You are about to see the crowning jewel of the dining room. I have long loved the Cellula chandelier, although the price tag makes me faint. The dining room mood board included the lower-end linear strand crystal chandelier, but the $349 price tag was still more than I wanted to spend. So, of course, I made my own DIY version for about $170. I first saw the idea on Ikea Hackers with a Glimt light, which Ikea no longer stocks.
My DIY version also starts with a $60 light from Ikea. The Tidig is modern, linear, and comes with either four or six lights. I chose the six light model to make a big statement over the dining table and to accommodate a longer table if I choose to go that route in the future. The Tidig comes with white glass shades, but for my project I installed the light without the shades. Note: I am still thinking about ways to safely disguise the black threaded areas above the bulbs. I would like them to be silver to blend in. I think some silver electrical tape might do the trick.
The rest of this DIY is all about crystals. Lots of sparkle! The inspiration chandeliers each feature a variety of crystal prism shapes. I was not sure how many crystals would be required for my 50″ light, so I just ordered a bunch I liked and hoped for the best. I could always have ordered more later.
I fell hard for these giant pendalogue crystals from Etsy seller, Lecha Dodi. They were 2 for $20. At that rate, I was not going to beat even the price on the lower-end Z Gallerie chandelier. So, I purchased the lot of 2 and then continued to search for some other lower cost crystals. I found an amazing selection at Venus and Stars on Etsy. They have a huge variety of styles. The crystals were smaller, but came in larger quantities and a much lower price per crystal. I purchased another 40 crystals from Venus and Stars along with 3 feet of crystal octagon chain garland, which had about 50 individual crystals. My last stop was Yummy Treasures on Etsy, where I found a much cheaper alternative…vintage acrylic clear pendants. The sizes again were smaller and they were plastic, but at such an inexpensive price I thought I would give them a try too. I ordered 10 more “crystals” from Yummy Treasures to complete my crystal shopping spree. The total price for approximately 100 crystals was $110 including shipping.
When the crystals arrived, I drooled over them. They were all gorgeous, even the acrylic ones look amazing. You could only tell the difference by picking them up. Anyway, the crystals arrived before we had hung the light fixture, so I spent several evenings just playing with the crystals and laying them out in different patterns. Once I got something I liked I snapped an iPhone picture to refer to when I finally put the light together.
After the light was installed (easiest light I have ever installed, by the way), I set out to hang the crystals. I bought clear beading string, crimp beads, and a crimp tool from the jewelry making section at Michaels. I thought the clear string would look the best and make the crystals float from the fixture. Unfortunately, after hanging the first few, a crystal dropped. I think they were too heavy for the string and crimp beads. Back to the drawing board I went. Wire was a much sturdier option, but I worried about how noticeable it would be. I headed back to the jewelry section to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by the 26 gauge wire, which is really fine. I held it up to the light in the store and it was about equally as visible as the clear string (because even clear string with light shining on it is visible).
The wire worked wonderfully. When the light is on in the evening all you see is the sparkle.
The glimmer from the crystals and the glow from the lights brings an amazing glamour and warmth to the room. The light extends almost the full length of the table and makes a dramatic statement.
P.S. Did you notice the naked artwork? Don’t worry those canvases are going to be beautified shortly to add some much needed art above the board and batten wall treatment. Also, the makeshift centerpiece is temporary too. I have big plans for the glass vases, besides holding the pretty glass christmas baubles I used for styling and photography practice.
Sharing this project here:
Delightfully Noted
Love this room! It’s turning out to be so beautiful!
why not use a silver acrylic paint (like the folk-art brand)… i dunno if that would work, but i can only imagine it will! it’s beautiful regardless!!!
I like that idea. Do you think paint would be safe on that part of the light?
this is lovely! I think you achieved what you were hoping for! and much much more reasonably priced!
this looks so fun!! and what a wonderful savings- i like it better than the original!!! i would love to see all the shimmery light and rainbows everywhere :)
Jamie,
The glamour this thing gives off! The rainbows are beautiful…I love them best in the natural daylight. Since the base of the walls is white where the board and batten is I think the rainbows are even more noticeable bouncing around the room. Thanks for visiting!
This is so cool!!!! I love it. “pinning” this now :)
xx liz
OH wow! Love it! Sharing on Pinterest!
New follower too :)
Thanks,
Angie from A Little Inspiration
Beautiful! Well done. Gives me inspiration to DIY a small chandelier for my music room! Came over from A2D. I’m your newest follower!
Thank you Jennifer. Oooh…a chandelier in a music room sounds heavenly!!!
This is gorgeous! Love the different crystals you added and the varied heights. Visiting from TT&J! Thanks for sharing!
Allison,
Thanks for stopping by. I must say picking out all those crystals was a lot of fun…a girl can’t help love a little bling! Might sound weird to wear part of a chandelier, but I had one extra crystal that I hope to make into a necklace.
they’re gorgeous! :) add a sparkle to the room!
p.s. i don’t think its weird to wear a chandelier out! :)
xx, zhing
Oh now that is just gorgeous! What a fantastic idea. It’s just glistens beautifully. And it’s so elegant looking. Please come link this to my VIP party this weekend http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/10/vip-party-34.html and have a Happy Halloween!
Okay, every time I go to comment on a project from TT&J- it turns out to be one of yours! You and your crafts have got it going on!
:)crafty texas girls
That looks so pretty and so close to what you wanted! I just saw this on AD2D and had to come congratulate you on your beautiful chandelier. I was thinking that maybe you could use a candle sleeve cover and spray it chrome to cover the threads. I don’t know how you would attach it, but I think a little bit of glue would hold it in place.
