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Update a Dome Ceiling Light with Faceted Crystals

Written by Cass

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When you think of a stylish ceiling light, odds are that you are thinking of pretty much anything *but* the ubiquitous builder-grade glass dome lights… often affectionately called “boob lights” (sorry!) There are lots of nice flushmount fixtures that you can purchase to replace your standard lights, but what I love about today’s tutorial is that it is a simple way to update the existing fixture rather than just replacing it.
Say no to ugly ceiling lights! Update the standard dome light (the "boob light") with this simple but stunning DIY crystal light fixture, inspired by Pottery Barn.
 
Excited? Me too! Read on for the tutorial, and if you’re battling with a different type of builder-grade light that you don’t love, here are some more light fixture updates for you to browse and get inspired (click on the picture to see the tutorial):
diy foyer drum shade chandelier with bold accent wall, Bliss At Home featured on Remodelaholic

add a drum shade to a ceiling light

DIY rope chandelier makeover, I Love That featured on Remodelaholic

wrap a chandelier with rope

mason jar pendant chandelier light from bathroom vanity light strip - The Summery Umbrella featured on @Remodelaholic

turn a vanity light strip into a rustic hanging pendant

 
 
Here’s Emily with the tutorial for her awesome Pottery Barn inspired crystal ceiling light!

How to Update a Flushmount Dome Ceiling Light with Chandelier Crystals
by Emily of My So-Called DIY Blog

Upgrade a standard builder grade flushmount ceiling light with crystals to look like a faceted Pottery Barn fixture
Hi! This is Emily from My-So Called DIY Blog, where I blog about refurbishing old furniture, like this laminate bookcase
laminate bookcase update - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

and building new pieces from scratch, like this faux fireplace and cabinets.

faux fireplace and built-in cabinets - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Today I’ll be showing you how to transform your builder’s grade “boob” lights into some elegant DIY Pottery Barn Mia Faceted-Crystal Flushmounts!

knockoff Pottery Barn MIA faceted crystal flushmount from a standard ceiling light - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic
use chandelier crystals to upgrade a standard flushmount ceiling light - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic
how to update a builder-grade light fixture with hanging crystals - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

I was longing to replace the lights in my hallway and stairwell, when I noticed that the structure of those lights looked just like the Mia Flushmount from Pottery Barn. The wheels started turning in my brain and I realized if I removed the domes and added some holes, I could attach strands of crystals on the lights I already had.

Materials Needed:

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  • Boob light (if you don’t already have one in your house, you could probably find one at a Habitat for Humanity Restore or thrift store. They are also at Wal-mart for $15-$20)
  • Can of oil rubbed bronze spray paint ($13; I was able to use this for all 4 lights that I redid)
  • Nail and Hammer or Dremmel tool with metal drill bit
  • Garland of acrylic crystal (I used some from Amazon for about $13; 30′ worked for 2 lights)
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Optional: yarn or string to help measure circumference
  • Optional: Sharpie

Cost: Since I already had the lights, I only spent $26 and had enough material for 2 lights

Time Needed: This went pretty fast, but it took about 2-3 days for one light. There was wait time for the paint to dry. I also had to take several breaks to get all the strands looped through the drilled holes (it makes your fingers get sore pretty fast).

Step 1: Make sure to turn off the electrical breaker going to your light. Unscrew the knob at the bottom and remove dome. Remove light from ceiling.

how to update a standard boob light - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

 how to update a standard boob light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 1 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 2: Remove the foil reflector piece. I used some Goo Gone to clean off some glue stuck to one of the lights. Tape off the inside of the light bulb socket.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 2 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 3: Measure the circumference of the light using a string. Divide that number by the number of crystal strands you want to attach (I used 20). I made 20 holes 1.25″ apart. You can cut your string to 1.25″ and use it to mark along the circle with a Sharpie where the holes will go.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 3 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 4: Use a hammer and finishing nail to hammer two rows of holes around the base circle. You need two rows to loop the metal part of the crystal strands through. It helps to put it on a hard surface, like cement, when you nail the holes in.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 4 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic
update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 5 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 5: Next you need to put holes in the smaller circle on the light. It helps to trace the circle on a piece of paper to help you figure out how to space things. Since I was making 20 holes, I could divide it by 5 and make a pentagon (the black dots). Then I divided each side in half (the red dots). Then I divided that space in half (the blue dots). Then I could more easily mark on the actual piece where I was going to put the holes. You only need to do one row on this piece because the wire on the acrylic chain will loop around the outside edge.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 6 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 6: Once you hammer all your holes, you’ll want to spray paint the fixture. I made the mistake of spray painting before making the holes. The metal dust got stuck in the newly painted surface and there was a little bit of chipping that had to be touched up afterwards anyway.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 7- My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 8- My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 7: Once you’ve given the paint plenty of time to dry, you can start attaching the crystal strands. I divided my garland into strands with 6 crystals each. I had some varying sized crystal garlands from a different project, so I used  them on one of my lights. On my other 3 lights I used crystals that were all the same size.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 9 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

I attached them to the smaller circle first.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 10 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Then I slid the small circle on the light and started to attach the outside pieces.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 11 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Step 8: Screw the round knob on the end and when you flip it over, gravity creates the nice rounded dome look.

update a standard dome ceiling light to look like Pottery Barn Mia crystal flushmount, step 12 - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic Working in between the crystal strands, you can then reattach it to the ceiling and add a pretty bulb.

how to turn a boob light into a Pottery Barn crystal flushmount fixture - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

This one has varying sized crystals

make a Pottery Barn knockoff Mia crystal strand flushmount light - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic
This one was made with same sized crystals
tutorial to make a flushmount boob light into a Pottery Barn knockoff Mia light with crystals - My So-Called DIY Blog on @Remodelaholic

Happy lighting!

———————

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Emily! Such a simple innovative update to a basic light!

Visit My So-Called DIY Blog for more from Emily — be sure to check out her kitchen makeover and how she adapted her cabinets to hold her beautiful farmhouse sink!

DIY Pottery Barn Mia Faceted Crystal Flushmount Updated Before And After And How To Featured On Remodelaholic.com

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Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

Published: February 26, 2015Filed Under: Before and After, Guest Bloggers, How To Tagged: chandelier, Guest Bloggers, Lighting

About Cass

Cassity started Remodelaholic with her husband, Justin, to share their love for knocking out walls together. Since then, Remodelaholic has become a great community and resource for all those wanting to know how to make their builder-grade home BEAUTIFUL on a budget!


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Comments

  1. Sheila Martinez says

    March 22, 2017 at 11:48 am

    I know his is an old post t was just wondering if changing out the bulbs when they burn out is a pain?

    Reply
    • Emily Ray says

      March 22, 2017 at 9:35 pm

      Not really. The crystal strands aren’t stiff so they move easily to the side of your hand.

      Reply
  2. Debbie Lalonde says

    May 4, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    Love this, have been searcching for an old chandelier to replace the boob light in my tweens room….this may be the end of my search! Do you think i could space more crystals closer together for a fuller look or would it be too crowded on the smaller end? I was thinking maybe join every 2 strands together and loop the V to the hole??

    Reply
    • Emily Ray says

      May 5, 2017 at 11:53 am

      That sounds like a great idea! Definitely worth a try!

      Reply
    • Michelle says

      May 6, 2019 at 5:26 am

      I’d love to know how that turned out!

      Reply
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Hey there, I am Cassity! Nice to virtually meet you!

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