PHOTOS: A Clever Use For This Mystery Vintage Find

Dickson Wong
Updated


Photo by Kristine Larsen

Stylelist Home is proud to present a project-a-day from the fabulous new bookThis Old House Salvage Style Projectsby Amy Hughes.

There's no denying the decorative detailing and architectural appeal that you see in old wrought-iron railings, gates and fences. And we find this aged beauty in this light piece, which consists of a vintage register cover that has been repurposed into a captivating wall sconce. Low-cost and simple, this DIY creation is certain to instantly add old-world flair to any room.

TITLE:Use a Register Cover to Make a Light Fixture

TIME:1 Hour
COST:$40
SKILL LEVEL:Easy

SUPPLIES:
Register cover
Wood for a frame
Corded light socket
Lampshade fabric
Wood glue
Finishing nails
Decorative screws
Cabinet hinge or picture hanger

TOOLS:
Drill/driver
1/4-Inch bit
Paddle bit
Utility knife

Step 1: Make the frame.
Glue and nail together wood strips sized to the inner dimension of the register cover decorative grille.

Step 2: Drill a hole for the socket's cord.
Use a 1/4-inch bit to bore a hole in the frame's bottom, and snake the cord through (unscrew the socket to disconnect the wires).

Step 3: Seat the socket in the frame.
To ensure that it fits snuggly inside, fit your drill driver with a paddle and widen the inner side of the hole.

Step 4: Line the register cover's back with lampshade fabric.
Size the fabric the inner dimensions of the grille, and insert to hide the bulb and diffuse the light.

Step 5: Secure the register cover.
Using its existing screw holes, fasten the cover to the frame with wood screws.

Step 6: Hang the sconce.
Secure a cabinet hinge to the top of the frame with screws to serve as a decorative picture hanger, and install the sconce using the right fastener for your wall type.

Missed our earlier features on our favorite projects fromThis Old House Salvage-Style Projects? Here's a quick recap.

This project is from the new book This Old House Salvage Style Projects.
This project is from the new book This Old House Salvage Style Projects.

Pier Mirror

This stunning mirror is a creative DIY take on the classic Victorian pier mirror. <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2011/10/12/this-old-house-salvage-style-projects-pier-mirror_n_1007370.html" target="_hplink">Click here</a> for step-by-step instructions.

Door Headboard

From afar, it's impossible to tell that this Craftsman-style headboard was made from a door found at a salvage yard. <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2011/10/13/this-old-house-salvage-style-projects-door-headboard_n_1009499.html" target="_hplink">Click here</a> for the how-to.

Faucet Handle Towel Rack

Made from grainy barn wood, ornate cast-iron brackets, and discarded porcelain cross-handle faucets, this low-cost project will certainly give your bathroom a touch of vintage charm. <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2011/10/14/this-old-house-salvage-style-projects-faucet-handle-towel-rack_n_1011247.html" target="_hplink">Click here</a> for the full tutorial.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.