For a few dollars you can transform an existing wall sconce into an artistic conversation piece by making a new shade from hardware cloth and decorative art paper. The combination of the grid-patterned metal backed by colorful textured paper gives a corner a warm glow. Materials:
Inexpensive wall sconce
Hardware cloth with 1/4" grid pattern
Tin snips
Scissors
Optional: protective gloves
Decorative art paper
White glue
Foam brush for applying glue
- Remove the shade from your wall sconce, and use the form to cut a piece of hardware cloth that will form the base of the new shade. Cut the hardware cloth with tin snips to the same width as the original shade and about 2" longer. The edges will be sharp, so you may want to wear protective gloves for this step.
- Make a 1" folded hem at each end of the hardware cloth. Use the edge of a table or a straightedge to get the crease (figure A), but don't fold the hem flat until the decorative paper is applied.
Note: - A wide variety of decorative art papers is available. Our example features Thai Unryu paper -- purple on one side and blue on the other -- with long, swirly mulberry-bark fibers running through it.
- Cut a piece of decorative paper to the finished size of the shade, and attach it to the hardware cloth with white glue. Use a foam brush to spread glue evenly on the side of the cloth that will face out (the purple side in our example), and set the sticky side of the paper against the hardware cloth, fitting it under the partially folded hems. Smooth the paper in place in place with your hands (figure B), and press the folded hems of the hardware cloth flat with your fingers (figure C).
- Trim any excess paper from the edge of the hardware cloth.
- Roll the shade into a half-moon shape, and attach it to the existing light fixture. Make sure to use only a low-watt bulb with this fixture.
| 
)
)
)
)
