Every small space benefits from a layer of sparkle and shine. Here’s a way to do it on a dime with simple patio string lights!
Dress-Up Lighting
Once you get the practical task and fill lights set in your space, it’s time layer in dress-up lighting that can come from candles or string lights; their sole purpose is to sprinkle a space with a little glow and a hint of glamour.
Before
Shopping the Family Vault
Gathering dust in my mother’s garage was a box full of vintage lighting that she had collected from the 40s, 50s and 60s. My eye went right to a well-worn wall sconce that was missing a hanging lantern. I didn’t want to spend the time or money to rewire it, so I wrapped a string of lights from Target and gave it a new home.
Tips
• Since the sconce was gold, spray paint the light cord the same color gold (without the light bulbs screwed in) to keep it camouflaged. Place a painter’s tape over the socket opening to keep paint from seeping in. Each bulb socket includes a clip, which makes it easy to attach the lights to the branches of the sconce.
• To magnify the shine from the lights, consider hanging the sconce in front of a large mirror in a foyer or living room.
• Plug the string lights into a plug-in dimmer for extra control over mood lighting.
