A $3 Lighting Solution (sort of)

A few weeks ago, I had an idea for what I hoped would be a cheap lighting solution for our study.  It was simple.  All I needed to do was procure a large, drum shaped lampshade.  I would remove the old light fixture and attach the shade in its place.  Brilliant, right?

Oh, yeah.  Everyone from YoungHouseLove to Ikea to upscale designers thought so.  DIYers had done it time and time again, and Ikea and the other designers had produced shades specifically for this purpose.  For example, here is really beautiful example from Shades of Light, for $179.

So, two or three thrift stores later, I found a $3 solution at Goodwill.  That's right.  Three American dollars.  And that actually included a very large and very gaudy lamp that I donated back to Goodwill immediately after removing the shade.  While it wasn't exactly the drum shade I was looking for, it was close enough.

This is what we started with.

After removing the bowl, we found this.

Unfortunately, after unscrewing the metal plate, we found that, although there is a center hole in the plate itself, there is a bar running across the plate that does not have a hole.  Also, this plate is covered with insulation, thus making it difficult to work with.  So, we threw around some ideas, came up with some good thoughts, and ended up propping the shade up on the lightbulb bases (forgive my inadequate terminology) until we figured it out.  Hence...

Three weeks later, we haven't made any attempts a longer term solution.  When we figure something out, I'll let you know.  Or, if you have a great idea, let me know.  Also, I now feel that we need to secure some fabric or something to the bottom to both diffuse light and make for a more attractive underside viewing.

If you're wondering, the paint color is Fisherman's Wharf by Allen + Roth and is available at Lowes.  

The rugs are from Target.  They are so cozy!