DIY Paint Swatch Chandelier

A paint-swatch chandelier? I think so :)

{Step 1} You’ll need a whole bunch of paint swatches in your desired colours (seriously, emphasis on the whole bunch part). I picked a variety of blush, pink and red hues so I could get a fancy ombre look to my chandelier but I can only imagine how many different looks you could go for with your own chandelier. Using a scalloped paper punch you’ll need to punch about 40 -60 swatches into little medallions. Keep the medallions divided by colours in little saucers or cups like below.

{Step 2} I bought my lamp shade (my chandelier base) from Lowes for about 5 bucks. Using an Exacto knife and super sharp metal scissors I carefully cut apart the fabric lamp shade, peeling away the pieces until the metal parts were as exposed as possible. When picking out a lamp shade I tried to pick out one where the bottom diameter is much smaller than the top. This will make your layers of paint swatch medallions hang better and thus look much better when the final product is done.

{Step 3} Lay out your paint medallions, coloured side down, in the desired order. Tape down a long piece of coloured thread along the middle of the backs of each medallion. Then using a piece of tape, cut down the center width wise, tape together the edges where one medallion meets the next. Without this final piece of tape, the medallions with rotate on their piece of thread, thus showing the bar codes, text and colour names usually located on the backs of the paint swatches. If that doesn’t bother you then this step isn’t necessary! Repeat this step until all of your chandelier strands are strung and taped together.

{Step 4} Flip your lamp shade upside down and fasten it somewhere where it can hang freely (I tied mine to the latch that opens and closes our air vent in our ceiling). Start stringing on your strands along the perimeter of the bottom of the chandelier until the entire metal base is covered. Then start stringing strands along the widest ‘top’ of your chandelier so that the lowest part of your strand hits the mid point of the bottom layer. Continue this all the way around until the entire chandelier is covered. Add a ribbon to the metal pieces (where the light bulb would pop in) and voila! You’re ready to hang this beauty!

Thanks to Jenna for the photos, as always. Hope everyone had the sweetest long weekend ever! Big hugs to you all xoxo

171

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171 comments on DIY Paint Swatch Chandelier

Aleah + Nick Valley on September 6, 2011 at 4:12 am

Positively adorable! What a charming idea! Love how it’s ombre, too. :)
Kristen on September 6, 2011 at 4:24 am

This is gorgeous! Love the tutorial, and creative process! I hope Lowe’s sees this, and will not come after you, but offer you to post the tutorial for their customers!
ashley on September 6, 2011 at 4:30 am

SO cute!! pink ombre and scalloped edges means i’m bookmarking this one for SURE!

xo
Neallie on September 6, 2011 at 4:31 am

LOVING this DIY Rhi. A chandelier without sparkles? You made it happen and it is too cute for words! Your nails are super cute too, look at you!
Aletha VanderMaas on September 6, 2011 at 5:29 am

How adorable is this?! Great job – wish I had someplace fun to hang one of these!!!!
melanie Rebane photography on September 6, 2011 at 6:11 am

I suspect orders for paint chips will be going up with this lovely DIY wedding project…LOVE it!
Katy on September 6, 2011 at 8:40 am

This is soooo cute! Love it!
Keri @ Blue-Eyed Runner on September 6, 2011 at 10:16 am

You are amazingly creative! How did you come up with this idea?! Beautiful! Have a lovely one! xo
Jenny ~ Something Old, Something New on September 6, 2011 at 10:37 am

You are just so creative – I LOVE this idea!
Lisa on September 6, 2011 at 11:47 am

SO cute, Rhi!! I don’t know how you come up with all these amazing DIY ideas…they’re all so unique and so you! Also loving your Hey Gorg-colored nails :) Hope you had a great long weekend!
Lisa xoxo
Jessica [Shimmer+Silk] on September 6, 2011 at 12:57 pm

This is amazing!! SO creative and absolutely adorable!
And, yes, your mani is FAB xo
Laura *You Stir Me* on September 6, 2011 at 1:02 pm

so this is what you had up your sleeve! Super adorable and very budget friendly. I love this for a baby’s room or maybe a pretty pretty girl cave in a new house ;)
Brooke Hostetler on September 6, 2011 at 1:37 pm

