One of my favorite shows on HGTV is Home by Novogratz, I adore that zany, loving family and their style is just so inspiring. I love the surprise factor of their found treasures and the risk in their ideas. Nearly ever show Courtney Novogratz mentions how every home needs a chandelier in their home. I agree 100% with this notion and as a renter there is a limited amount you can do with lighting. I pondered the idea one afternoon with Rick, and then went into our bedroom and ripped the fabric off a lamp shade, it was rather invigorating because we never used the lamp and it had turned a shade of dust.

I loved the bones of the lamp shade and thought maybe, I can make a lampchelier. Rick and I laughed hysterically by the name but knew we had a good idea to complete. Luckily, the gem faire was visiting in Santa Barbara and we went looking for something that would work as a chandelier effect. I decided on champagne colored baubles in two different shapes.

How To Make A Lampchelier

Here are my recommendations for the lampshade:

• Use a lamp shade from your house (that your are comfortable with using) and rip off the fabric
• Scour a thrift store for a lampshade and rip off the fabric to expose only the metal. (obviously, buying it first)
• Search at antique shoppes/junk shacks/estate sales/garage sales

Beads, baubles, gems, and pearls can run a lot of money for covering the lamp, here are some tips:

• If you live near LA, visit the bead district in downtown LA
• Keep your eye out for the traveling gem faires, typically visiting major cities twice a year
• Purchase Mardi Gras beads at dollar stores and spray paint a solid color such as a pale yellow or turquoise (great for a room needing a pop of color)
• Mix beads with fabric such as lace, strips of old fabric, tulle

To construct, use bead wire, crimps and bead tools, you can also use fishing wire to save on money. Here is a video description.

Oh so pretty.

Rick thought the lamp needed more coverage to ease the intensity of the light, I agreed and cut strips of fabric and adhered them with fabric glue. The fabric created more color and well, made it even more adorable.

Check out those sparkles…

Sadly, less than ten minutes of finishing my lampchelier a gust of wind knocked it off my nightstand and it broke! So now I will need to mend the metal and restrand a few beads. Needless to say, this is a work in progress…