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| Lantern with Candles (leave top open) |
Do you like those decorative lanterns that you see at Pottery Barn and other trendy stores? I do. They seem more interesting to me than a cloche or apothecary jar. Since lanterns are usually bigger, you can easily put larger items in them for more visual impact.
I love these with a couple of candles inside. Since the top is open, it works find for a burning candle. Add flowers or seasonal decor next to the lantern for a very attractive vignette or table centerpiece.
Use any cheap frames for this and spray paint them whatever color you like.
The very clever blogger at While He Was Napping figured out a way to make a lantern that costs about $5. That’s a lot cheaper than the usual $40 you’ll see at the stores.
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| Lanterns with Sea Shells |
She used four dollar store picture frames glued together and then applied vinyl strips for the faux leaded solder. I’m thinking you could probably find some vinyl tape the right width that would be easy to use too. Check the craft store for the tape. They probably have metallic tape too if you want it to match a metallic frame.
This lantern has no top, but you can probably add a piece of wood painted the same color as the frames. This is a good place to upcycle various items stacked and glued to the top to give a look you like. Painted the same color, it will look great. Don’t glue the top to the lantern so that you can remove it when you fill the lantern. Also, keep the top off whenever you have a lit candle inside. Two lanterns with lit candles look wonderful on a table or mantel for a special occasion.
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| DIY Lantern from Picture Frames |
Fill your lantern with seasonal items and/or themed items for holidays, parties, or just to accent your decor. Candles, flowers, pine cones, mini-pumpkins, greenery, sea shells, figurines, ornaments, etc. all look great. Click here to see a lantern decorated for Fall/Thanksgiving. They painted it with Rustoleum’s Hammered Dark Bronze. Choose a paint color that will work with the arrangements you anticipate using.
Click here for the tutorial to make the lantern. This is my kind of decor: cheap, easy, and chic. Just about any arrangement works and the lantern really draws attention to it. It looks good just about any place you put it, adding architectural interest. I can see a cherished small teddy bear with some bright ornaments and small toys for Christmas. Have fun with this!
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