Creating Outdoor Bamboo Lighting

In my opinion, we live in the best little spot in Nashville.  It's a wooded area that is peaceful but still close to everything.  Our neighbors are great and we couldn't be happier here.  We love sitting outside so we decided we needed some more cohesive lighting.  We have had some string lights up but they just weren't doing the job...enter our newest project...Hanging Bamboo Lights.  We wanted something modern yet natural and decided to make them ourselves.  Since we don't have Bamboo in our yard I called upon my awesome MOMS club friends and asked if anyone else did and of course my mama's came through for us!  I wish I had some video of me chopping these bamboo stalks down because that sure was a site to see.

 
The first step is to split these shoots down the middle so we can get the cord all the way through.  We used a few tools before we finally got it right.
The ALABAMA knife did the trick.

We used lights that my man had left over from a music video shoot.  They are super inexpensive and we picked them up for a few dollars each at the Home Depot.  
Once they are strung we fastened them together with cable ties to keep everything in place.
We then covered the cable ties with rope to hide those hideous plastic ties.
 A little hot glue and a few burns later...they start to come together.
To us the silver just wasn't blending in and it made them look..um..cheap so we painted them with Rustoleum's Aged Copper spray paint.
 I think the best part of the light is this awesome vintage type bulb.  We also picked this up at the Home Depot for about $10 a piece.  I know that's expensive for one bulb but to me it was totally worth it since we had everything else on hand.
 
Here they are in all of their glory...


 And then the sun started to set just right for these photos.

Not bad, right?  Especially when you figure we paid less than $50 for three outdoor lights when you factor in bulbs, wiring, etc.  We couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  We love them so much we're thinking of adding them to our patio as well.  Do you have anything in your yard you could turn into a light?
xo,
Danielle
Creating with the Stars
Linking up to:

Photobucket
The Thrifty Groove
Consider Me Inspired
Beyond The Picket Fence
Home Stories A2Z

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Our Tennessee Life ...formerly The Retail DIYet: Creating Outdoor Bamboo Lighting

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Creating Outdoor Bamboo Lighting

In my opinion, we live in the best little spot in Nashville.  It's a wooded area that is peaceful but still close to everything.  Our neighbors are great and we couldn't be happier here.  We love sitting outside so we decided we needed some more cohesive lighting.  We have had some string lights up but they just weren't doing the job...enter our newest project...Hanging Bamboo Lights.  We wanted something modern yet natural and decided to make them ourselves.  Since we don't have Bamboo in our yard I called upon my awesome MOMS club friends and asked if anyone else did and of course my mama's came through for us!  I wish I had some video of me chopping these bamboo stalks down because that sure was a site to see.

 
The first step is to split these shoots down the middle so we can get the cord all the way through.  We used a few tools before we finally got it right.
The ALABAMA knife did the trick.

We used lights that my man had left over from a music video shoot.  They are super inexpensive and we picked them up for a few dollars each at the Home Depot.  
Once they are strung we fastened them together with cable ties to keep everything in place.
We then covered the cable ties with rope to hide those hideous plastic ties.
 A little hot glue and a few burns later...they start to come together.
To us the silver just wasn't blending in and it made them look..um..cheap so we painted them with Rustoleum's Aged Copper spray paint.
 I think the best part of the light is this awesome vintage type bulb.  We also picked this up at the Home Depot for about $10 a piece.  I know that's expensive for one bulb but to me it was totally worth it since we had everything else on hand.
Here they are in all of their glory...


 And then the sun started to set just right for these photos.

Not bad, right?  Especially when you figure we paid less than $50 for three outdoor lights when you factor in bulbs, wiring, etc.  We couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  We love them so much we're thinking of adding them to our patio as well.  Do you have anything in your yard you could turn into a light?
xo,
Danielle
Linking up to:

Photobucket
The Thrifty Groove
Consider Me Inspired
Beyond The Picket Fence
Home Stories A2Z

Labels:

20 Comments:

At February 22, 2013 at 5:58 AM , Blogger Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

Love it....great job!

 
At February 22, 2013 at 7:57 AM , Anonymous Jo @ Let's Face the Music said...

I've got to work this idea into our summer outdoor decor. So sleek. Jo @ Let's Face the Music

 
At February 22, 2013 at 10:25 AM , Blogger kellyporter said...

Awesome and so simple!

 
At February 22, 2013 at 10:25 AM , Blogger kellyporter said...

Awesome & so simple!

 
At February 22, 2013 at 1:54 PM , Anonymous Rachel s said...

They are awesome!!!! Good job guys:))))

 
At February 25, 2013 at 11:01 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

the copper color looks awesome with your house color. These are fabulous. I made curtain rods out of old tiki bamboo rods when we first moved to this house. Still have them up and still love them. :)

 
At February 25, 2013 at 10:29 PM , Blogger Karen at Bargain-ista.com said...

Oh my goodness - your lights are beautiful! I have used those kind of spotlights and could never have imagined they would have the potential to be so gorgeous! Amazing :)

 
At February 26, 2013 at 6:49 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

What a great idea. Thank you for sharing your creativity. Blessings, Patti@OldThingsNew

 
At February 26, 2013 at 6:27 PM , Blogger Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

What a creative idea and I love your new lights. Check out this weeks Open House party to see your lights featured. Thanks for sharing and I am a new follower. xx, Sherry

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:51 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thank you, Christine!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:51 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

It was super easy! Thanks, Jo!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:51 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thanks, Chul!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:51 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thanks, Rachie!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:53 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thanks, Lynn! Curtain rods sound amazing!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:53 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thanks so much, Karen!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:53 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thanks so much, Patti!

 
At February 26, 2013 at 7:54 PM , Blogger Our Tennessee Life said...

Thank you so much, Sherry!

 
At March 1, 2013 at 9:46 AM , Blogger Diann said...

These are so awesome! I love them! It has been a very busy week for me so, I am just now catching up from last week's party. Sorry to be so late! Thank you for sharing at TTF

 
At March 21, 2013 at 6:36 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

I love the natural effect that these outdoor lighting fixtures give. They create a warm ambiance in the outdoor space. This is such a creative, resourceful and affordable idea. Kudos! ->Allison Shallenberger

 
At July 12, 2013 at 12:04 AM , Anonymous Commercial Lighting Chicago said...

i love the style, its pretty simple and its easy to do..i love to try it at home in our province..i am sure many would also adore it..

 

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