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I spotted these remarkably ugly light fixtures in the dumpster today. My dad, the man that never throws anything away, was tossing them. He said he couldn't imagine anyone in their right mind would want them...not even for free. I guess he just doesn't understand us junkers!
I gingerly pulled them out from under the bags of smelly waste and am delighted to announce Ugliest Light Fixture in the World Contest.
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Here's the scoop. Simply share your ideas to repurpose/redesign any or all of the fixtures. I will transform one of the fixtures using the winning idea. You can comment as many times as you like before Monday May 4 2009 9 PM Central time. This is a brainstorming contest...so no idea is a bad idea!
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I will re-craft and photograph the winning idea the following week and post the winner along with a final photo on Monday May 11 2009.
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I have asked style guru Matthew Mead to help me pick the winning design. Entries will be judged on creativity, style, originality, and do ability. If there are duplicate ideas, I will go with the first comment unless the latter includes a different twist.
What will you win? A gift certificate to Junk Revolution's online store for $100. Wow! And I do all the work. On your mark, get set, think junk!
Don't forget Mother's Day is May 10th...give the gift that keeps on junking! Junk Revolution Gift Certificates now available!
Peace,
Ki
The metal one with tubes would make an interesting candle holder.
ReplyDeleteMargo
Well, my idea is to take the silver one with the tubes and use it as the ceiling medallion with the tubes pointing down. Wire the tubes so that you could use small chandelier bulbs at the opening of each tube. The 'tube' lights should be capped with beaded bulb cozies. (You know the ones they use for chandelier bulbs.) The light with the long rod and white ball shade should be threaded through the center of the silver part so that it hangs down from the center. Paint the entire fixture with fushia paint and then a coat of spray adhesive so that you can shake silver glitter over it for a little 'sparkle'. :-) Thanks, that was FUN! Tami E.
ReplyDeletei have 2 ideas for the one with the tubes. 1 - put candles in the tubes ( you can tie tags with a letter for each letter in their name or just tie matching ribbon the same as your cake) and put your birthday cake in the middle. 2 - put candles in the tubes and a vase of flowers in the middle or a candle in the middle and flowers in the tubes.
ReplyDeleteanother idea for the birthday cake idea......tie a tag with each letter for H A P P Y and then the # of their birthday!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, the second light fisture (pendant style) can be transformed in seconds using a school house light shade (I have found many at places like Goodwill). AS long as you find one with the right diameter to fit the base, you will have yourself one beautiful school house light fixture.
ReplyDeletePick me, Matthew!!
OOps, I'm a dummy! I looked at that fixture too quickly...didn't notice that there is nothing to fir the new shade to.
ReplyDeleteOh well, I never win anything anyway...
Great idea. I can't wait to see the brass one, I threw one just like it away when we moved into this house, not my taste. ~Ann
ReplyDeleteFor the brass one (I had one just like it!) remove the lightbulbs and spray paint it with flat black or semi gloss paint. Put the lights back on and wah la! Looks like the expensive wroght iron ones! I also put pip berries around the arms of mine! Can't wait to see what you do!
ReplyDeleteGeez lou-eeze, I thought the contest was to MAKE it into the ugliest light......LOL
ReplyDeleteTami
How about taking the brass fixture, unwire it all, remove the lamps until you have just a saucer left. Paint it with an outdoor, rusty looking paint. Add clay saucers on each of the metal arms. Hang it in a tree so the birds can eat in style!
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Does it have to be a light fixture after the renovation?
For the silver one with the tubes, paint with rusty outdoor paint. Top each tube with a clay saucer. Attach the whole until to a piece of re-bar. Put in the garden for candles or again feed the birds! I guess I am ready for Spring and outdoor projects!
