I really wracked my brain when it came to figuring out our basement lighting. I didn’t want to replace all the work I had already done down here running wire etc. (Its basically poor man’s “recessed” lighting even though its just bare bulbs.) I also, certainly, didn’t want to spend a lot more money down here. After the ceilings, the walls and the floors we were already a good $2,500 into this project and I am fully aware how we could easily spend that entire amount on just one chandelier. I am also aware that that isn’t a lot to finish 500 square feet of living space I’m just VERY frugal and wanted to come up with something creative and inexpensive…
(Teaming up in our DIY Blog Hop this month with lighting projects! If you’re a blogger interested in joining us click here for more info!)
With the florescent light in the middle of the room the basement lighting was actually ideal in its own way.
It was bright, hard core and wouldn’t have been shy of giving enough light for surgery lol – which was totally great for finishing this space but way too harsh for what we wanted!
With the speak easy feel this space was evolving into I wanted to bring some warmth and moodiness down here. Lodi brought with him a couple of Edison bulb lamps from his bachelor days and, seriously, who doesn’t love Edison bulbs?!
Actually, they seemed the perfect solution!
So that was our first decision made sitting on the basement steps, me looking over Lodi’s shoulder as he scanned Amazon for a good deal on bulbs. Edison bulbs aren’t cheap but less than $50 for almost ALL of our basement lighting is a total steel!
While he was looking he stumbled upon an Amazon deal.
Ya know how when you go to purchase something Amazon sometimes includes something else that you might consider buying with it?
That is exactly how THIS CHANDELIER came into our lives!
We didn’t look at other chandeliers. We had barely even discussed what we were even going to do in the middle of the room! But it was absolutely PERFECT and less than $80 and came with all the Edison bulbs it needed!
First thing was first: all the little white bulb bases needed to be painted out black and the florescent light needed to be uninstalled. (In its place I installed a light box and we did even more touch up painting over and around everything.)
While Lodi was working on paint touch ups I replaced all of the bulbs in the basement with 40 wat Edison bulbs and I was totally thrilled with how it was looking.
Lodi started this project in March when he moved in. When we got these lights up it was late September.
7 months of work. 7 months of feeling like we were getting this space done at a crawl. 7 months to be able to move in Lodi’s furniture from the garage and a lot of my own.
7 months to spread out and actually get to use our garage again!
It was a REALLY good moment for us and completing our basement lighting was the last step.
There’s a ton still to do down here but none of it has a deadline like this living room did. I can’t wait to show you how the space turned into our very own speak easy and theater room!
Wow, I love the ambience and atmosphere you’ve created in your basement DIY endeavor! What a fun project for you two to do together and merge your furniture and belongings, too!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Thank you so much Niky!
Tarah! I LOVE that chandelier, and I can’t wait to see what else you do with that space. So fun hopping and creating with you my friend. Oh and I told my sister when she came to visit over Thanksgiving (she lives in Milaca), that my next visit over to see her, I hope to venture up to see you!
That would be great Chas! Happy December!
I love edison bulbs and this chandelier is absolutely perfect for this space. Seriously so smart and I’m loving the price tag. Great job! So happy to be hopping with you today.
Thank you Kim, great to be hopping with you too!
What a difference those lights make!! I love the chandelier! Can’t wait to see the finished space! It will be so amazing!
Thank you so much Kristin!
Tarah, I look forward every month to see what project you have completed on your Grandma’s house. You never disappoint with how you keep the house as original as possible, yet updating it for a modern family. Your Grandma would be proud. I wish I lived in my Grandma’s house too.
Merry Christmas,
Kippi
Ps. pinned
Thank you so much Kippi! I look forward to your amazing posts every week, happy holidays!