Coral-inspired chandelier rehab with the kids (Dec 2015 - Jan 2016)

Castoff chandelier transformed with plaster into coral

Our kitchen and dining areas have never had a great amount of light. Over the years the dated track lights had mostly burned out and were difficult to replace. In desperation I hung a paper lantern from IKEA over our table a few years ago, and it helped, but I've wanted a more permanent solution. I've trolled Houzz and various magazines for ideas but lighting is ridiculously expensive. Some DIYer paint old fixtures eccentric colors, but that never grabbed me. Covering an old fixture in plaster, on the other hand, was interesting. I liked the chalky, neutral look of a dipped or sculpted lamp.

Old ceiling lamp, minus a heavy ball of brass that used to be attached underneath

So one day at Habitat ReStore I perused the selection of donated lamps that were donated. If I could find something with the right size and basic shape, for minimal investment, I figure I'd take a chance and make it over with plaster. But I was confused: all of the lamps had a snipped wire on top. What could I do with that? The folks there explained to me that the wires can be connected to an existing electrical box; we've been needing an electrician's help on some other projects so I figured, what's one more? At the urging of another customer, I haggled over the price of a big, brassy monster (yes, I haggled with a charity) and hauled home 40 or so lbs of dusty metal for $17.

Electrical parts are protected and the bucket keeps everything steady

After buying a device to test the sockets to make sure they'd work, I put down a drop cloth and propped the lamp in a plastic bucket so I could reach around its arms. My daughter and I had purchased gauze dipped in plaster of paris from Michael's, and snipped it into small pieces. Then we got a small bucket of water and started dipping the pieces in and wrapping them around the lamp.

My daughter fearlessly starts layering on the plaster-coated strips

I was so glad to have a project I could work on with my kids and not worry about something getting damaged. The lamp was not precious, and drips of plaster are easily wiped up or chipped off. I flashed back to my childhood art teacher, who took on ambitious projects with elementary school kids (Mrs. Quakenbush, wherever you are, thank you). And of course my Mom was awesome, constantly giving us the clay, fabric, etc. to be creative. I want my kids to have that type of experience.

Much of the lamp is now chalky and white

As the brassiness changed over to matte white, the lamp resembled a barnacle-coated artifact from a shipwreck. I liked the look and wasn't sure if we needed to keep going with the coral idea. But at a minimum, something had to be done about the fake "candlesticks" -- they had been covered in plastic tubes that I had immediately (prematurely) discarded. Underneath were some wires that I didn't think should be coated with plaster. But how could I make that area look cohesive? I went back to Michaels and found some wire mesh, and without knowing quite what to do, I bent rough forms around each stem so we had a surface for some plaster. I'm not wile about the result but don't have a better idea.

Mesh keeps plaster away from wires (painters tape keeps sockets clear of debris)

Layers of plaster cover the mesh to create a ... tulip shape?

Now what? I decided we might as well try to go with coral shapes to distract from the bulky socket covers. I started piling up small blobs to simulate knobs and protrusions of some types of coral. It took a long time to build up each little bump, and I was getting tired, when my 6 year old son plopped down next to me and asked to help. He started smooshing big, messy gobs onto the side of the lamp. They looked awkward compared to the smooth pieces my daughter and I had labored over. But they stuck way out, and I had a breakthrough: this is how we can efficiently create extra "branches" of coral! We could quickly apply lots of shapes, then later apply a polished layer over them.

New shapes emerge from the formerly smooth surface

We kept at this on and off for a few more days. Towards the end I asked the kids to use the plaster dust to create a paste and smear it over any areas that still looked like fabric (the weave was very visible in some areas). Ultimately I broke out an old tub of gesso and handed my 8 year old a paintbrush. She went to town, filling in seams and imperfections.

This has taken up a pretty big chunk of our kitchen for two weeks

Finally it was time for the electricians to come and hang the lamp. I was nervous that it might not be functional. What if it was too heavy? What if there was an issue with the wiring after all? What if they just laughed and said, "no way!" ...? I kept my fingers crossed that it would work out.

Propped on the counter in anticipation of replacing the IKEA pendant in the background

Turns out there were a few parts missing that were crucial for hanging a chandelier, but thankfully the best hardware store ever (Ayers in Westover) is not far. And of course they had the odd bits that were needed. Because they're mystical.

Electricians sketched the pieces that I needed to find

The chandelier went up. The power turned on. It worked! I picked the kids up from school and they were SO PROUD of their achievement. It's not for everyone, but it is for us! I love it. And if we want to make it bigger, bolder, smoother, a different color? We can do it. With a step ladder.

Finished product in place