ReplyDeleteLaurie
hahaha! Have to tell you! We have one of the globe ones in our shop right now. We put white Christmas lights into the globe put it down into the hole in the middle of an outdoor table and used it as a center piece during our Christmas open house. EVERYONE wanted it!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your questions...No it does not have to remain a light fixture. Think repurpose! And the goal is not to make it uglier...think beautiful junk. Be creative. I own tools and will run to a craft or home improvement store for materials if that is necessary. Goodluck!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Ki
These ideas are for using the silver pedant light with the white glass ball shade on the bottom.
ReplyDelete1st idea: "Gazing ball." Swirl one or more colors of nail polish on the inside of the shade. Tip over so excess drains out. Put in the garden/flower bed and use as a gazing ball.
2nd idea: "Glass garden totem." Make a glass garden totem. Use pieces of glass that are stacked and glued with the white shade being used as the topper (see links to my pics below for example).
3rd idea: "Glass garden totem on a stick." Glue glass globe shade to a small plate. Glue a skinny bud vase upside down to the bottom of the plate (so that the opening of the vase is facing down toward the ground). Hammer a piece of PVC or other pipe into the ground, then set the entire glass thing on the pipe. The bud vase holds everything in place on the pipe.
Here are some pics of the glass totems..I've made many of them, here are a few:
http://theundomesticatedwife.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-project-glass-garden-totems.html
http://theundomesticatedwife.blogspot.com/2009/03/signs-of-spring.html
Ok Ki...My serious ideas are as follows...the silver spikey fixture - I would set that on the patio and use the tube parts to hold patio votive-candle spikes (can't stick them into the lawn if you're on the patio).
ReplyDeleteThe white one with the ball at the end - I would take it apart, stand the rod up in my garden and put a terracotta saucer (from a planter pot) on top and use it for a bird bath. It can be painted, or not.
I think the brass one should be spray painted bronze, the electric parts taken out and it could be hung from a pergola or patio roof and used for candles. :-) Tami
For the brass one, take out the wires and get rid of the bulbs paint it a fab glossy chinese red, mount it on a stand and attach makeshift or real coasters to the cups for a DRINKS CADDY!
ReplyDeletexo lulu redstar
Since I probably won't be winning this contest, I did enter myself in another give-away: http://www.matthewmeadstyle.com/blog/2009/04/22/grass-roots-effort-victoria-magazine/ Check out the post for a chance to win a subscription to Victoria...except, I am doubtful you or I could win. It might look a little funny...!! :)
ReplyDeleteFor the brass one:
ReplyDeleteTake all the wires out. Take that part out that looks like a faux candle. Paint flat brown. Wrap grape vines or kudzu vines around arms. Make little nests for each of the saucer things. Fold origami birds or make birds out of paper mache or find little craft birds. Place them in the nests and hang them from the arms. Use as a pretty mobile in a baby's room or in your own room to the side of your bed (handing from the ceiling, of course).
For the one that looks like tubes: unwire it. Spray it with a water sealer. Using a water pump system, take the tubey thing and use it as the "shower" head for an outdoor shower or fountain. In hanging basket fashion, use netting, potting soil, and hens and chicks plants to adorn the outdoor shower/fountain.
ReplyDeleteI love everyone's ideas! This is so fun. I instantly thought to paint the brass one a coral color, perfect for summer. Then I would rewire it to hang upside down. In each bulb area and the very middle I would install those medium sized round ball bulbs. It would be the perfect mix of modern and vintage.
ReplyDeleteThe chandelier would make a great teacup chandelier. Drill holes in teacups and saucers and attach them to each tube.
ReplyDeleteI would also paint the brass a creamy white or a pale pink.
I have to tell my husband that I must have a gift certificate. great idea. I have to think about your contest... what a terrific idea to have this contest.
ReplyDeleteLuLu
For that first silver one, how about a coat/hat rack? Mount it flat against the wall. Attach a door knob or pull to each stem. For an personalized touch, mount a round frame or object in the center. Hang hats, coats, etc.