Of course this is super cute!! I might even try to do one of these for Little One’s room :D
Amma // Beyond Beyond on September 6, 2011 at 2:07 pm

This is gorgeous! I love your DIY posts :)
Natalie on September 6, 2011 at 2:20 pm

YAYY! I’ve been waiting for another DIY project! Adorable!
Nora on September 6, 2011 at 2:25 pm

Awesome job! I could see this being easier with larger paint chips or even the ones with the three tones, that way you can steal less. ;) I’m saving all my paint chips from now on so I can do one of the amazing projects that keep popping up online!
I LOVE all the new DIY projects! Keep them coming, you are so creative! And of course, I love your amazing nails! I can’t even go a day without chipping!
Victoria Derrick on September 6, 2011 at 3:43 pm

SIMPLY AMAZING!!!! :) :)
Ashley {Lemon and Lavender} on September 6, 2011 at 3:44 pm

RHI!!!! You are so fun! I love it and all DIY projects! fabulous!!! Happy Tuesday!
postcards and pretties on September 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm

so fliping cute and easy!
I think my local Lowes is going to have some missing paint samples this weekend! ;)
Holly on September 6, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Saw your three wishes at Ten June today and had to come over to check out your blog – so glad I did this DIY chandy is so great!! I need to keep a little wedding inspiration in my life so new reader ;)
birdie to be on September 6, 2011 at 5:19 pm

SO pretty! You are so creative!
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Koru Kate on September 6, 2011 at 5:52 pm

I’m probably on my Home Depot’s radar after my last paint swatch project but this is so sweet & adorable that I may risk another trip ;-)
chandra ~ oh lovely day on September 6, 2011 at 5:57 pm

LOVE! pretty and easy.
Alessandra on September 6, 2011 at 6:10 pm

so cute!
Christine on September 6, 2011 at 7:31 pm

I LOVE this idea, Rhi! You could totally rock this as a mobile in a nursery too.

And your nails always looks so pretty :)
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Brit @ Landlocked Bride on September 6, 2011 at 9:35 pm

Cute and easy! The perfect DIY project!
Lauren @ ELD on September 6, 2011 at 9:37 pm

Looooove! :)
erin * sparkle & hay on September 6, 2011 at 10:12 pm

ooooh… in the name of all things adorable – LOVE this!!! xo
Liesl on September 6, 2011 at 10:17 pm

Oh Rhiannon, what will you think of next?!? I LOVE this idea…so, so crafty! I always look at those pain swatches and think about things to do with them, but this lovely idea never even graced my mind for a moment…beautiful! I am sure Lowes will not mind at all…you and your idea are too adorable for that! :)

Liesl :)
Alicia @CharityWedding on September 6, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Seriously adorable! I have gathered STACKS of paint chips in the past in my hunt for the perfect color! I felt way more guilty about that because I just threw them away. This is a great use of them and just amazing in general!
michaela on September 6, 2011 at 10:54 pm

SUCH a fun project, Rhi! i knew I would love it from the second you told me about it (: Pretty in pink!!
Lena on September 6, 2011 at 11:25 pm

This is all KINDS of crazy cute-you are too good!
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Naomi {the other Naomi} on September 7, 2011 at 2:43 am

Perfect….love the affect and let’s just say lovely manicure! :-)
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jackie on September 7, 2011 at 10:19 pm

genius idea, but more importantly, i love your nails! they’re the perfect shade and so flawless. jealous.
Amber Burton on September 8, 2011 at 12:38 am

This such an awesome idea! I love it!
Colleen / Inspired to Share on September 8, 2011 at 12:50 am

There have been some amazing projects with paint chip swatches lately….this one is no exception! Beautiful photos. xo
simi on September 8, 2011 at 12:58 am

Oh I am SO going to do that! <3 Love the colors
xoxo
simi
natasha {schue love} on September 8, 2011 at 5:38 am

LOVE the chambray effect! Very pretty!
natasha {schue love} on September 8, 2011 at 5:39 am

And by chambray I really mean ombre! Oops!
katie [the bright life] on September 8, 2011 at 9:55 pm