What a great idea! I love the look of the crystals and the horizontal line of the light. It looks great in your dining room!
This is INCREDIBLE! I love the linear idea. So beautiful. Thank you so much for linking up!
This is beautiful, classy and sounds so diy-friendly…thank you and loove how it turned out!!
theleaflets.blogspot.com
I just saw this on curbly! I love it btw. And as far as covering the black threaded part, would those white sleeves that go over candelabra sockets work? If the did you could spray paint them silver. Even if they don’t fit you could use 2 and cut down the middle and overlap them.
Soldering wire is safe to use and could be easily wrapped around the socket. I’m not sure if it would soften being close to heat. Another option would be silver plated wire from a jewelry store. It comes in different gauges.
Simply amazing! I’ve had a chandelier similar to this in my “Inspiration File” for a long time now, and I’ve wanted to try my hand at making one, but I have nowhere to use it! Yours turned out so great, and it perfectly complements the size and shape of the table. Brilliant! I’ve featured it on this week’s link party highlights. :)
Beautiful & unique!
to die for. Thanks for the sharing.
I sooooo remember seeing your chandelier around & I can sersiouly see why this was your favorite project of the year! It is simply stunning & I literally just looked around to see where I could hang one of these puppies in my home! Thanks for linking up to my “Best of 2011” [party!
Beautiful! I made a chandelier with bare bulbs and hung crystal ornaments on it for Christmas. I like the look so much I don’t want to take down the ornaments!
This is so pretty! I’m totally impressed that you DIYd it. It looks so elegant and professional! :)
Why not try silver foil tape? It is the kind used for ductwork (not to be confused with duct tape) and is heat-proof and shiny silver, obviously! Shame on you for revving my imagination up! Beautiful, beautiful.
You did such a wonderful job! Consider using Silver Leaf Rub ‘n Buff to cover the sockets. It gives a magical gleam and would complement the crystals.
Found you via Pinterest.
Rosie
Rosemary,
Why didn’t I think of that? Rub N Buff would probably be great. I just want to tone down those black sockets just a bit. Thanks for giving me the idea.
This is gorgeous. Why not try a silver paint. Sherry did a similar thing on Young House Love darkening a light frame. http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/02/lightening-up-heading-out/
Gorgeous. Try silver Rub ‘n Buff on the black. It’s about $3 a tube and sticks to ant surface. Just wear gloves, put a bit on your finger and rub in (and move crystals and wires aside). I’ve used the product on all sorts of projects to even out finishes.
I think Rub N Buff it is. All the suggestions have been great, but I think this will be the easiest and look the most natural. Thanks Sue!
Beautiful!! To disguise the black sockets, why don’t you try wrapping the wire you used to hang the crystals? You could wrap the wire tightly/close together to completely cover the black or more loosely to let a little black peak through. However, I think it’s awesome how it is!
Gorgeous! You did an amazing job with the whole room. Love it!
Wow, what an amazing light! Found you through Young House Love–new follower!
I just found your blog via pinterest, and wanted to thank you for taking the time to post about this gorgeous light! I really love it and I am definately going to try this too, so I also appreciate that you listed where to get all of the supplies.
Thank you!
Beautiful and inspirational!
Wow! I have been coveting the ZGallerie version for awhile. Finally decided to just go for it and I come across this! Now I’m thinking about trying this instead.
Hi! I found silver high heat spray paint made for grills, ovens, auto engines that works great to cover the black socket. It’s found easily at Home Depot. Safer than tape I think!
love the light. you could use some kind of silver paper cut in a square and double sided tape to make a cylinder and put it around the top part of the light so it isnt touching the black but covers it. Mabe spray paint a thicker paper with a hardware looking silver.
Ah Ha!!!!! I figured out what you can use for to cover the black which is safe… silver electrical tape. It comes in all different colors now.
Thanks Kimberly. That sounds like a quick and easy solution. I will have to look for silver electrical tape.
This is stunning! Thank you for posting. I want to make this for my place.
In response to your note:
“I am still thinking about ways to safely disguise the black threaded areas above the bulbs. I would like them to be silver to blend in. I think some silver electrical tape might do the trick.”
I think there are a few ideas that would work to disguise the black threaded areas. Of course, you could silver-leaf them, paint them, silver tape them as you mentioned, but here’s what I would do. I love working with wire. You are already using silver wire to hang the crystals. Why not wrap the black threaded areas with the same silver wire? It’s quick, easy, unique, and in keeping with the linear style and materials used in your very creative chandelier!
This is beautiful! I’m so impressed!
Simply stunning! Did you successfully cover the black yet? Curious to know if rub n buff was safe given the heat or if you tried a different tactic instead.
This is amazing! I love it! and I love your blog!
Where there is a will there is a way! And, you did it. Would like to see your finished project after covering up the black. Was looking for Ikea’s Chandelier when I found your project. Not sure if the lighting would be bright enough for me in a kitchen over an island. What do you think?
Rita,
The light is pretty bright…enough for my dining room. Just remember the crystals cause some shadows. If you have another source of light in the kitchen, like can lights, then it will be fine.
I was look for a similar chandelier and when I found it I did not want to spend $900 for it. Thank you for showing us how to make it for less but I want to add a shade to mine.My son’s and I will figure it out. If you have any pointers let me know.
Eula, The original light I used from Ikea came with small glass shades over the lights. I just removed them because I liked the look without the shades.
Do you know if this type of light would work on a slightly sloped/vaulted ceiling? Is it adjustable for angles at all? Thanks. Beautiful idea.
Marissa, The wires on each side suspending the light are adjustable. Just make sure you use a level to make sure the light is level after adjusting for the slope.