ReplyDeleteFor the one with the 6 tubes of varying lengths - paint it a fun color (lime green comes to mind) - then attach small vintage saucers and/or bowls in complimentary colors to the ends of the tubes. Use as a serving piece by filling the saucers with snack foods and setting a dip or sauces in a larger bowl in the center. Or it could be a fun centerpiece with a vase of fresh flowers set in the center and candles in each saucer.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm itching for spring... I've come up with some outside ideas...
ReplyDeleteThe silver one I would paint some springy color, add terra cotta pots or maybe cute tea cups and plant some flowers in them or make them birdfeeders... or even put stems in the tubes...
The globe one I would take the globe off and use the amazing stone paint I found at Wal-Mart and make it into a gazing ball, take the rest and use as a base for a bird feeder or bird bath, using an old ceiling light fixture.
The brass one, I have done before and LoVeD the result. I painted it a green color, removed the lights and holders, added candles and candle holders, put some crystals or berry garland in the arms and use it for porch lighting.
Can't wait to see the results!
I would remove the bulb holders on the brass fixture, paint it a vintage sage green, add teacups and saucers or small flower pots to each arm and use it as a hanging flower garden.
ReplyDeletestaci @ niftyvintage.com
Take a combination of all fixtures and make it into a table top HAT STAND.Use the muliti arm silver thing as the base.Take the white bulb off of the hanging light. Put the flange end down screwed into the center hole. Turn the other flange ceiling end over so the curve is up. Take apart the chandelier and use the curved parts under the candles on top of each silver tube part, glue on. Spray paint matte black. Cover all of the curved tops with padding and black and white toile fabric. Glue some vintage hat pictures on the base, glue braid or buttons around the outside edge. Presto chango, a darling hat stand. I want it!
ReplyDeleteCandee
I forgot to say the you leave the long pole on so that it stands up taller in the center. Put the smalled curved end down on the flat surface and the larger up covered with fabric. I wish I could draw a picture!
ReplyDeleteCandee
Shucks. Am just catching up on some reading and saw that this closed Monday. Oh, well. Y'all have fun picking the winner. Looks like you got lots of ideas! I was leaning toward the funky, multi-silver piece...burlap and jute with gerber daisies...the brass needs to be painted black and hung from a pergola with candles and hurricane lamps...the long one? Remove the white globe and use as a hat rack, or towel holder in the bath...oh well! I sure coulda used $100 at your store! ugh. ~Mindy
ReplyDeleteHere goes...
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the fixture with the tubes -- I immediately thought "Flag Stand": spray it a a blue or even black or leave it silver and add vintage American flags at varied heights for a great Memorial Day/July 4th Table Piece.
The classic chandelier needs to be de-wired & de-bulbed, spray painted a lime green with a bit of moss added and then hung in my chippy white outhouse in my apple orchard. I am only an hour & a half from the twin cities... orchard will be in full bloom mid-May -- come on over!!
As for the Lamp Ball - think I would set that in a round grate cover that has been raised on 4 white door nobs just enough so the ball doesn't roll ---then I would fill it with water and daisies, daisies, daisies!
Kari
Love all of the ideas. Can't wait to see which one you choose!
ReplyDelete~Jennifer
Ki. You are so right. My head is confused with dates and lists of things to do. I'll try to put a better effort into my suggestion then!
ReplyDeleteThe multi-headed fixture: Burlap. Cut holes for each post. place burlap over the silver base and secure from the underside. Then, use pieces of burlap and jute to affix to each post. You can do it clean or not so clean. I think clean might be the better route. It's not easy to tell how wide the posts are. If you can gut them of their works, do so. If a glass cigar holder or smaller test tube will fit inside, slip it in. Then fill with water and place your favorite gerber daisy. If you can't go with the test tube or glass holder inside, then use dried grasses inside the tubes. In fact, you could place a burlap covered plant in the middle and surround it with grasses or daisies or whatever.
That is my best thought on that one for today. But, I see that I have time to keep thinking. So, you may hear back from me.