LOVE this, so so sweet, especially with that pretty satin ribbon on top. Feeling totally inspired! Keep the beautiful DIYs coming, girl! Xo, Katie
Andrea Howe on September 9, 2011 at 5:44 am

So pretty, and I love your nails :)
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ChrisC on September 9, 2011 at 11:07 am

So cute!
Jessica@TWB on September 9, 2011 at 2:36 pm

Love!
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Amanda @ Serenity Now on September 11, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Fabulous!!! Great photos too. :)
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Phyllis {LuxeFinds} on September 12, 2011 at 11:37 pm

Just adorable! A project I’ll have to do with my daughter one weekend!
Fiona @ oh gorgeous baby on September 12, 2011 at 11:38 pm

I giggled with the thought of you running from the store clutching paint swatches :)
This is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing how to make it.
Shannon A on September 12, 2011 at 11:45 pm

Oh fun project!!! Would you be willing to share the colors for your awesome manicure?!? :)
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Nancy Pfeifer on September 13, 2011 at 5:26 am

WOW!!! Cutest DIY I have seen lately!!! Gorgeous!!!
Nancy Pfeifer on September 13, 2011 at 5:27 am

adorable!! love it!
shiori on September 13, 2011 at 11:25 am

It’s just so awesome! BUT, I LOVE your nails (totally off track)!
Lauren on September 13, 2011 at 12:57 pm

I think this project is adorable! A fun use of materials for sure:-)
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Make handmade on September 20, 2011 at 2:20 pm

Love it. Thanks for sharing
Joksie on September 20, 2011 at 6:35 pm

this is too cute we will be making this at papercraft club this week!
The Single Nester on September 20, 2011 at 8:11 pm

The things you can do with paint chips! I also posted about some artwork I created from paint chips.
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bby (squareby's corner) on October 2, 2011 at 4:23 am

Ack. Why did I discard all my old paint chips when I moved? Very cute, love the look of the pink gradient.
Casey on October 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm

this is beautiful! My daughter is about to move into her own room, I’m going to make her one of these.
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Lindsay on October 17, 2011 at 6:59 am

Thanks for sharing, this is awesome! I featured it on my blog yesterday, feel free to check it out.
http://artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-5-think.html
Sarah on October 18, 2011 at 6:35 am

Hey I have no idea if this has been asked, but I’m curious as to what size the lamp shade is? And what department in Lowes did you find the bare shade frame in? I looked in Home Depot today but maybe I didn’t look good enough (and, of course, there wasn’t any employees around to ask). Thanks in advanced! I love this project and I plan on starting ASAP after I get my shade frame and a paper punch!! I grabbed a WHOLE BUNCH of paint swatches from Walmart… and I’ll emphasize on a WHOLE BUNCH too, haha!!
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Art and Home on October 28, 2011 at 12:01 am

What a sweet idea and very ‘doable’ too. Definitely a project to file away for the school holidays.
Courtney Dellafiora on October 28, 2011 at 10:23 pm

You are so awesome!!!!!
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Rachel on November 7, 2011 at 12:39 am

Oh wow, it’s stunning! I love the ombre effect. I would also love to link to this if you didn’t mind!
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Courtney {a thoughtful place} on November 7, 2011 at 4:19 pm

Are you kidding me? That is adorable. And I just took ten shades off of a chandy I have so I have all of those hidden frames. Didn’t even know. I must try this. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
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Jamie B. on December 15, 2011 at 8:56 pm

I love this so much! Thank you for sharing… it’s beautiful! Hope you don’t mind, I’ve featured it on my blog today. Thanks so much for sharing. Here is my blog:

http://crafteronabudget.blogspot.com/2011/12/super-cute-paint-sample-crafts.html

Thank you!
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Rebekah on December 24, 2011 at 5:23 pm

This is fantastic! Working on something similar with fabric… But couldn’t find a base.. Will check lowes for sure! Thanks for posting oh and what beautiful pictures!
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Emily M. on January 5, 2012 at 12:27 pm

this is the best idea!

