How To Convert A Recessed Light To Hang A Chandelier

Many of you asked about the fixture shown in yesterday's post, so here is a recap of how it came to be hung in front of the hall closet.

This unique Comet Pendant was selected to hang in a future design studio that was in the works. However, due to the current economic environment and so many factors that would only bore you to read, that plan was set aside and I'm moving on to other ventures! (More on that in a couple days.)

I had purchased the fixture when a great sale was running at Horchow and needed to find a place to hang it until I opened the studio. Instead of putting it back in the box after opening, I let it continue to dangle from another fixture above the piano, getting confused looks from guests!

But once plans changed I had to figure out where to install the fixture in my home. Taking a tour around the house, the only place it made sense to hang the fixture was in this small hall off the family room. It was a good spot for a few reasons. First, the hall was a completely bland and forgotten little corner. Additionally, I had been wanting to bring more color and a bit of whimsy into the adjacent family room and kitchen, and this was a good start.

To hang the fixture I used a Recessed Fixture Converter, available at Home Depot in the track lighting section. I love this product! It allows you to quickly and inexpensively hang a light fixture where a recessed light is located.

As the recessed light hole is larger than the caps on most hanging fixtures a ceiling medallion is also needed. This would not be an issue if you were to hang a ceiling mount fixture.

To bring color into the hallway I decided to paint the medallion turquoise, a color similar to the fabric covering the slipper chair in the family room. (If you think this is a bad idea, read on.)

Next the recessed fixture was removed and replaced with a junction box using the conversion kit.

The medallion was then taped into place so that it wouldn't get in the way while the light fixture was installed.

After the pendant was hung I quickly inserted one bulb and ran out to flip the breaker switch in the garage, curious to see if the light worked!

Yes! And can you believe these outrageous shadows?

Then the rest of the bulbs were inserted. This took nearly as long as hanging the fixture!

Just one problem, the turquoise medallion. It was not working for me, at all. Just too much going on, creating a distraction.

So I pulled out the ladder, again, and repainted the medallion with a color to match the ceiling. Much much better.

I love it hanging here...a wonderful inspiration for other little updates to come.

Now...back to cleaning out what lies beyond this gorgeous light in that closet! More on the status of this organizing project soon.