Again, thanks for hollering at me. You rock! ~Mindy
the thing with the tubes i would turn upsidedown and paint your desired color. then feed fishing line throught the holes and hang anything of your choice to create a windchime.
ReplyDeletethe glass ball i would stuff with tube lighting and put ontop of a old bird bath pedistool turned upsidedown to make an interesting twist on the gazing ball.yu can get the tube lighting in various colors so let you imagination run wild.
OK...I have a few ideas
ReplyDelete1. The silver modern round fixture...add a lazy susan to the bottom, use the "tubes" for skewers with fresh fruit or bread cubes, place a small fondue pot in the center.
2. The same fixture as in # 1 (above) place a flower arrangement in the center and stems or candles in the individual tubes.
3. Again, same fixture.... use individual tubes for paint brushes of different sizes, store paint in center, add a round container.
4. The brass fixture, paint fixture a bright spring color (or color to coordinate with a table scape), remover white tubes and light bulbs, suspend fixture over buffet table, use individual "cups" to serve condiments, toothpicks, candies, mints, party favors, etc.
Still thinking about the last fixture.....hmmmmmmm!
Thanks,
That really was fun!
OK, Ki, my suggestion is to paint the ugly brass chandeleier a great color, and then adorn it with every kind of crystal and bead you can get yer hands on to bling it up!
ReplyDeleteI actually did this to a similar light for my dining room - it's high gloss black and is SO swanky! You & Matthew can check out my blog post and photos of it here: http://hummadeedledee.blogspot.com/2008/11/let-there-be-light.html
I would use the light fixture with the candle type lights as a tea cup candle holder.
ReplyDeleteNot an original idea but I have been looking for a light fixture exactly like that one to make this project out of(-:
I would de-electrify it and then probably spray it white and antique it. I would remove the fake candle/light bulbs leaving the little "saucer."
Then I would use vintage tea cups and saucers to hold votives.
The tea cups and saucers could be glued to the exsisting "saucers."
I also like the idea of using terra cotta cups/saucers or terra cotta pots with the old fixture painted flat black. It would make a great garden decoration. Of course some pip berry garland would look nice wrapped around the fixture in places too(-:
CiNdEeS' GaRdEn
Okay, here goes! I didn't read the other comments as I don't want to be influenced so sorry, if someone has already said any of these. For the light fixture with all the tubes coming out, I would keep it a light fixture and have hanging lights coming out of each of the tubes. And the hanging lights would be wine bottles, the bottoms cut off, and a light bulb inserted into the wine bottle with the cord going through the neck of the bottle(make since??). The long hanging bulb type lamp, I might try making it into a table by taking the globe off of it (and using it for some other project) and attaching the bottom of it to some type of metal base (maybe a large bar bell weight?) and placing a small glass piece on the top, for a small side table. It could maybe cut down, too, for a table rise. Couldn't think of anything really for the third one (sorry), but maybe rusting it out and making it into a candlier. There ya go...thems theres all my idears...ha!
ReplyDeleteLanette
Idea #1:
ReplyDeleteUse the first two fixtures together to create a topiary: the tube fixture is the base, and you need to paint it in browns and weave your choice of "fiber" around the tubes to create a basket. (You could use telephone wires, craft wires, fabric strips, yarns and fun fibers, twine, rafia, ...you get the idea.) Paint the stem of the globe fixture in browns as well to mimic a branch. You could then wrap the "branch" with ivy, if you like. Mount the globe fixture in the center of your basket so that the globe is standing up. Fill the basket (i.e. cover up the base of the other fixture) with moss, potpourri, etc. Then comes the fun part: glue assorted mosses, silk flowers, leaves, feathers, etc. all over the globe to make it lush and full, taking care not to make it look too perfect. Voila`, a topiary!