** one question though: where did you get your hole punch??!

thanks :D
Emily M. on January 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm

adorable!

where did you get your hole punch?!
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Tara on January 10, 2012 at 2:32 am

How many individual strands do you have? Home Depot is already suspicious…
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Lori on January 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm

This is such an adorable idea….and almost free! I’m glad that “My Covered Bridge” sent me over to you. I’m now following your great blog by mail. Please stop by and visit and follow if you like, cause’ I love meeting great new blog friends. Lori
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Natasha Salazar on February 15, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Will this work with a light bulb in it too? Or is that a fire-hazard? Would LOVE to make this for my kids’ rooms as an ACTUAL functioning light fixture. How would that work? I’m nervous. I LOVE THIS!!!
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Amber on March 10, 2012 at 5:23 am

Making this for my friend as a babyshower gift!! Thank you so much for the fabulous idea!!
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Inspire Me Heather on April 7, 2012 at 12:27 pm

That does look so pretty – lovely chandy! I have this linked to my ombre post too today, well done!
Virginie on April 20, 2012 at 4:55 pm

Thank you so much for this tutorial, what a gorgeous chandelier !
I have blogged and linked back to you from http://thatcutelittlecake.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you
Virginie @ That Cute Little Cake
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tere on April 29, 2012 at 11:06 pm

I am so making this. I love it.
Donna Range on May 3, 2012 at 3:30 pm

Can this actually be used? I would love to make for my daughter room and hang from her ceiling light?

Thanks
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Lisa Scheper on June 6, 2012 at 4:24 pm

Love this. And your nails! What kind/color nail polish is that if you don’t mind my asking.
X a k i on June 12, 2012 at 4:15 pm

I was just curious, do you know how well this type of craft could handle a light bulb in it?
Like if you were to have a light already in the ceiling or something and wanted to use the chandelier around it, would the paint swatch papers get too hot for that?
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Julia on July 7, 2012 at 4:50 pm

What a lovely idea! I love it
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Mellissa de Oliveira on July 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm

Love this awesome idea! I always steal paint chips thinking they definitely would be good for a project….now I have one. I hope it would be ok to share this project with my readers, for proper credit of course. And as everyone else, totally loving that manicure color!
Thanks,
Mellissa
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kayleigh on July 16, 2012 at 8:13 am

Hi! I loved this so much I made 2 variations of it! I put the cut outs back to back on the string and now it’s a mobile in my baby’s room! I did a variation of colors and it’s really great!! All of the little pieces twirl softly and perfectly! Thank you for the idea! (also, I used color-aid paper because I had SO much left over from art school!)
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Christie O. {Mountainside Bride} on August 2, 2012 at 12:43 pm

You are brilliant! NOt only is this a rad project, but it’s also beautifully shot. You and Jenna make a great team!
Julia on August 5, 2012 at 10:08 am

Just wanted to let you know I mentioned this DIY on my blog!
Take a look :)
http://fightoff-yourdemons.blogspot.de/2012/08/5-great-diys.html

Julia
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RookieMom Whitney on August 9, 2012 at 9:40 pm

So pretty! I have shared one of your photos and linked to it from the Babycenter blog. Let me know if you have any issue with that!
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Abel on September 10, 2012 at 6:58 am

Brilliant!
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Melissa Charlebois on September 28, 2012 at 4:58 pm

Absolutely adorable. Thank you so much. What a perfect way to add splashes of color to any room!
James on October 1, 2012 at 9:51 pm

Thank you for sharing. It looks terrific! Very creative too!
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Jessica on December 21, 2012 at 6:21 am

Question. Do you hang this from the bow and not put a bulb in it?? Or do u use it as lamp shade and use a bulb??
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Angela @ CreativeBlossoming.com on March 28, 2013 at 12:17 am

Hello! I featured your lovely project in the Pastels edition of my blog series, Get Your Color On!

http://creativeblossoming.com/2013/03/27/get-your-color-on-pastels/
Lizzie on March 31, 2013 at 3:29 am

so cool but seriously what do i use to stick it on there this is a great idea and stuff but really the pictures are out of order and sort of confused me. please take notice and change this so i can do this amazing DIY project! by the way LOVE the color choices you picked out. pink ombre is amazing love the choices you picked. good job! keep up the good work i will be looking at this website more often because it is amazing and totally creative DIY projects! anyways thanks for everthing! – Stay Beautiful
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