!
Michele Shepherd
TalkForTots
PHG – you continue to amaze me!
Love this – you are so clever. Wish I lived close by to attend your Restore demo. Sounds like a terrific event. You will do great.
Love it! I smiled when you mentioned the hot glue gun. I may need to go back and read that post. I currently have a couple of blisters from that sort of thing. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
OOOOOoooo, I wish I lived in NC! LOVE this idea for the votives — I need an excuse to get rid of my old light fixture — exactly the one in your photo (I think) — AND recycling! A twofer! I hope you’ll share your holiday decorations on your blog – I do lots of shopping at the Restore too!
Oh my goodness! I love that! Those light fixtures are pretty common around here – this is great use for them!
I love that you’re partnering with your habitat store – that is cool beyond words!
Brilliant!
So cute! I love that you took something discarded and turned it into something great. Love it!
Draga, tebi nikada ne nedostaje ideja. Kao i uvijek – originalno, precizno i uvijek savršeno!. Pozdrav
That’s super creative! I love the way the beads look and that Krylon is awesome! Thanks for sharing the how-to, I’ll be linking.
Rachel,
Thanks so much for sharing it on your site!
I love this! I do lots of rehabbing and I’m always tossing ugly fixtures, while wishing I could think of a new use for them. Your project is brilliant!
Wow, Awesome idea!