Idea #2:
Using the "chandelier" to create an innovative and unique serving tray for your next cocktail party: Remove all wiring, bulbs and "candles" from the fixture, leaving only the disks, and paint the fixture to coordinate with your dining room decor. Gather matching (or NOT matching) saucers or small appetizer or dessert plates, and glue them onto each disc. If you like, you could wrap the "spokes" of the fixture with wire, fabric strips, yarns or fun fibers, rafia, beads, etc. When not in use as a serving tray, you could put tealights on each saucer to create a lovely centerpiece.
Anna
www.annasplaceofholding.blogspot.com
The silver tube one, I want to suggest a plant stand or small side table. Keep it silver and add dowel rods in each tube to a desired height add a wooden round top and paint the dowel rods and wood a high gloss black.(or any color) A wood base might have to be added too, for stability.
ReplyDeleteThe silver tube on would look great painted whatever color your bedroom was and attach it to the wall with a bracket, find some really cool finials for the end of each one. Mount it to the wall and use it the hang your pajamas or bathrobe, necklaces, ties the list is endless as to what you could hang from it.
ReplyDeleteThe drop style with the big white glass (?) ball just calls to me to be a lighed globe of some sort... maybe not exact, more arty and use glass paint that way the light could shine through. In myhead it all looks very cool..real life might be a differnt matter :)
ReplyDeleteMaddie
I would turn the globe fixture into a large flower by securing the bottom with a heavy iron piece of junk (i.e. decorative grate). The globe would be the center of the flower. For petals maybe fluted tube cake pan and fan blades. Paint either a bright flowery colours or rusty woodsy colours. Would be cute in a little girls room as a light.
ReplyDeleteI have the ugliest light fixture ever in my living room. I would take a photo, but I am afraid for my camera's very life. It came with our house that we bought in June and so far it hasn't made it to the top of the To-Do List. I sincerely wish I didn't have more important projects to do first, though, because it pretty much detracts from living rooms natural charm. Think bronze, copper, and hurricane glass over teardrop bulbs. *shudders*
ReplyDeleteThe one with the white globe, turn into a barber style lamp, with the light on top. Get a round tube like PVC or a heavy cardboard sona tube(construction)and paint it white and red diaganoal stripe. You may need to add a wood base.
ReplyDeleteTrying to incorporate all 3 fixtures into one workable idea. This idea came as I was visiting our sons grave. I love the idea of the glowing gravemarkers, they bring me comfort.
ReplyDeleteHere goes:
Take the metal w/5 for base...glue golfballs on each-mini heads/faces.
Attach the metal w/globe base (as is)to the first-for main angel head that will have glow sensor inside.
Remove 2 arms from candelabra fixture-leave on bulbs...make wings for angel (can also sensor these.
Make small sign that says: angels on high and use chain to hang it.
Ready entire piece for painting/adorn with flowers/vines/moss/faces,make sign etc.
voila' :) may just need some added weight on bottom?
Honestly I am not taking the time to read everyone's ideas, so these may already be here, but for the metal one you could put corks on the top of each tube and then wires twisted at the top in the corks for a picture holder.
ReplyDeleteThe globe one, if the stem part is rigid, I would mount it to a base, use vinyl numbers and put your house number on it and then set it in a flowerbed near the front of the house or walkway.
And the brass one--I am not sure what to do with that hasn't been done. Maybe spray paint it and then use as a jewelry holder, necklaces draped across the arms, earring placed in the cups, bracelets over the arms. It would be kind of fun hangin in a bedroom or dressing room--for those lucky enought to have one of those Ü.
The ugliest light fixture in the world contest is officially over. Matthew Mead and I are going through all your incredibly creative ideas and I will start building the winning project idea asap, so it is ready for next week. Thanks everyone for brainstorming and sharing your junk brilliance!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Ki
Paint the entire fixture with fushia paint and then a coat of spray adhesive so that you can shake silver glitter over it for a little 'sparkle'. :-) Thanks, that was FUN! Tami E.
ReplyDeleteWork from home India